The writing starts with the introduction. In this part, the topic to be dealt with must be presented, without much explanation. Therefore, the introduction should be succinct, occupying about 10% of the text.
The first thing you need to do is present the points that will be covered in your essay. It is very important to start out clearly and objectively, and without straying from the topic.
To start an essay:
- Present the points that will be covered;
- Have a list of ready-made phrases;
- Be clear and objective.
1. Present the points that will be covered
After reading the introduction, the reader should know exactly what the topic of the essay is. Nobody should guess what they find throughout your text, because that should be very clear right from the start.
For example, imagine that you have to write an essay-argumentative essay about teenage problems, and you choose to write about two things: low self-esteem and communication with parents.
When reading the introduction, the reader will know that your text will not address drugs or other problems, because in a universe of so many problems in adolescence, you have listed only two.
So you can start by writing something like this:
“It is likely that, among the problems faced in adolescence, low self-esteem and communication with parents are generally the most frequent. At this stage of life, teenagers do not have a good perception of themselves and, therefore, fear that their problems will be ridiculed by their parents, driving them away from a more communicative relationship.".
Regarding the writing of Enem, one of the competences evaluated is the understanding of the proposal. So, if you don't mention what was requested in the proposal right away in the introduction, it will show that you will be running away from the topic. This means that if the proposal is about fruits, you shouldn't write about vegetables.
2. Have a list of ready-made phrases
Having a list of words and phrases that fit very well at the beginning of a text can help. Examples:
- Possibly
- for the purpose of
- taking into account
- It's indisputable
- Much is discussed about
After all, many times you already have the idea, but you don't know how to put it down on paper. So, just find the right word or phrase to start your writing.
To help you more, read Words and phrases to start an essay.
3. be clear and objective
The initial part of the essay-argumentative writing must objectively and bluntly state what the person who is going to read the text will find in it. Just say that, without going into explanations, after all, explanations are part of the development and conclusion.
The introduction is the time to capture the reader's attention, so don't make it up. Be clear about what the reader will find in the text. Mentioning things that won't be addressed is a broken promise, and you can't do that. If you promised, do it!
Explanations about the problem of low self-esteem and why communication with parents is a difficulty faced in adolescence, for example, should be included in the development part.
If you keep stalling your reader will notice this and will abandon reading, which is what most people tend to do.
And remember: the writing doesn't have to be pretty, with fancy words. If your main concern is the writing of Enem, know that the evaluator has five skills to evaluate and none of them contemplates the content in this way.
The most important thing is that each of its parts fulfill its mission: the introduction is precisely to present which aspects will be covered in your essay.
Example of a good introduction
Read the essay of a participant who scored 1000 in Enem 2018, with the theme "Manipulation of user behavior by controlling data on the internet":
Written by Mattheus Martins Wengenroth Cardoso
"The advent of the internet made possible an advance in the forms of communication and allowed greater access to information. However, the sale of private user data proves to be a big problem. Despite efforts to curb this practice, combating user manipulation through data control represents an enormous challenge. It can be said, then, that the
negligence on the part of the government and the strong
Individualistic mentality of entrepreneurs are primarily responsible for the framework.
First, the absence of government measures to combat the sale of personal data and the manipulation of behavior on the networks should be highlighted. According to thinker Thomas Hobbes, the State is responsible for ensuring the well-being of the population, however, this does not occur in Brazil. Due to the lack of action by the authorities, large companies feel free to invade the privacy of users and selling personal information to business owners who want to direct their advertisements. In this way, consumer opinion is influenced, and the right to freedom of choice is threatened.
Furthermore, the search for personal gain above all can also be blamed for the problem. According to Marxist thought, prioritizing the personal good over the collective creates countless difficulties for society. By selling private data and manipulating user behavior, companies invade the privacy of individuals and violate important rights of the population in the name of individual interests. Thus, the union of society is essential to ensure collective well-being and combat data control and the manipulation of behavior in the digital environment.
It is inferred, therefore, that ensuring privacy and freedom of choice on the internet is a major challenge in Brazil. Therefore, the The Federal Government, as the highest level of executive administration, must act in favor of the population, through the creation of laws that prohibit the sale of user data, so that companies that use this practice are punished and the privacy of users is assured. In addition, society, as a group of individuals who share cultural and social values, must act together and fight the manipulation and control of information,
through boycotts and mobilization campaigns, so that businessmen feel pressured by the population and are forced to abandon the practice.
After all, as stated by Rousseau: “the general will must emanate from everyone to be applied to everyone”."
The introduction of the wording above comprises the first paragraph and fulfills its function. Note that the text is short and indicates the points covered.
We verified that the subjects indicated were the same ones explained in the development and that were taken up in the conclusion: 1) government negligence and 2) individualistic mentality of entrepreneurs.
Point 1 was explained in the second paragraph, while point 2 in the third. Finally, in the last paragraphs, which correspond to the conclusion, the participant makes a critical reflection on both. In other words, all the parts - starting with the introduction - fulfilled their role.
Read too: Tips for introducing an essay
