Allow me to introduce myself...

The Do’s and Don’ts of an Introductory Paragraph:

As the saying goes, “You have one chance to make a first impression.”  Whether you intend to top off your resume with a dynamic cover letter, or publish the next bestseller, put your best face forward by following these rules of writing a powerful introductory paragraph:

• DO:   Believe in yourself.  Convince your reader that you know your stuff.  If you’re seeking employment, write a few sentences that demonstrate your ability to do a great job.  Essay writers should express a few words that show your experience or knowledge about the genre or audience you appeal to.  For example, a pastor might mention one or two Christian experiences that led him to write a religious article or book.  
• DON’T:   Apologize.  Never convey uncertainty about your main topic; or give the impression that you aren’t enough of an expert in this matter to express your opinion.  Avoid contrite phrases like the following: “You may not agree, but…”  "I'm not sure about this, but I'll give it a shot anyway." 
• DO:   Mention your goals.  In your topic sentence, state your overall intentions and leave room for your reader perceive your purpose.  In other words, whet the reader’s appetite just enough to cause them to want to read more of what you have written.
• DON’T:  Fully announce your intent.  Keep your introduction short and sweet.  Avoid statements like the following:  In this article, I will . . .  The purpose of this study is to . . .
• DO:   Keep it positive.  Avoid negation or phrases that cancel out the other.
• DON’T:  Begin with “I’m not suggestion…” or, “I don’t want you to think…”
• DO:   Appeal to your reader by providing a bit of personal experience or expertise.
• DON’T:  Refer to dictionary or encyclopedia definitions.  Webster’s Avoid statements such as, Webster's Dictionary defines integration as…
• DO:    Move confidently between each sentence.
• DON’T:  Dawdle.  Avoid insignificant information or details. 
• DO:   Spell correctly.  Sometimes, just one misplaced letter can change the entire meaning of a word, e.g.,  sacred…scared
• DON’T:  Rely solely on your computer’s spell check feature.     
• DO:   Question yourself.  If you aren’t sure of the difference between an em dash or a hyphen, or how many dots are in an ellipses, do your research and the right answer.
• DON’T:  Guess how to add proper punctuation.