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Inductive Essays: Tips, Examples, and Topics

Carla johnson.

June 14, 2023
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Inductive essays are a common type of academic writing. To come to a conclusion, you have to look at the evidence and figure out what it all means. Inductive essays start with a set of observations or evidence and then move toward a conclusion. Deductive essays start with a thesis statement and then give evidence to support it. This type of essay is often used in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.

The goal of an inductive essay is to look at the evidence and draw a conclusion from it. It requires carefully analyzing and interpreting the evidence and being able to draw logical conclusions from it. Instead of starting with a conclusion in mind and trying to prove it, the goal is to use the evidence to build a case for that conclusion.

You can’t say enough about how important it is to look at evidence before coming to a conclusion. In today’s world, where information is easy to find and often contradictory, it is important to be able to sort through the facts to come to a good decision. It is also important to be able to tell when the evidence isn’t complete or doesn’t prove anything, and to be able to admit when there is uncertainty.

In the sections that follow, we’ll talk about some tips for writing good inductive essays, show you some examples of good inductive essays, and give you some ideas for topics for your next inductive essay. By the end of this article, you’ll know more about how to write an inductive essay well.

What You'll Learn

Elements of an Inductive Essay

Most of the time, an inductive essay has three main parts: an intro, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The introduction should explain what the topic is about and show the evidence that will be looked at in the essay . It should also have a thesis statement that sums up the conclusion that will be drawn from the evidence.

In the body paragraphs, you should show and explain the evidence. Each paragraph should focus on one piece of evidence and explain how it supports the thesis statement . The analysis should make sense and be well-supported, and there should be a clear link between the evidence and the conclusion.

In the conclusion, you should sum up the evidence and the conclusion you came to based on it. It should also put the conclusion in a bigger picture by explaining why it’s important and what it means for the topic at hand.

How to Choose a Topic for an Inductive Essay

It can be hard to choose a topic for an inductive essay, but there are a few things you can do that will help.

First, it’s important to look at the assignment prompt carefully. What’s the question you’re supposed to answer? What evidence do you have to back up your claim? To choose a topic that is both possible and interesting , you need to understand the prompt and the evidence you have.

Next, brainstorming can be a good way to come up with ideas. Try writing down all the ideas that come to mind when you think about the prompt. At this point, it doesn’t matter if the ideas are good or not. The goal is to come up with as many ideas as possible.

Once you have a list of possible topics , it’s important to pick one that you can handle and that you’re interested in. Think about how big the topic is and if you will have enough time to analyze the evidence in enough depth for the assignment . Also, think about your own passions and interests. If you choose a topic that really interests you, you are more likely to write a good essay .

Some potential topics for an inductive essay include:

– The impact of social media on mental health

– The effectiveness of alternative medicine for treating chronic pain

– The causes of income inequality in the United States

– The relationship between climate change and extreme weather events

– The effects of video game violence on children

By following these tips for choosing a topic and understanding the elements of an inductive essay, you can master the art of this type of academic writing and produce compelling and persuasive essays that draw on evidence to arrive at sound conclusions.

Inductive Essay Outline

An outline can help you to organize your thoughts and ensure that your essay is well-structured. An inductive essay outline typically includes the following sections:

– Introduction: The introduction should provide background information on the topic and present the evidence that will be analyzed in the essay . It should also include a thesis statement that summarizes the conclusion that will be drawn from the evidence.

– Body Paragraphs: The body paragraphs should present the evidence and analyze it in depth. Each paragraph should focus on a specific piece of evidence and explain how it supports the thesis statement . The analysis should be logical and well-supported, with clear connections made between the evidence and the conclusion.

– Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the evidence and the conclusion that was drawn from it. It should also provide a broader context for the conclusion, explaining why it matters and what implications it has for the topic at hand.

Inductive Essay Structure

The structure of an inductive essay is similar to that of other types of academic essays. It typically includes the following elements:

– Thesis statement: The thesis statement should summarize the conclusion that will be drawn from the evidence and provide a clear focus for the essay .

– Introduction: The introduction should provide background information on the topic and present the evidence that will be analyzed in the essay. It should also include a thesis statement that summarizes the conclusion that will be drawn from the evidence.

– Body Paragraphs: The body paragraphs should present the evidence and analyze it in depth. Each paragraph should focus on a specific piece of evidence and explain how it supports the thesis statement. The analysis should be logical and well-supported, with clear connections made between the evidence and the conclusion.

It is important to note that the body paragraphs can be organized in different ways depending on the nature of the evidence and the argument being made. For example, you may choose to organize the paragraphs by theme or chronologically. Regardless of the organization, each paragraph should be focused and well-supported with evidence.

By following this structure, you can ensure that your inductive essay is well-organized and persuasive, drawing on evidence to arrive at a sound conclusion. Remember to carefully analyze the evidence, and to draw logical connections between the evidence and the conclusion. With practice, you can master the art of inductive essays and become a skilled academic writer.

Inductive Essay Examples

Examples of successful inductive essays can provide a helpful model for your own writing. Here are some examples of inductive essay topics:

– Example 1: The Link Between Smoking and Lung Cancer: This essay could look at the studies and statistics that have been done on the link between smoking and lung cancer and come to a conclusion about how strong it is.

– Example 2: The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health: This essay could look at the studies and personal experiences that have been done on the effects of social media on mental health to come to a conclusion about the effects of social media on mental health.

– Example 3: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture: This essay could look at the studies and expert opinions on the effects of climate change on agriculture to come to a conclusion about how it might affect food production..

– Example 4: The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet: This essay could look at the available evidence about the benefits of a plant-based diet, using studies and dietary guidelines to come to a conclusion about the health benefits of this type of diet.

– Example 5: The Effects of Parenting Styles on Child Development: This essay could look at the studies and personal experiences that have been done on the effects of parenting styles on child development and come to a conclusion about the best way to raise a child.

Tips for Writing an Effective Inductive Essay

Here are some tips for writing acompelling and effective inductive essay:

1. Presenting evidence in a logical and organized way: It is important to present evidence in a clear and organized way that supports the thesis statement and the conclusion. Use topic sentences and transitions to make the connections between the evidence and the conclusion clear for the reader.

2. Considering alternative viewpoints: When analyzing evidence, it is important to consider alternative viewpoints and opinions. Acknowledge counterarguments and address them in your essay, demonstrating why your conclusion is more compelling.

3. Using strong and credible sources: Use credible sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles , statistics, and expert opinions to support your argument. Avoid relying on unreliable sources or anecdotal evidence.

4. Avoiding fallacies and biases: Be aware of logical fallacies and biases that can undermine the credibility of your argument. Avoid making assumptions or jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence.

By following these tips, you can write an effective inductive essay that draws on evidence to arrive at a sound conclusion. Remember to carefully analyze the evidence, consider alternative viewpoints, and use credible sources to support your argument. With practice and dedication, you can master the art of inductive essays and become a skilled academic writer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is an inductive essay.

An inductive essay is an academic writing that starts with a set of observations or evidence and then works towards a conclusion. The essay requires careful analysis and interpretation of evidence, and the ability to draw logical conclusions based on that evidence.

2. What are the elements of an inductive essay?

An inductive essay typically consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction provides background information and presents the thesis statement. The body paragraphs present the evidence and analyze it in depth. The conclusion summarizes the evidence and the conclusion drawn from it.

3. How do I choose a topic for an inductive essay?

To choose a topic for an inductive essay, carefully analyze the assignment prompt, brainstorm ideas, narrow down the topic, and select a topic that interests you.

4. What is the difference between an inductive essay and a deductive essay?

An inductive essay starts with evidence and works towards a conclusion, while a deductive essay starts with a thesis statement and provides arguments to support it.

5. How do I structure an inductive essay?

An inductive essay typically follows a structure that includes a thesis statement, introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Inductive essays are an important type of academic writing that require careful analysis and interpretation of evidence to come to a conclusion. By using the advice in this article, you can become a good inductive essay writer. Remember to carefully look at the evidence, think about other points of view, use reliable sources, and stay away from logical errors and biases. In conclusion , learning how to write inductive essays is important for developing critical thinking skills and making arguments that are compelling and convincing. You can make a valuable contribution to your field of study and to society as a whole by looking at the facts and coming to logical conclusions. With practice and hard work , you can learn to write good inductive essays that will help you in school and in your career.

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Inductive vs. Deductive Writing

by Purdue Global Academic Success Center and Writing Center · Published February 25, 2015 · Updated February 24, 2015

Dr. Tamara Fudge, Kaplan University professor in the School of Business and IT

There are several ways to present information when writing, including those that employ inductive and deductive reasoning . The difference can be stated simply:

Inductive reasoning presents facts and then wraps them up with a conclusion .
Deductive reasoning presents a thesis statement and then provides supportive facts or examples.

Which should the writer use? It depends on content, the intended audience , and your overall purpose .

If you want your audience to discover new things with you , then inductive writing might make sense. Here is n example:

My dog Max wants to chase every non-human living creature he sees, whether it is the cats in the house or rabbits and squirrels in the backyard. Sources indicate that this is a behavior typical of Jack Russell terriers. While Max is a mixed breed dog, he is approximately the same size and has many of the typical markings of a Jack Russell. From these facts along with his behaviors, we surmise that Max is indeed at least part Jack Russell terrier.

Within that short paragraph, you learned about Max’s manners and a little about what he might look like, and then the concluding sentence connected these ideas together. This kind of writing often keeps the reader’s attention, as he or she must read all the pieces of the puzzle before they are connected.

Purposes for this kind of writing include creative writing and perhaps some persuasive essays, although much academic work is done in deductive form.

If your audience is not likely going to read the entire written piece, then deductive reasoning might make more sense, as the reader can look for what he or she wants by quickly scanning first sentences of each paragraph. Here is an example:

My backyard is in dire need of cleaning and new landscaping. The Kentucky bluegrass that was planted there five years ago has been all but replaced by Creeping Charlie, a particularly invasive weed. The stone steps leading to the house are in some disrepair, and there are some slats missing from the fence. Perennials were planted three years ago, but the moles and rabbits destroyed many of the bulbs, so we no longer have flowers in the spring.

The reader knows from the very first sentence that the backyard is a mess! This paragraph could have ended with a clarifying conclusion sentence; while it might be considered redundant to do so, the scientific community tends to work through deductive reasoning by providing (1) a premise or argument – which could also be called a thesis statement, (2) then evidence to support the premise, and (3) finally the conclusion.

Purposes for this kind of writing include business letters and project documents, where the client is more likely to skim the work for generalities or to hunt for only the parts that are important to him or her. Again, scientific writing tends to follow this format as well, and research papers greatly benefit from deductive writing.

Whether one method or another is chosen, there are some other important considerations. First, it is important that the facts/evidence be true. Perform research carefully and from appropriate sources; make sure ideas are cited properly. You might need to avoid absolute words such as “always,” “never,” and “only,” because they exclude any anomalies. Try not to write questions: the writer’s job is to provide answers instead. Lastly, avoid quotes in thesis statements or conclusions, because they are not your own words – and thus undermine your authority as the paper writer.

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by Purdue Global Academic Success Center and Writing Center · Published June 10, 2015

Brexit Voters Broke It and Now Regret It-Part I: Establishing the Importance of Teaching and Learning in Developing an Educated, Global Electorate

October 26, 2016

by Purdue Global Academic Success Center and Writing Center · Published October 26, 2016 · Last modified April 8, 2020

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[…] begin with alarming statistics and the urgency of action. However, articles often transition into inductive storytelling by featuring firsthand accounts of climate-related events or interviews with affected communities. […]

15 Inductive Reasoning Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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inductive reasoning example and definition, explained below

Inductive reasoning involves using patterns from small datasets to come up with broader generalizations. For example, it is used in opinion polling when you poll 1,000 people and use that data to come up with an estimate of broader public opinion.

Typically, inductive reasoning moves from the specific to the general; and can be understood as educated guesses, assumptions and/or hypotheses drawn from specific incidents.

However, it also has its weaknesses. It cannot provide concrete evidence because it always relies extrapolation and probability.

Inductive logic or inductive reasoning is often contrasted with deductive reasoning which is where the general moves to the specific (in other words: what is generally assumed to be true as a broader phenomenon is assumed to hold in a specific case or circumstance).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Inductive Reasoning


When you have a big enough sample set, inductive reasoning can be highly accurate in developing general ideas.	Inductive reasoning can lead to incorrect conclusions, especially when a dataset is too small to be an accurate representation of the whole.
Inductive reasoning enables us to model big phenomena that are impossible to directly measure, such as how many stars there are in the universe.	The more generalized our assumptions become, the less likely they are to be accurate.
Inductive reasoning is used frequently in public policy settings to create targeted interventions for at-risk populations (this is also true of deductive reasoning).	Inductive reasoning leads to stereotyping and about populations that have not been directly examined as case studies (this is also true of deductive reasoning).

Well-Formulated Inductive Reasoning Examples

1. polling and surveys.

“We surveyed 1,000 people across the county and 520 of them said they will vote to re-elect the mayor. We estimate that 52% of the county will vote for the mayor and he will be re-elected.”

Many statisticians make a living from conducting tried-and-true inductive reasoning studies. We often call this “polling data”. Polls will look at a sample size that is often large enough to have a 95% probability of being correct (that is p = <0.05 ) which is the generally accepted threshold of probability in academic studies.

Polls can help governments and politicians to create policies that are responsive to popular opinion.

However, polls are not always right, and often, statisticians have to re-calibrate their metrics after every general election to get a better understanding of polling bias.

For example, if the statisticians conduct their polls by phone, it may be the case that older people tend to answer their phone more than younger people, and older people may skew their vote in one way or another, which skews the overall polling numbers! They need to account for these biases, which makes their job of making generalizations from patterns very difficult at times.

2. Bonus Structure

“In a study of fifteen employees in my business, I found that a 10% bonus structure raised revenues by 20%. I will now roll-out the bonus structure to all employees.”

In this example of reasoning , a business owner has used a small dataset to identify a trend, which gave them sufficient confidence to roll out their intervention across the entire workplace.

If the business owner didn’t do this initial study, they wouldn’t have any indicative data to rely upon in order to feel confident about their decision. Here, we see how inductive reasoning can be used to help us make more informed decisions.

This doesn’t mean that the business owner will have the same success rate when he introduces the bonuses to everyone, but at least he can proceed with greater confidence than before.

3. Seasonal Trends

“For five years in a row, I have seen bears in the woods in June but not May. This year, I expect to wait until June to see a bear in the woods.”

We can also use inductive reasoning to make assumptions in our own lives. In the above example, a person who lives near the woods has identified a seasonal trend that allows them to generalize and predict future patterns.

This sort of seasonal prediction has been around for millennia. Nomads saw patterns in the land and decided to go on annual migrations based on their hypotheses that certain lands would be more fertile at certain times of year. Similarly, agriculturalists use seasonal trends to reason about when to plant their seeds. This doesn’t mean every year will be perfect (to this day, some seasons are terrible for crop yield).

4. Archaeological Digs

“We dug up three pots within a thirty square foot area. We should focus our dig efforts on this area to see what else we can dig up.”

Archaeology also regularly relies upon inductive reasoning. An archaeologist will find signs of human occupation in a location and use those signs as reason the intensify focus on that area.

In these instances, they are inducing that there are likely to be more remnants of civilization around the first remnants due to the assumption that humans may have settled or camped in that specific location.

5. Traffic Patterns

“I have noticed that traffic is bad between 7.30am and 9am. I will drive to the grocery store after 9am to avoid the traffic.”

We even use inductive reason regularly when planning out our days. We make observations about the things around us and use them to make generalizations and predictions.

In the above example, the person has noticed that traffic is worst just before the work day begins, so avoids driving during that period. This is a generalization that can help the person make informed decisions. While it’s not guaranteed that traffic will be better at 9.30am than 8.30am (there may be a car crash at any time of day!), inductive reasoning states that it is likely that traffic will be better at 9.30am than 8.30am.

Poorly-Formulated Inductive Reasoning Examples

6. dog breeds.

“Despite what the government says about Pitt Bulls, the only Pitt Bulls I have ever met were extremely friendly and sweet. Pitt Bulls must therefore not be a dangerous breed.”

While it may well be the case that this person has not personally encountered a hostile or aggressive Pitt Bull, numerous studies have been done indicating that Pitt Bulls, on average, are more aggressive than other dog breeds; whether or not this is inherently true remains speculation. Many cities have also banned the breed since they’ve resulted in the vast majority of dog fatally-related incidents and injuries , relative to the other dog breeds that exist.

This example illustrates how inductive logic goes from specific incidences and applies them as a general rule or conclusion on a given matter.

7. Job Salary and Occupation

“John is a lawyer, and he makes a lot of money. All lawyers make tons of money.”

Appearances can be deceiving, and though basic logic might indicate that something is true, it does not always hold in each situation. While it’s reasonable to assume that people within a certain occupation may earn a lot of money since, generally speaking, the job is associated with a higher salary—it is not always the case in every circumstance.

Some lawyers, for example, do pro-bono work, others may be employed by the government and work as public defenders for individuals that may lack the means to hire their own legal counsel.

8. Nationality

“My dad is Russian and he has blonde hair and blue eyes. All Russian people must have blonde hair and blue eyes.”

This illustrates the inductive reasoning fallacy by moving from an isolated or single case and applying it as a general rule or broadly applicable conclusion. We know that just because a person bears certain physical traits that may be generally affiliated with a geographical region, that does not mean all individuals from the same place will share those same physical traits.

This shows how inductive reasoning can result in incorrect conclusions and/or false assumptions by using specific instances to draw conclusions.

9. Left-Handedness

“All of my siblings are left-handed, and we are all talented artists. People that are left-handed are more creative and artistically inclined than those that are right-handed.”

It could seem reasonable for this person to assume (based on the evidence that they are exposed to,) that left-handed people are naturally more creative and artistic than their right-handed counterparts. Despite appearances, it is not proven that left-handed people are in fact more artistic than right-handed people .

The misstep in logic occurs from making the move from the specific to the general without having sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim as a generally applicable rule.

10. Rainy Weather

“I was in Seattle for a week, and it rained for all seven days I was there. It is always raining in Seattle.”

There’s no question that Seattle gets a lot of rain and is objectively regarded as a very rainy city. Even still, it would be false to conclude that it rains every single day without fail since this is not the case.

To correct the false conclusion or error in logic, we would revise the statement to some form of the following—each day I was in Seattle it rained; therefore, it is often raining in Seattle.

11. Buying Avocados

“While shopping for groceries, I was in the produce section checking for ripe avocados. I picked up one avocado and it was not ripe enough to eat. I picked up another and it was also underripe. There must not be any ripe avocados at this grocery store.”

While it’s possible that there are not any ripe avocados at the grocery store the person is perusing, this is not conclusive until he or she has inspected each avocado in the bin on how its ripeness. It’s clear that picking up a few avocados and determining that they are not ripe enough to eat does not necessarily indicate the remaining avocados in the bin will be underripe. This abrogates logic and demonstrates the error in inductive reasoning.

12. Food Poisoning

“The last time I ate at this Japanese restaurant I got terrible food poisoning. Do not go and eat at this Japanese restaurant because you will get food poisoning and be extremely sick.”

One incident of food poisoning does not indicate a general pattern or broad truth, and it certainly does not follow that just because a person got food poisoning from eating at a restaurant one time, anyone who eats at that same restaurant will necessarily get food poisoning.

The problem with fallacies in inductive reasoning is that it looks to establish a claim on what is true and factual in general, and while it may well be true in an individual case, it is unlikely to hold in each case without fail.

13. Buying A Mattress

“I have purchased four different mattresses on Amazon. None of them were comfortable, and so I returned all four. Amazon doesn’t have good-quality mattresses.”

This takes a similar structure to the previous example on buying avocados. It’s clear how it would be tempting for this person to conclude, based on their personal experience, that Amazon doesn’t have decent mattresses available to purchase.

However, until the person has actually tried each mattress for sale on Amazon, they cannot say conclusively that all mattresses for sale on Amazon are of poor quality. This would be a false assumption that uses the fallacy of inductive reasoning to draw a conclusion.

14. Penguins

“Penguins are birds and they can’t fly. Therefore, it must be true that birds cannot fly.”

Penguins are a kind of bird and cannot fly; but this does not mean that birds, in general, cannot fly. We know birds can fly—so to assume that birds cannot fly because penguins cannot fly is false and uses flawed inductive logic to formulate its conclusion.

If a person saw a crow and said “crows are birds and can fly, so all birds can fly”, it would also be a false inductive generalization. The person should gather a larger dataset of different types of birds before formulating their hypothesis.

15. Rap Music

“The few rap songs that I’ve listened to included remarks that were inappropriate. Therefore, all rap music is inappropriate.”

While rap music can certainly have some uncouth lyrics, it is surely not the case that rap music is inherently bad, or that every single rap song that exists is not acceptable. There are many rap musicians who rap positive lyrics.

Therefore, this is an overgeneralization (often used by parents!) that aims to exclude the good with the bad, rather than taking a more nuanced look at the issue at hand.

How to Write an Inductive Essay

Jennifer spirko.

Induction and deduction are opposite forms of reasoning. Deduction is a type of formal logic in which you can arrive at a conclusion based on the truth of generalization. For instance, if all llamas are mammals, and Edgar is a llama, then you may deduce that Edgar is a mammal. Induction takes the opposite approach, arriving at a conclusion by way of a series of specific observations or premises. If Edgar has a long neck and two-toed hooves, has heavy, woolly fur, and comes from the Andes, you may infer, via induction, that he is a llama.

Explore this article

Start with a Question or Guess
Establish Specific Premises
Make an Inductive Leap
Defend the Conclusion

1 Start with a Question or Guess

In your introduction, pose a question or establish a hypothesis. May Flewellen McMillan, in her book on rhetoric, recommends this approach because it holds readers’ interest. As a researcher, you may begin with a question that you want to solve, but by the time you are writing the essay, you should know the answer. Posing the question is a rhetorical strategy. Having pre-planned your essay, you know that he is a llama, but begin by asking, “What kind of animal is Edgar?” You should already have an idea about Hamlet’s madness, but begin your essay by asking, “Is Hamlet truly mad or just pretending?”

2 Establish Specific Premises

Address the guiding question by building a series of premises. These are specific data points that address your question. The type of premises will depend on subject area. In sociology, for instance, a researcher might conduct case studies and draw the initial hypothesis from these observations, explains Gordon Marshall in the “Dictionary of Sociology.” A literature essay, on the other hand, presents observations about a character or theme. For instance, you should present your observations of Hamlet’s behavior, some of which (like his rash killing of Polonius) seems insane, and some of which (like his clever circumvention of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s plot) seems sane.

3 Make an Inductive Leap

Because induction draws a conclusion from a series of separate observations, it deals with probability, not certainty, according to David Naugle, philosophy professor at Dallas Baptist University. Deduction proceeds to a firm conclusion that cannot be disputed as long as the premises are sound. With induction, on the other hand, all the premises can still be true individually but not guarantee the result. Edgar can have a long neck, shaggy fur, divided hooves and come from the Andes and still not be a llama. While that is the likeliest conclusion, there is a chance that Edgar is a vicuña. The conclusion about what sort of animal Edgar is requires what rhetoricians call a “leap” in reasoning. It is a matter of probability, not certainty.

4 Defend the Conclusion

If you believe that your conclusion is supported, as much as possible, by the examples or observations, be explicit about this degree of certainty. Readers will only follow the inductive leap as far as it seems reasonable. You have to provide the reasoning that supports your inductive leap by which you arrived at your conclusion. If you conclude that Hamlet is sane, then spell out why his seemingly insane actions are the product of his craftiness. If you conclude that Hamlet is mad, then spell out how his seemingly sane actions could result from an unstable psyche or how they represent momentary bouts of clarity. You can present outside research to support your conclusions, such as prior studies done on the prevalence of llamas versus vicuñas or psychological analyses of unstable behavior that resembles Hamlet’s.

1 The Shortest Way to the Essay, Rhetorical Strategies; May Flewellen McMillan
2 Hamlet; William Shakespeare
3 Dallas Baptist University: Philosophy 2302, Introduction to Logic; David Naugle

About the Author

Jennifer Spirko has been writing professionally for more than 20 years, starting at "The Knoxville Journal." She has written for "MetroPulse," "Maryville-Alcoa Daily Times" and "Some" monthly. She has taught writing at North Carolina State University and the University of Tennessee. Spirko holds a Master of Arts from the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-on-Avon, England.

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of induction, difference between induction, deduction, and abduction, common examples of induction.

We use inductive reasoning frequently in daily life, for better or worse. Here are some common examples of inductive reasoning:

Significance of Induction in Literature

Examples of induction in literature.

The witnesses for the state, with the exception of the sheriff of Maycomb County, have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court, in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption—the evil assumption—that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber. “Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.

( To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)

GUILDENSTERN: It must be indicative of something, besides the redistribution of wealth. (He muses.) List of possible explanations. One: I’m willing it. Inside where nothing shows, I’m the essence of a man spinning double-headed coins, and betting against himself in private atonement for an unremembered past. (He spins a coin at ROS.) ROSENCRANTZ: Heads. GUILDENSTERN: Two: time has stopped dead, and a single experience of one coin being spun once has been repeated ninety times… (He flips a coin, looks at it, tosses it to ROS.) On the whole, doubtful. Three: divine intervention, that is to say, a good turn from above concerning him, cf. children of Israel, or retribution from above concerning me, cf. Lot’s wife. Four: a spectacular vindication of the principle that each individual coin spun individually (he spins one) is as likely to come down heads as tails and therefore should cause no surprise that each individual time it does. (It does. He tosses it to ROS.)

“Blasted thing,” Snape was saying. “How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once?” …. “You know what this means?” [Harry Potter] finished breathlessly. “He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That’s where he was going when we saw him—he’s after whatever it’s guarding! And I’d bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!”

( Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling)

In the first installment of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, the protagonist Harry makes a few enemies, including his teacher, Professor Snape. He knows that Snape hates him and treats him cruelly. However, he uses these small, personal experiences to extrapolate that Snape is indeed evil and must be trying to break in to a secret room in Hogwarts Castle. In this induction example, Harry uses his own personal grudge to lead to the false conclusion that Snape is in cahoots with Lord Voldemort.

Test Your Knowledge of Induction

“How do I know that you have been getting yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and careless servant girl?” …. “It is simplicity itself,” said he; “my eyes tell me that on the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting specimen of the London slavey.”

What type of reasoning does Sherlock Holmes employ in this example? A. Inductive reasoning: Holmes notices small things and makes sweeping generalizations based on them. B. Abductive reasoning: Holmes makes intelligent observations and creates a theory of what was most likely to have happened. C. Deductive reasoning: Holmes sees larger principles at work and deduces a logically certain conclusion. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #3″] Answer: B is the correct answer. Even though Holmes speaks of making a “double deduction,” in fact he is using abductive reasoning. His cleverness is such that he can accurately come up with correct conclusions given small observations, but they are not logically certain. He is instead a mastermind at using abductive reasoning.[/spoiler]

Encyclopedia

Writing with artificial intelligence, inductive order, inductive reasoning, inductive writing.

Inductive Order and Inductive Reasoning refer to the practice of deriving general principles, claims, and theories from specific instances and observations. When employing an inductive approach, rhetors move

from specific instances to a general conclusion
from from data to theory
from observations of particular instances to premises about what those events mean.

Inductive Writing is a style of prose fueled by induction. Writing described as inductive or indirect

provides the thesis or research question at the conclusion of the text
leaves it up to the reader to derive a conclusion.
shows rather than tells.
presents tentative hypotheses and limit the generalizability of knowledge clams
is reflective and thoughtful in tone
embrace ambiguity, nuance.

Inductive Order and Inductive Reasoning are sometimes referred to as

a bottom-up approach rather than t op-down ( deductive ) or
hypothesis-generating rather than hypothesis testing (deductive).


: Joe is a writer. Joe struggles with procrastination. Therefore, all writers struggle with procrastination.	Example: All writers struggle with procrastination. Joe is a writer. Therefore, Joe struggles with procrastination.

The human mind seeks order from chaos. As we engage with the world, we constantly derive abstractions from observations:

When we read texts, we engage in inductive analysis: we look at each passage, read line-by-line, and then we draw a conclusion about the validity, significance and quality of the text.
When we engage in discussions with colleagues, we watch who listens, who rephrases accurately ours and peers’ comments, and who inevitably undermines or misrepresents what we say. Thereafter, we make assumptions about the character of our colleagues.
When we receive feedback from to critics (bosses, clients, editors, teachers) we analyze the feedback into types of feedback (e.g., Really Important; Off Topic, But Interesting; Gotta Do This. This is B.S.! ). In other words, we move from particular instances to the abstract: we categorize feedback, make judgments about what criteria those readers cared most about, and seek insights regarding priorities for revision.

We use inductive reasoning almost incessantly. Consider, for example, how we learn about genres in school and workplace on texts: after engaging in sustained reading within a discipline or profession, we notice repetitive patterns in the documents we read. For instance, when it comes to résumés, we notice from templates and samples on the internet that others avoid full sentences and the first person. That’s learning.

While inductive reasoning informs much of our thinking on a daily basis, it’s more common to use a deductive writing style rather than an inductive one. Our attention spans are really stretched by modern life: we receive texts, emails, and various app alerts that are tracking our health and fitness. Mass Media barrages us with a never-ending stream of national and international events. And then there’s work and school. Thus, it’s not surprising that most readers want to be told what a text is about and how it’s organized from the get go.

But it would be an overstatement to say that inductive writing has no place in school and workplace writing. The following rhetorical situations are particularly receptive to documents organized inductively:

Bad News. Using a deductive order in a bad-news situation would be cruel. Instead, before firing someone or reprimanding them or turning them down for something, we want to shafe with them that the situation was competitive, that there were loads of excellent submissions, that we considered sharing bad news, rhetors
Controversial Topics. When writing documents that address controversial issues or matters that threaten the beliefs of their readers, writers may find it strategic to place their arguments in their conclusions rather than their introductions. For instance, if you were writing to support universal health care in the U.S. and you approached a republican seeking support, you would probably have more luck if you shared your personal struggles with health care or in other ways humanized the issue rather than launching immediately in your thesis: that the U.S should adopt universal health care.
Qualitative Research, especially grounded theory (Glaser and Strauss) . Some ethnographers, case study researchers, and journalistic interviewers enter projects seeking to develop a hypothesis that is grounded in the rhetorical situation as opposed to the theories that inform past scholarship in a discipline

Related Concepts

Flow, Coherence, Unity Flow and Coherence are more challenging to achieve using an inductive rather than a deductive approach.
Organizational Schema & Logical Reasoning Inductive order is an element of organizational schema.
Sentence Order within Paragraphs Writers may employ inductive or deductive order to organize sentences in within paragraphs
Thesis, Research Question, Title Inductive writing tends to introduce the thesis or research question in the conclusion of the text.

Brevity - Say More with Less

Clarity (in Speech and Writing)

Coherence - How to Achieve Coherence in Writing

Flow - How to Create Flow in Writing

Inclusivity - Inclusive Language

The Elements of Style - The DNA of Powerful Writing

Academic Writing – How to Write for the Academic Community

You cannot climb a mountain without a plan / John Read

Structured Revision – How to Revise Your Work

Professional Writing – How to Write for the Professional World

Credibility & Authority – How to Be Credible & Authoritative in Research, Speech & Writing

Citation Guide – Learn How to Cite Sources in Academic and Professional Writing

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Definition of Induction

Induction examples, example #1:.

“This marble from the bag is black. That marble from the bag is black. A third marble from the bag is black. Therefore all the marbles in the bag are black.”

Example #2:

“I counted five or six people with green eyes; therefore all of the people have green eyes.”

Example #3:

“Sam is a bus driver. All drivers drive at 30 mph, therefore Sam drives at 30 mph.”

Example #4:

“John and David are brothers. John likes to eat Pizza and Hamburgers. David likes to eat Pizza. Therefore, one assumes that David also likes to eat Hamburgers.”

Example #5:

“All the kids in the park can jump; therefore, Ilene’s kid can jump also.”

Example #6:

“Around 80 percent of the girls wore heels, Jane is a girl. Therefore, Jane wore heels.”

Example #7:

“Some actors are girls. Tom is a boy. Therefore, Tom is an actor.”

Example #8:

“There are 15 clips in the bag; in a random draw 12 are pink. Therefore, all clips in the bag are pink.”

Function of Induction

Post navigation.

Induction vs Deduction

Read these two scenarios and vote for which trip you’d rather take.

TRIP A (deductive method) Pretend that when you get into my car, I say, “We’ll drive to Chicago on Highway 55 North. We’ll pass Springfield, Bloomington, and Joliet. The whole trip will take about five hours, depending on traffic, so sit back and enjoy the ride!”

TRIP B (inductive method) Pretend that when you get into my car, I say nothing at all about our destination, drive for five hours, and finally announce, “Well, here we are in Chicago!” You could see the general direction we were headed, but could not be certain of the destination until my announcement at the end.

Most students would agree that trip A is preferable. Although the driving time is the same for both trips, they’d know where they were going before they got there! Trip B might seem boring if they found out where they were going only at the end of a long drive.

Explanation

Most academic essays are like a five-hour car trip the author asks readers to take. Readers feel in control knowing in advance where they’re heading. That’s why most composition instructors require the thesis statement in the first paragraph. This is known as the deductive method . Deduction comes from two Latin words meaning “to lead away from.” As a writer, you lead your reader away from the thesis and toward your evidence (facts, statistics, case histories, quotes).

Approximately 95% of what you read follows this method.

Sometimes, an author might want to create suspense by delaying the thesis statement until the end. This is known as the inductive method . Induction comes from two Latin words meaning “to lead into.” As a writer, you lead your reader to the thesis, using the evidence in each paragraph (facts, statistics, case histories, quotes) to slowly build up to the thesis.

Approximately 5% of what you read follows this method.

Two good examples of the inductive method are Aesop’s fables, with the moral (thesis) at the end; and murder mysteries, for which you don’t want to know who did it (thesis) until the end.

In more academic writing, some personal narratives, news editorials, and others use induction to slowly build up to the main point/thesis.

As a writer, you and your instructor should determine what method and placement of the thesis is best for your audience and purpose.

The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Introductions

What this handout is about.

This handout will explain the functions of introductions, offer strategies for creating effective introductions, and provide some examples of less effective introductions to avoid.

The role of introductions

Introductions and conclusions can be the most difficult parts of papers to write. Usually when you sit down to respond to an assignment, you have at least some sense of what you want to say in the body of your paper. You might have chosen a few examples you want to use or have an idea that will help you answer the main question of your assignment; these sections, therefore, may not be as hard to write. And it’s fine to write them first! But in your final draft, these middle parts of the paper can’t just come out of thin air; they need to be introduced and concluded in a way that makes sense to your reader.

Your introduction and conclusion act as bridges that transport your readers from their own lives into the “place” of your analysis. If your readers pick up your paper about education in the autobiography of Frederick Douglass, for example, they need a transition to help them leave behind the world of Chapel Hill, television, e-mail, and The Daily Tar Heel and to help them temporarily enter the world of nineteenth-century American slavery. By providing an introduction that helps your readers make a transition between their own world and the issues you will be writing about, you give your readers the tools they need to get into your topic and care about what you are saying. Similarly, once you’ve hooked your readers with the introduction and offered evidence to prove your thesis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives. (See our handout on conclusions .)

Note that what constitutes a good introduction may vary widely based on the kind of paper you are writing and the academic discipline in which you are writing it. If you are uncertain what kind of introduction is expected, ask your instructor.

Why bother writing a good introduction?

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The opening paragraph of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work. A vague, disorganized, error-filled, off-the-wall, or boring introduction will probably create a negative impression. On the other hand, a concise, engaging, and well-written introduction will start your readers off thinking highly of you, your analytical skills, your writing, and your paper.

Your introduction is an important road map for the rest of your paper. Your introduction conveys a lot of information to your readers. You can let them know what your topic is, why it is important, and how you plan to proceed with your discussion. In many academic disciplines, your introduction should contain a thesis that will assert your main argument. Your introduction should also give the reader a sense of the kinds of information you will use to make that argument and the general organization of the paragraphs and pages that will follow. After reading your introduction, your readers should not have any major surprises in store when they read the main body of your paper.

Ideally, your introduction will make your readers want to read your paper. The introduction should capture your readers’ interest, making them want to read the rest of your paper. Opening with a compelling story, an interesting question, or a vivid example can get your readers to see why your topic matters and serve as an invitation for them to join you for an engaging intellectual conversation (remember, though, that these strategies may not be suitable for all papers and disciplines).

Strategies for writing an effective introduction

Start by thinking about the question (or questions) you are trying to answer. Your entire essay will be a response to this question, and your introduction is the first step toward that end. Your direct answer to the assigned question will be your thesis, and your thesis will likely be included in your introduction, so it is a good idea to use the question as a jumping off point. Imagine that you are assigned the following question:

Drawing on the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , discuss the relationship between education and slavery in 19th-century America. Consider the following: How did white control of education reinforce slavery? How did Douglass and other enslaved African Americans view education while they endured slavery? And what role did education play in the acquisition of freedom? Most importantly, consider the degree to which education was or was not a major force for social change with regard to slavery.

You will probably refer back to your assignment extensively as you prepare your complete essay, and the prompt itself can also give you some clues about how to approach the introduction. Notice that it starts with a broad statement and then narrows to focus on specific questions from the book. One strategy might be to use a similar model in your own introduction—start off with a big picture sentence or two and then focus in on the details of your argument about Douglass. Of course, a different approach could also be very successful, but looking at the way the professor set up the question can sometimes give you some ideas for how you might answer it. (See our handout on understanding assignments for additional information on the hidden clues in assignments.)

Decide how general or broad your opening should be. Keep in mind that even a “big picture” opening needs to be clearly related to your topic; an opening sentence that said “Human beings, more than any other creatures on earth, are capable of learning” would be too broad for our sample assignment about slavery and education. If you have ever used Google Maps or similar programs, that experience can provide a helpful way of thinking about how broad your opening should be. Imagine that you’re researching Chapel Hill. If what you want to find out is whether Chapel Hill is at roughly the same latitude as Rome, it might make sense to hit that little “minus” sign on the online map until it has zoomed all the way out and you can see the whole globe. If you’re trying to figure out how to get from Chapel Hill to Wrightsville Beach, it might make more sense to zoom in to the level where you can see most of North Carolina (but not the rest of the world, or even the rest of the United States). And if you are looking for the intersection of Ridge Road and Manning Drive so that you can find the Writing Center’s main office, you may need to zoom all the way in. The question you are asking determines how “broad” your view should be. In the sample assignment above, the questions are probably at the “state” or “city” level of generality. When writing, you need to place your ideas in context—but that context doesn’t generally have to be as big as the whole galaxy!

Try writing your introduction last. You may think that you have to write your introduction first, but that isn’t necessarily true, and it isn’t always the most effective way to craft a good introduction. You may find that you don’t know precisely what you are going to argue at the beginning of the writing process. It is perfectly fine to start out thinking that you want to argue a particular point but wind up arguing something slightly or even dramatically different by the time you’ve written most of the paper. The writing process can be an important way to organize your ideas, think through complicated issues, refine your thoughts, and develop a sophisticated argument. However, an introduction written at the beginning of that discovery process will not necessarily reflect what you wind up with at the end. You will need to revise your paper to make sure that the introduction, all of the evidence, and the conclusion reflect the argument you intend. Sometimes it’s easiest to just write up all of your evidence first and then write the introduction last—that way you can be sure that the introduction will match the body of the paper.

Don’t be afraid to write a tentative introduction first and then change it later. Some people find that they need to write some kind of introduction in order to get the writing process started. That’s fine, but if you are one of those people, be sure to return to your initial introduction later and rewrite if necessary.

Open with something that will draw readers in. Consider these options (remembering that they may not be suitable for all kinds of papers):

an intriguing example —for example, Douglass writes about a mistress who initially teaches him but then ceases her instruction as she learns more about slavery.
a provocative quotation that is closely related to your argument —for example, Douglass writes that “education and slavery were incompatible with each other.” (Quotes from famous people, inspirational quotes, etc. may not work well for an academic paper; in this example, the quote is from the author himself.)
a puzzling scenario —for example, Frederick Douglass says of slaves that “[N]othing has been left undone to cripple their intellects, darken their minds, debase their moral nature, obliterate all traces of their relationship to mankind; and yet how wonderfully they have sustained the mighty load of a most frightful bondage, under which they have been groaning for centuries!” Douglass clearly asserts that slave owners went to great lengths to destroy the mental capacities of slaves, yet his own life story proves that these efforts could be unsuccessful.
a vivid and perhaps unexpected anecdote —for example, “Learning about slavery in the American history course at Frederick Douglass High School, students studied the work slaves did, the impact of slavery on their families, and the rules that governed their lives. We didn’t discuss education, however, until one student, Mary, raised her hand and asked, ‘But when did they go to school?’ That modern high school students could not conceive of an American childhood devoid of formal education speaks volumes about the centrality of education to American youth today and also suggests the significance of the deprivation of education in past generations.”
a thought-provoking question —for example, given all of the freedoms that were denied enslaved individuals in the American South, why does Frederick Douglass focus his attentions so squarely on education and literacy?

Pay special attention to your first sentence. Start off on the right foot with your readers by making sure that the first sentence actually says something useful and that it does so in an interesting and polished way.

How to evaluate your introduction draft

Ask a friend to read your introduction and then tell you what they expect the paper will discuss, what kinds of evidence the paper will use, and what the tone of the paper will be. If your friend is able to predict the rest of your paper accurately, you probably have a good introduction.

Five kinds of less effective introductions

1. The placeholder introduction. When you don’t have much to say on a given topic, it is easy to create this kind of introduction. Essentially, this kind of weaker introduction contains several sentences that are vague and don’t really say much. They exist just to take up the “introduction space” in your paper. If you had something more effective to say, you would probably say it, but in the meantime this paragraph is just a place holder.

Example: Slavery was one of the greatest tragedies in American history. There were many different aspects of slavery. Each created different kinds of problems for enslaved people.

2. The restated question introduction. Restating the question can sometimes be an effective strategy, but it can be easy to stop at JUST restating the question instead of offering a more specific, interesting introduction to your paper. The professor or teaching assistant wrote your question and will be reading many essays in response to it—they do not need to read a whole paragraph that simply restates the question.

Example: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass discusses the relationship between education and slavery in 19th century America, showing how white control of education reinforced slavery and how Douglass and other enslaved African Americans viewed education while they endured. Moreover, the book discusses the role that education played in the acquisition of freedom. Education was a major force for social change with regard to slavery.

3. The Webster’s Dictionary introduction. This introduction begins by giving the dictionary definition of one or more of the words in the assigned question. Anyone can look a word up in the dictionary and copy down what Webster says. If you want to open with a discussion of an important term, it may be far more interesting for you (and your reader) if you develop your own definition of the term in the specific context of your class and assignment. You may also be able to use a definition from one of the sources you’ve been reading for class. Also recognize that the dictionary is also not a particularly authoritative work—it doesn’t take into account the context of your course and doesn’t offer particularly detailed information. If you feel that you must seek out an authority, try to find one that is very relevant and specific. Perhaps a quotation from a source reading might prove better? Dictionary introductions are also ineffective simply because they are so overused. Instructors may see a great many papers that begin in this way, greatly decreasing the dramatic impact that any one of those papers will have.

Example: Webster’s dictionary defines slavery as “the state of being a slave,” as “the practice of owning slaves,” and as “a condition of hard work and subjection.”

4. The “dawn of man” introduction. This kind of introduction generally makes broad, sweeping statements about the relevance of this topic since the beginning of time, throughout the world, etc. It is usually very general (similar to the placeholder introduction) and fails to connect to the thesis. It may employ cliches—the phrases “the dawn of man” and “throughout human history” are examples, and it’s hard to imagine a time when starting with one of these would work. Instructors often find them extremely annoying.

Example: Since the dawn of man, slavery has been a problem in human history.

5. The book report introduction. This introduction is what you had to do for your elementary school book reports. It gives the name and author of the book you are writing about, tells what the book is about, and offers other basic facts about the book. You might resort to this sort of introduction when you are trying to fill space because it’s a familiar, comfortable format. It is ineffective because it offers details that your reader probably already knows and that are irrelevant to the thesis.

Example: Frederick Douglass wrote his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave , in the 1840s. It was published in 1986 by Penguin Books. In it, he tells the story of his life.

And now for the conclusion…

Writing an effective introduction can be tough. Try playing around with several different options and choose the one that ends up sounding best to you!

Just as your introduction helps readers make the transition to your topic, your conclusion needs to help them return to their daily lives–but with a lasting sense of how what they have just read is useful or meaningful. Check out our handout on conclusions for tips on ending your paper as effectively as you began it!

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Douglass, Frederick. 1995. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself . New York: Dover.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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This essays disuccses the problem of induction. Can we generalise individual observations to universal become laws?

Hume Arguments for the Problem of Induction

Peter Prevos | 22 May 2005 Last Updated | 19 July 2020 2966 words | 14 minutes

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Inductive inferences play an essential role in our every day and scientific thinking. Francis Bacon (1561–1626) argued that we could derive universal principles from a finite number of examples, employing induction. A well-known example of a generalising induction is:

Millions of swans have been observed
All of them were white
Therefore by induction the statement “all swans are white” is true

This essay investigates the sceptical arguments regarding the validity of inductive inferences by David Hume and the solution proposed by Karl Popper. Although Popper’s solution has significant practical implications, Hume’s problem remains unsolved, and a different approach is needed to account for the success of inductive reasoning.

The Problem of Induction

Philosophical inductions amplify particular observations to universal laws to predict the behaviour of physical systems. The problem of induction is what justification can there be for making such an inference? Can we make a universal claim based on a finite number of observations?

David Hume (1711–1776) is usually credited to be the first to ask this question and analyse the problem of induction. Hume concludes that there is no rational justification for inductive references and that Bacon was wrong in assuming that we can derive universal principles from observation of the particular. Many philosophers have attempted to solve this problem, but there is still no consensus on how to solve the issue, or whether it is solvable.

We are still in the same position Hume put us in. Karl Popper (1902–1994) accepts the validity of the Humean critique of induction but believes that science does not depend on induction at all. If Popper is correct, the induction problem seems to evaporate.

Hume’s argument for inductive scepticism

Hume outlines his argument for inductive scepticism in both the Treatise of Human Nature/ and the Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding . Hume also summarises his position in an abstract of the Treatise he published.

Hume’s analysis of induction is closely related to his ideas on causation, for ‘all reasonings concerning matter of fact seem to be founded on the relation of Cause and Effect’. Hume argues that when we see one billiard ball hitting another, what we perceive is that they strike and the ball, which was formerly at rest, now is in motion. From this perception, it is evident that the two balls touched each other before the motion of the second ball commenced. Contiguity in time and place is thus a requisite circumstance for the operation of all causes. It is also evident to Hume that the two motions follow each other in time (priority) and Hume also believes that there is a constant conjunction between cause and effect in that similar circumstances always produce similar effects. Hume notes that:

T’is commonly suppos’d, that there is a necessary connexion betwixt the cause and effect, and that the cause possesses something, which we call a power, or force, or energy.

Hume can, however, not see anything beyond contiguity, priority and constant conjunction between cause and effect. The actual connection between cause and effect is an occult quality, and Hume remarks that “nature has kept us at a great distance from all her secrets.”

The powers by which bodies operate are entirely unknown as we perceive only their sensible qualities. Hume wants to find out what this inference from cause to effect is founded upon. The stakes are high, as Hume considers the inference from cause to effect to be the cornerstone of all our knowledge about the world, except for mathematics.

Hume notes that, although the premise of a predictive inductive inference is true, the conclusion can nevertheless be false. Although we have always perceived the same cause and effect, their connection is not a necessary truth:

The mind can always conceive any effect to follow from any cause, and indeed any event to follow upon another: whatever we conceive is possible, at least in a metaphysical sense.

The conclusion that “all swans are white” was, until Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh in 1697 was the first European to see a black swan in Australia, considered a fact. De Vlamingh thus falsified the previously regarded as a universal truth that all swans are white. Hume concludes from the fact that inductions can produce false conclusions from true premises that induction can not be a rational inference.

The claim that induction is not a rational inference depends, according to Aubrey Townsend, on two steps. The first is to conclude that induction is not demonstrative or deductive. In the second stage, he also needs an argument to show that if induction is not demonstrative but probable, then still it is not a rational inference, because it rests on a presumption that can only be justified by a circular use of inductive reasoning.

Hume, in line with Cartesian thinking, believes that rational reasoning is by definition error-free and inductive inferences can therefore not be rational. The only way we can make inferences from the impression to the idea (induction) is, according to Hume, by relying on experience of the constant conjunction of the objects in question. Hume writes:

Even after we have experience of the operations of cause and effect, our conclusions from that experience are not founded on reasoning or any process of the understanding.

The core of Hume’s argument is the claim that all probable arguments presuppose that the future resembles the past (the Uniformity Principle) and that the Uniformity Principle is a matter of fact. That the future resembles the past is, however, not something we derive from reason but from experience alone. Hume argues that because ‘it is no contradiction that the course of nature may change’, any object may be causing different effects in the future and all previous inductions will fail.

Before 1697, everybody who had ever seen a white swan assumed, following the Uniformity Principle, that all future swans would also be white. This principle implies that the results of an inductive argument is probable, but never certain, as pointed out earlier. This again leads to the circularity objection, because the Uniformity Principle, as a justification of induction itself is based on an induction. Hume thus concludes that not reason, but custom alone, leads us to conclude that induction is a valid inference.

To justify induction and to show that it is rational, Hume needs to be able to offer that though on particular occasions induction will take us from truth to falsehood, as in the case with the swans. Yet, in the long run, induction will get us nearer to the truth. That is what Descartes attempted to do with the argument based on a proof of God’s existence and veracity. Hume wanted to show that any such program will fail.

Reactions to Hume’s argument

Hume’s problem of induction strikes at the very foundation of empirical science. Following Hume, all inductive reasoning should be accompanied by a disclaimer, warning that every connection with reality is based on pure coincidence.

Bertrand Russell thought that Hume’s philosophy ‘represents the bankruptcy of eighteenth-century reasonableness’. If there is no solution to Hume’s problem, “there is no intellectual difference between sanity and insanity”. Several arguments have been developed in response to the problem posed by Hume.

Deductivism

Hume’s argument depends on the claim that all inductive inferences presuppose the Uniformity Principle and that this principle can not be derived from reason, but only from observation. The question to be asked is whether all inductive reasoning indeed depends on the Uniformity Principle. David Stove argues that inductive arguments depend on the Uniformity Principle because the addition makes inductive arguments deductively valid.

If Stove is right, then all inductive arguments are deductive arguments with a hidden premise. A characteristic difference between inductive and deductive arguments is that, if the premises are correct, the outcome of a deductive argument will always be valid as well. This is not the case in inductive reasonings, as Hume pointed out. If the addition of the Uniformity Principle would render an inductive argument deductively valid, then the Uniformity Principle must be false, because the principle would be shown to be false by every inductive failure. Stove’s lines of reasoning render the Uniformity Principle false, something which most people would not be willing to accept.

The success of science

Another reply to Hume is by pointing out the success of the application of inductive reasoning in science. The fact that I am writing this essay on a computer can be considered proof that the rules of physics, on which the technology enabling the existence of this computer are based, are true. These rules of physics are, in turn, based on ampliative reasoning through inductive inferences. From this follows that inference is a valid way of concluding the universal from the particular. Other modes of obtaining knowledge, such as divination, do not have such a reliable track record and are thus inferior to the empirical sciences. The problem with this justification is that it uses the scientific method to justify the scientific method. To predict that the scientific method will continue to be successful in the future because it has been successful in the past is a circular argument.

Popper’s Critical Rationalism

Karl Popper characterises the scientific method not as a process of observation and inductive reasoning, but as a process of conjectures and refutations. Popper describes a scientist as:

… a man dressed in black, who, in a black room, looks for a black hat, which may not be there […] he tentatively tries for the black hat.

There is, according to Popper, “no such thing as a logical method of having new ideas” and discovery of scientific theories always contains an irrational element. Albert Einstein refers to this irrational element as an intuition, based on empathy ( Einfühlung ) with experience. This view is in contrast to Isaac Newton, who insisted that he does not invent theories ( hypothesis non fingo ) and that intuition plays no role in science. It is interesting to note that according to his assistant John Conduitt, Newton discovered a critical aspect of the theory of gravity not from meticulous observations of planetary motion, but from an apple he saw falling from a tree.

Popper’s philosophy of science is, however, not a form of irrationalism, but critical rationalism . Popper argues that every theory should be subjected to a rigorous critical testing regime, aimed at attempting to falsify that theory.

Critical rationalism is closely related to Popper’s view on the problem of induction. His solution to the problem is, in short, that science does not use induction as a means to obtain new knowledge. As scientific theories are based on conjectures, scientists can only make deductions from the conjectured theories and test whether the predictions are valid by looking for possible refutations.

Popper believes that Hume’s refutation of inductive inference from a logical point of view is clear and conclusive. Still, he is dissatisfied with Hume’s psychological explanation of induction in terms of custom and habit. Hume believes in the psychological power of induction; not as a logically correct procedure, but as a procedure which animals and people make use of.

The answers are given by Hume to the logical and psychological problems of induction lead to the conclusion that inductive inferences are irrational. All knowledge, according to the Humean view, is mere irrational habit or custom and is rationally totally indefensible.

Popper is not satisfied with this sceptical conclusion and believes that he has a solution to Hume’s psychological problem. He reformulates Hume’s problem by widening the scope from instances to laws and by including counterinstances (refutations). Hume’s modified problem of induction now reads: Are we rationally justified in reasoning from instances, or from counterinstances, of which we have had experience to the truth or falsity of the corresponding laws or to cases of which we have had no experience?

Popper’s answer to the problem is, as implied by Hume that we are not justified in reasoning from an instance to the truth of the corresponding law. We are, however, justified in reasoning from a counterinstance to the falsity of the corresponding universal law. The acceptance of one counterinstance (the discovery of black swan) immediately falsifies the law (all swans are white).

Induction may be logically invalid, but refutation or falsification is a logically valid way of arguing from a single counterinstance to the refutation of a corresponding law. Logic forces us to reject even the most successful law the moment we accept one single counterinstance. The result of Popper’s argument is that all universal laws or theories forever remain conjectures until refuted by the discovery of a counterinstance.

The Uniformity Principle

Popper seems to have found a way out of the sceptical problems posed by Hume. The solution he proposes is, however, not what most philosophers would have hoped for, as his re-interpretation of Hume’s problem of induction leads to the view that all knowledge is a temporary approximation.

Although Hume’s reasoning has left philosophy with a huge conundrum, he does not seem to be convinced himself of his conclusion that causation is a category of the mind: “Thought may well depend on causes for its operation, but not causes on thought. This is to reverse the order of nature, and make that secondary, which is primary”.

Popper’s reformulation of Hume’s problem is an attempt to rescue a point of reference for scientific knowledge from the ashes of Hume’s argument. Both Hume and Popper are both firm believers that the Uniformity Principle is true, although no justification, other than experience, can be given.

It is a nearly generally agreed view that the problem of induction can and has to be solved only within the framework of an ontological reality and acceptance of the Uniformity Principle. Acceptance of the Uniformity Principle is problematic, and in recent times the principle has come under attack from philosophers and physicists. Ilya Prigogine regards the Uniformity Principle confirmed by the success of the theories of physics, but also as the most solid obstacle to understanding and justifying the nature of human freedom, creativity and responsibility.

He argues that we need to go beyond the determinism of the Uniformity Principle and find a way to embrace ‘indeterminism’ in physics. The Uniformity Principle allows prediction of future events, based on patterns from the past. The same principle also allows to ‘postdict’ past events by looking at the current situation. The laws of physics, as they are based on the Uniformity Principle, also allow prediction and postdiction of events.

In physics, the direction of time does not seem to matter. In everyday life, however, time certainly seems to have a direction; we can’t ‘unstir’ a cup of tea to separate the milk from the tea and we always get older, but never any younger, and so forth. Nature involves both time-reversible and time-irreversible processes, but irreversible processes are the rule and the reversible the exception.

Suppose Prigogine is right and time-irreversible processes are the rule. In that case, the Uniformity Principle is not only uncertain but wrong and can only be interpreted as a category of the mind.

The Success of Technology

There does not seem to be any satisfactory solution to the difficulties Hume raised. Popper’s theory is only a partial solution, as it presupposes the Uniformity Principle, which in turn can not be justified. Are we left with the world as unpredictable chaos? Are we forced to admit that, in the words of punk singer Johnny Rotten: “There is no solution to the problems, so enjoy the chaos”?

The apparent success of the technology, however, seems to disprove the sceptical conclusions of Hume and Prigogine’s call for indeterminism. We are surrounded by technology that validates the laws of physics, which are all based on deterministic models of reality derived by inductive reasoning. We are left with a reality without logical justification.

Suppose there is no logical justification for scientific inferences we are forced to accept instrumentalist theories. In my work as a professional engineer, I often say that there is nothing more practical than a good theory. Instrumentalism is, in this context, the view that concepts and theories are merely useful instruments whose worth is measured not by whether the concepts and theories correctly depict reality, but how effective they are in explaining and predicting phenomena.

Instrumentalism is not an answer to the logic problem of induction, as argued above. Instrumentalism is a pragmatic theory that bypasses the metaphysical problems of inductive reasoning. To the instrumentalist, inductive reasoning is a powerful tool to attempt to understand the reality we are presented with.

Earman, John and Salmon, Wesley C., ‘The confirmation of scientific hypotheses’, in: Salmon, Merrilee H., editor, Introduction to the philosophy of science (Prentice Hall, 1992), pp. 55–66, printed in Townsend (1998), p. 176–183.

Einstein, Albert, Mijn kijk op het leven (My view of the world), (Amsterdam: Corona, 1990).

Hume, David, An abstract of a book published; entitled a Treatise of Human Nature &c, (London, 1740).

Hume, David; Selby-Bigge, L.A., editor, An enquiry concerning the human understanding, and an enquiry concerning the principles of morals , (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1894).

Hume, David; Wright, John P., Stecker, Robert, and Fuller, Gary, editors, A treatise of human nature, (London: Everyman, 2003).

Popper, Karl, ‘The problem of induction’, in: Curd, M. and Covers, J.A., editors, Philosophy of science: the central issues , (New York: W.W. Norton, 1998), pp. 426–432, Originally published in: The logic of scientific discovery.

Popper, Karl R., Conjectures and refutations , 5th edition. (London: Routledge, 1989).

Prigogine, Ilya, The end of certainty, (New York: The Free Press, 1997).

Russell, Bertrand, History of western philosophy , 2nd edition. (London: Routledge, 1961).

Stove, Davide, ‘Hume, probability and induction’, in: Chappell, V.C., editor, Hume: A collection of essays, (1966).

Townsend, Aubrey, editor, Origins of modern philosophy B , (Melbourne: Monash University, 1998).

Widdershoven-Heerding, C., editor, Wetenschapsleer (Philosophy of science), (Heerlen, the Netherlands: Open Universiteit, 1995).

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How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

Catch your reader’s attention.
Give background on your topic.
Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

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Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

Braille was an extremely important invention.
The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly why the topic is important.

The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

Historical, geographical, or social context
An outline of the debate you’re addressing
A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

Argumentative
Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

It gives your writing direction and focus.
It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

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How to Write an Introduction Paragraph in 3 Steps

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It’s the roadmap to your essay, it’s the forecast for your argument, it’s...your introduction paragraph, and writing one can feel pretty intimidating. The introduction paragraph is a part of just about every kind of academic writing , from persuasive essays to research papers. But that doesn’t mean writing one is easy!

If trying to write an intro paragraph makes you feel like a Muggle trying to do magic, trust us: you aren’t alone. But there are some tips and tricks that can make the process easier—and that’s where we come in.

In this article, we’re going to explain how to write a captivating intro paragraph by covering the following info:

A discussion of what an introduction paragraph is and its purpose in an essay
An overview of the most effective introduction paragraph format, with explanations of the three main parts of an intro paragraph
An analysis of real intro paragraph examples, with a discussion of what works and what doesn’t
A list of four top tips on how to write an introduction paragraph

Are you ready? Let’s begin!

What Is an Introduction Paragraph?

An introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of an essay , paper, or other type of academic writing. Argumentative essays , book reports, research papers, and even personal essays are common types of writing that require an introduction paragraph. Whether you’re writing a research paper for a science course or an argumentative essay for English class , you’re going to have to write an intro paragraph.

So what’s the purpose of an intro paragraph? As a reader’s first impression of your essay, the intro paragraph should introduce the topic of your paper.

Your introduction will also state any claims, questions, or issues that your paper will focus on. This is commonly known as your paper’s thesis . This condenses the overall point of your paper into one or two short sentences that your reader can come back and reference later.

But intro paragraphs need to do a bit more than just introduce your topic. An intro paragraph is also supposed to grab your reader’s attention. The intro paragraph is your chance to provide just enough info and intrigue to make your reader say, “Hey, this topic sounds interesting. I think I’ll keep reading this essay!” That can help your essay stand out from the crowd.

In most cases, an intro paragraph will be relatively short. A good intro will be clear, brief, purposeful, and focused. While there are some exceptions to this rule, it’s common for intro paragraphs to consist of three to five sentences .

Effectively introducing your essay’s topic, purpose, and getting your reader invested in your essay sounds like a lot to ask from one little paragraph, huh? In the next section, we’ll demystify the intro paragraph format by breaking it down into its core parts . When you learn how to approach each part of an intro, writing one won’t seem so scary!

Once you figure out the three parts of an intro paragraph, writing one will be a piece of cake!

The 3 Main Parts of an Intro Paragraph

In general, an intro paragraph is going to have three main parts: a hook, context, and a thesis statement . Each of these pieces of the intro plays a key role in acquainting the reader with the topic and purpose of your essay.

Below, we’ll explain how to start an introduction paragraph by writing an effective hook, providing context, and crafting a thesis statement. When you put these elements together, you’ll have an intro paragraph that does a great job of making a great first impression on your audience!

Intro Paragraph Part 1: The Hook

When it comes to how to start an introduction paragraph, o ne of the most common approaches is to start with something called a hook.

What does hook mean here, though? Think of it this way: it’s like when you start a new Netflix series: you look up a few hours (and a few episodes) later and you say, “Whoa. I guess I must be hooked on this show!”

That’s how the hook is supposed to work in an intro paragrap h: it should get your reader interested enough that they don’t want to press the proverbial “pause” button while they’re reading it . In other words, a hook is designed to grab your reader’s attention and keep them reading your essay!

This means that the hook comes first in the intro paragraph format—it’ll be the opening sentence of your intro.

It’s important to realize that there are many different ways to write a good hook. But generally speaking, hooks must include these two things: what your topic is, and the angle you’re taking on that topic in your essay.

One approach to writing a hook that works is starting with a general, but interesting, statement on your topic. In this type of hook, you’re trying to provide a broad introduction to your topic and your angle on the topic in an engaging way .

For example, if you’re writing an essay about the role of the government in the American healthcare system, your hook might look something like this:

There's a growing movement to require that the federal government provide affordable, effective healthcare for all Americans.

This hook introduces the essay topic in a broad way (government and healthcare) by presenting a general statement on the topic. But the assumption presented in the hook can also be seen as controversial, which gets readers interested in learning more about what the writer—and the essay—has to say.

In other words, the statement above fulfills the goals of a good hook: it’s intriguing and provides a general introduction to the essay topic.

Intro Paragraph Part 2: Context

Once you’ve provided an attention-grabbing hook, you’ll want to give more context about your essay topic. Context refers to additional details that reveal the specific focus of your paper. So, whereas the hook provides a general introduction to your topic, context starts helping readers understand what exactly you’re going to be writing about

You can include anywhere from one to several sentences of context in your intro, depending on your teacher’s expectations, the length of your paper, and complexity of your topic. In these context-providing sentences, you want to begin narrowing the focus of your intro. You can do this by describing a specific issue or question about your topic that you’ll address in your essay. It also helps readers start to understand why the topic you’re writing about matters and why they should read about it.

So, what counts as context for an intro paragraph? Context can be any important details or descriptions that provide background on existing perspectives, common cultural attitudes, or a specific situation or controversy relating to your essay topic. The context you include should acquaint your reader with the issues, questions, or events that motivated you to write an essay on your topic...and that your reader should know in order to understand your thesis.

For instance, if you’re writing an essay analyzing the consequences of sexism in Hollywood, the context you include after your hook might make reference to the #metoo and #timesup movements that have generated public support for victims of sexual harassment.

The key takeaway here is that context establishes why you’re addressing your topic and what makes it important. It also sets you up for success on the final piece of an intro paragraph: the thesis statement.

Elle Woods' statement offers a specific point of view on the topic of murder...which means it could serve as a pretty decent thesis statement!

Intro Paragraph Part 3: The Thesis

The final key part of how to write an intro paragraph is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the backbone of your introduction: it conveys your argument or point of view on your topic in a clear, concise, and compelling way . The thesis is usually the last sentence of your intro paragraph.

Whether it’s making a claim, outlining key points, or stating a hypothesis, your thesis statement will tell your reader exactly what idea(s) are going to be addressed in your essay. A good thesis statement will be clear, straightforward, and highlight the overall point you’re trying to make.

Some instructors also ask students to include an essay map as part of their thesis. An essay map is a section that outlines the major topics a paper will address. So for instance, say you’re writing a paper that argues for the importance of public transport in rural communities. Your thesis and essay map might look like this:

Having public transport in rural communities helps people improve their economic situation by giving them reliable transportation to their job, reducing the amount of money they spend on gas, and providing new and unionized work .

The underlined section is the essay map because it touches on the three big things the writer will talk about later. It literally maps out the rest of the essay!

So let’s review: Your thesis takes the idea you’ve introduced in your hook and context and wraps it up. Think of it like a television episode: the hook sets the scene by presenting a general statement and/or interesting idea that sucks you in. The context advances the plot by describing the topic in more detail and helping readers understand why the topic is important. And finally, the thesis statement provides the climax by telling the reader what you have to say about the topic.

The thesis statement is the most important part of the intro. Without it, your reader won’t know what the purpose of your essay is! And for a piece of writing to be effective, it needs to have a clear purpose. Your thesis statement conveys that purpose , so it’s important to put careful thought into writing a clear and compelling thesis statement.

How To Write an Introduction Paragraph: Example and Analysis

Now that we’ve provided an intro paragraph outline and have explained the three key parts of an intro paragraph, let’s take a look at an intro paragraph in action.

To show you how an intro paragraph works, we’ve included a sample introduction paragraph below, followed by an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses.

Example of Introduction Paragraph

While college students in the U.S. are struggling with how to pay for college, there is another surprising demographic that’s affected by the pressure to pay for college: families and parents. In the face of tuition price tags that total more than $100,000 (as a low estimate), families must make difficult decisions about how to save for their children’s college education. Charting a feasible path to saving for college is further complicated by the FAFSA’s estimates for an “Expected Family Contribution”—an amount of money that is rarely feasible for most American families. Due to these challenging financial circumstances and cultural pressure to give one’s children the best possible chance of success in adulthood, many families are going into serious debt to pay for their children’s college education. The U.S. government should move toward bearing more of the financial burden of college education.

Example of Introduction Paragraph: Analysis

Before we dive into analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of this example intro paragraph, let’s establish the essay topic. The sample intro indicates that t he essay topic will focus on one specific issue: who should cover the cost of college education in the U.S., and why. Both the hook and the context help us identify the topic, while the thesis in the last sentence tells us why this topic matters to the writer—they think the U.S. Government needs to help finance college education. This is also the writer’s argument, which they’ll cover in the body of their essay.

Now that we’ve identified the essay topic presented in the sample intro, let’s dig into some analysis. To pin down its strengths and weaknesses, we’re going to use the following three questions to guide our example of introduction paragraph analysis:

Does this intro provide an attention-grabbing opening sentence that conveys the essay topic?
Does this intro provide relevant, engaging context about the essay topic?
Does this intro provide a thesis statement that establishes the writer’s point of view on the topic and what specific aspects of the issue the essay will address?

Now, let’s use the questions above to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of this sample intro paragraph.

Does the Intro Have a Good Hook?

First, the intro starts out with an attention-grabbing hook . The writer starts by presenting an assumption (that the U.S. federal government bears most of the financial burden of college education), which makes the topic relatable to a wide audience of readers. Also note that the hook relates to the general topic of the essay, which is the high cost of college education.

The hook then takes a surprising turn by presenting a counterclaim : that American families, rather than students, feel the true burden of paying for college. Some readers will have a strong emotional reaction to this provocative counterclaim, which will make them want to keep reading! As such, this intro provides an effective opening sentence that conveys the essay topic.

Does the Intro Give Context?

T he second, third, and fourth sentences of the intro provide contextual details that reveal the specific focus of the writer’s paper . Remember: the context helps readers start to zoom in on what the paper will focus on, and what aspect of the general topic (college costs) will be discussed later on.

The context in this intro reveals the intent and direction of the paper by explaining why the issue of families financing college is important. In other words, the context helps readers understand why this issue matters , and what aspects of this issue will be addressed in the paper.

To provide effective context, the writer refers to issues (the exorbitant cost of college and high levels of family debt) that have received a lot of recent scholarly and media attention. These sentences of context also elaborate on the interesting perspective included in the hook: that American families are most affected by college costs.

Does the Intro Have a Thesis?

Finally, this intro provides a thesis statement that conveys the writer’s point of view on the issue of financing college education. This writer believes that the U.S. government should do more to pay for students’ college educations.

However, the thesis statement doesn’t give us any details about why the writer has made this claim or why this will help American families . There isn’t an essay map that helps readers understand what points the writer will make in the essay.

To revise this thesis statement so that it establishes the specific aspects of the topic that the essay will address, the writer could add the following to the beginning of the thesis statement:

The U.S. government should take on more of the financial burden of college education because other countries have shown this can improve education rates while reducing levels of familial poverty.

Check out the new section in bold. Not only does it clarify that the writer is talking about the pressure put on families, it touches on the big topics the writer will address in the paper: improving education rates and reduction of poverty. So not only do we have a clearer argumentative statement in this thesis, we also have an essay map!

So, let’s recap our analysis. This sample intro paragraph does an effective job of providing an engaging hook and relatable, interesting context, but the thesis statement needs some work ! As you write your own intro paragraphs, you might consider using the questions above to evaluate and revise your work. Doing this will help ensure you’ve covered all of your bases and written an intro that your readers will find interesting!

4 Tips for How To Write an Introduction Paragraph

Now that we’ve gone over an example of introduction paragraph analysis, let’s talk about how to write an introduction paragraph of your own. Keep reading for four tips for writing a successful intro paragraph for any essay.

Tip 1: Analyze Your Essay Prompt

If you’re having trouble with how to start an introduction paragraph, analyze your essay prompt! Most teachers give you some kind of assignment sheet, formal instructions, or prompt to set the expectations for an essay they’ve assigned, right? Those instructions can help guide you as you write your intro paragraph!

Because they’ll be reading and responding to your essay, you want to make sure you meet your teacher’s expectations for an intro paragraph . For instance, if they’ve provided specific instructions about how long the intro should be or where the thesis statement should be located, be sure to follow them!

The type of paper you’re writing can give you clues as to how to approach your intro as well. If you’re writing a research paper, your professor might expect you to provide a research question or state a hypothesis in your intro. If you’re writing an argumentative essay, you’ll need to make sure your intro overviews the context surrounding your argument and your thesis statement includes a clear, defensible claim.

Using the parameters set out by your instructor and assignment sheet can put some easy-to-follow boundaries in place for things like your intro’s length, structure, and content. Following these guidelines can free you up to focus on other aspects of your intro... like coming up with an exciting hook and conveying your point of view on your topic!

Tip 2: Narrow Your Topic

You can’t write an intro paragraph without first identifying your topic. To make your intro as effective as possible, you need to define the parameters of your topic clearly—and you need to be specific.

For example, let’s say you want to write about college football. “NCAA football” is too broad of a topic for a paper. There is a lot to talk about in terms of college football! It would be tough to write an intro paragraph that’s focused, purposeful, and engaging on this topic. In fact, if you did try to address this whole topic, you’d probably end up writing a book!

Instead, you should narrow broad topics to identify a specific question, claim, or issue pertaining to some aspect of NCAA football for your intro to be effective. So, for instance, you could frame your topic as, “How can college professors better support NCAA football players in academics?” This focused topic pertaining to NCAA football would give you a more manageable angle to discuss in your paper.

So before you think about writing your intro, ask yourself: Is my essay topic specific, focused, and logical? Does it convey an issue or question that I can explore over the course of several pages? Once you’ve established a good topic, you’ll have the foundation you need to write an effective intro paragraph .

Once you've figured out your topic, it's time to hit the books!

Tip 3: Do Your Research

This tip is tightly intertwined with the one above, and it’s crucial to writing a good intro: do your research! And, guess what? This tip applies to all papers—even ones that aren’t technically research papers.

Here’s why you need to do some research: getting the lay of the land on what others have said about your topic—whether that’s scholars and researchers or the mass media— will help you narrow your topic, write an engaging hook, and provide relatable context.

You don't want to sit down to write your intro without a solid understanding of the different perspectives on your topic. Whether those are the perspectives of experts or the general public, these points of view will help you write your intro in a way that is intriguing and compelling for your audience of readers.

Tip 4: Write Multiple Drafts

Some say to write your intro first; others say write it last. The truth is, there isn’t a right or wrong time to write your intro—but you do need to have enough time to write multiple drafts .

Oftentimes, your professor will ask you to write multiple drafts of your paper, which gives you a built-in way to make sure you revise your intro. Another approach you could take is to write out a rough draft of your intro before you begin writing your essay, then revise it multiple times as you draft out your paper.

Here’s why this approach can work: as you write your paper, you’ll probably come up with new insights on your topic that you didn’t have right from the start. You can use these “light bulb” moments to reevaluate your intro and make revisions that keep it in line with your developing essay draft.

Once you’ve written your entire essay, consider going back and revising your intro again . You can ask yourself these questions as you evaluate your intro:

Is my hook still relevant to the way I’ve approached the topic in my essay?
Do I provide enough appropriate context to introduce my essay?
Now that my essay is written, does my thesis statement still accurately reflect the point of view that I present in my essay?

Using these questions as a guide and putting your intro through multiple revisions will help ensure that you’ve written the best intro for the final draft of your essay. Also, revising your writing is always a good thing to do—and this applies to your intro, too!

What's Next?

Your college essays also need great intro paragraphs. Here’s a guide that focuses on how to write the perfect intro for your admissions essays.

Of course, the intro is just one part of your college essay . This article will teach you how to write a college essay that makes admissions counselors sit up and take notice.

Are you trying to write an analytical essay? Our step-by-step guide can help you knock it out of the park.

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The Concept of Induction Report

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Current business context, learning theory – current business context, reference list.

For most organizations, induction programs for new employees are becoming a common practice. This is because the retention of employees has become a critical problem owing to the changing workforce trends and business setting. Induction programs are being adopted to enable the employees adjust to the new work environment. This discussion explores the concept of induction and its benefits to both the organization and the employees.

Learning and Development in the Current Business context

Learning and development is the process of improving employees’ performance in the organization through training, education, and development. It entails a continuing commitment towards the development of employees as an important part of the operations of an organization. Learning and development involves continuous professional development of the employees and this gives them a chance to improve their knowledge, skills, and practice (Sadler-Smith 2006).

Learning and development has various benefits. It increases the confidence, motivation, morale, and satisfaction among the employees. Moreover, it enables the employees to perform their roles efficiently and therefore increases the productivity of the organization.

Learning and development also increases the organization’s capacity to keep pace with new methods and emerging technologies, and also increases innovation in terms of products and strategies. Proper learning and development also minimizes employee turnover. In addition, it enhances the organization’s image (Joy-Matthews, Megginson, & Surtees 2004).

Induction – Current Business context

This is a process through which firms welcome new workers and ensure that they are prepared for their new assignments. During this process, the employees should be trained on both the practical and theoretical skills (Toten 2005). The process of induction includes several activities.

The new employees are welcomed into the organization and given a general introduction. Employment’s terms and conditions are confirmed with the necessary paperwork being processed. Employees are then trained in areas such as occupational health & safety and equal opportunity. The employees are also informed about any legal and regulatory requirements.

They are also introduced to the company and given a tour around the organization. The new employees are also introduced to key staff members. The new employees also go through detailed on-the-job training. They are also trained on the organizational culture. They also learn information such as employee benefits and organizational procedures and policies (Stewart & Rigg 2011).

Best practices should be adopted in order to achieve a successful induction process. Firstly, the program for the employee induction should be scheduled in advance. A program for the induction process should be prepared, including details such as the specific induction activities that will be carried out at a specific time during the entire induction period.

The schedule should also include the name of the person responsible for every induction activity. All the people involved in the induction process should have access to the induction plan before the program commences. Moreover, all new employees should be assigned a member of staff to guide them during the induction process and make them feel welcome to the organization (ACAS 2007).

Induction has numerous benefits both to the organization and the employees. Induction ensures that the employees acquire information about the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively do the job. The employees are able to settle easily and confidently into their new roles in the organization. Induction also leads to better retention of new employees. It also increases the morale and productivity of new employees.

Besides, it assists in the quick integration of new employees into the working environment and increases their productivity. The induction procedure portrays a positive image of the firm to the new workforce making them feel appreciated and welcomed. Besides, the employees develop positive attitudes towards the organization and their roles and this leads to increased commitment and motivation.

In addition, it reduces the costs of recruitment and employee turnover. Furthermore, it enables the employees to understand how the organization runs and its culture, mission, vision, objectives, procedures, and policies. Induction also makes sure that the organization complies with the legal obligations covering the employees (Toten 2005).

Developing an effectual induction (training) line up

The programme should be developed with the consideration of all involved parties. This will mostly depend on the complexity as well as the size of the organization. Those involved include: line managers, senior most management team, representatives of trade unions, among others.

Typically induction entails the new member of staff meeting and paying attention to divergent group of individuals as they converse about features of the business. Other techniques include audio visual aids, on paper information, and group conversation.

Items to be touched on in a successful induction plan will include:

Introduction to the organization as well as its management composition.
Buildings layout (industrial unit and offices).
Employment’s terms as well as the set conditions. This will involve clarification on the contact at hand.
Information regarding pertinent personnel guidelines, such as preparation, promotion among others.
Organization’s set practices and rules.
Preparations for worker participation and communication.
Welfare and employee benefits or facilities (Sadler-Smith 2006).

Adult Learning

Adults have unique requirements, needs, and characteristics as learners. They only get committed to learning if they can see the relevance and application to real life of the objectives of learning. During professional development, adults should be given some control over their learning as they will not accept learning activities that may seem to undermine their competence. Adult learners also have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and competence and these must be accommodated in the planning of professional development (Siddons 2001).

Adult learners also need to protect their ego and therefore the learning environment should be such that there is no fear of being judged during professional development. Moreover, adult learners need to perceive the connection between their day-to-day roles and professional growth. They also need real and direct experiences to apply the learning at the workplace (Conlan, Grabowski, & Smith 2003).

Training Needs Analysis

This involves the process of identifying gaps at the place of work and suggesting whether training should be the ideal response. A consultant or an in-house trainer can perform a needs analysis in an organization. The analysis is carried out in a firm whenever there is a major development e.g. buying of new tools.

New training needs can be determined through observation, interviews, and questionnaires, analysis of the organization policy, job descriptions, appraisal reviews, and problem-solving conferences, among others. One should not rely on one method only but should use a combination of methods to determine the training needs (Reid, Barrington, & Brown 2004).

Source: (Bartram & Gibson 2000).

Needs assessment occur in three levels: individual, task, and organizational. Individual assessment looks at how well the worker is carrying out his work thus determining those to be trained and the skills to be taught.

Task assessment offers data regarding a given job and the proficiency, understanding, attitudes as well as capability to attain best possible performance. Organizational analysis on the other hand focuses on organization’s effectiveness determining the areas in which training is required as well as the conditions of conducting the same (Reid, Barrington, & Brown 2004).

Learning Cycle

Employees undergo a learning cycle in going about their everyday experiences at the workplace and developing new capabilities and skills. The cycle includes four steps namely, doing, reflecting, linking, and planning. Doing involves getting engaged and having the awareness of the activities that one is taking part in. Reflecting refers to the process of appraising and summarizing the activities that have already taken place.

Linking involves making relations with previously acquired knowledge. Planning involves using the acquired knowledge to improve the work processes and come up with new ways of doing things. For effective learning to take place, individuals should engage in every stage of the learning cycle (Taylor 2010).

Source: (Taylor 2010).

Learning Styles

Different people prefer different techniques and styles of learning. Each person has a combination of learning styles. Some of the learning styles include visual, aural, verbal, kinesthetic, logical, social, and solitary. People who use the visual learning style prefer to use images, pictures, and spatial learning. Aural style involves the use of music and sound. The verbal style learners prefer to use words in writing and speaking.

Kinesthetic learners prefer to use the sense of touch (the hands, and the body). Logical style learners prefer the use of reasoning, judgment, and systems. Social learners prefer learning with other individuals in groups. On the other hand, solitary learners prefer to learn alone. Different learning styles utilize different brain parts. Learning styles influence the way people learn, recall information, and represent experiences (Sadler-Smith & Evans 2006).

ACAS, 2007, Recruitment and Induction. Web.

Bartram, S & Gibson, B 2000, Training Needs Analysis Toolkit , London, HRD Press.

Conlan, J Grabowski, S & Smith, K 2003, Adult Learning . Web.

Joy-Matthews, J Megginson, D & Surtees, M 2004, Human Resource Development, 3rd Ed, London, Kogan Page.

Reid, M Barrington, H & Brown, M 2004, Human Resource Development: Beyond Training Interventions , 3rd Ed, London, CIPD.

Sadler-Smith, E 2006, Learning and Development for Managers: Perspectives from Research and Practice , UK, Blackwell.

Sadler-Smith, E & Evans, C 2006, Learning Styles in Education and Training, UK, Emerald Group Publishing.

Siddons, S 2001, Developing Your People , London, CIPD.

Stewart, J & Rigg, C 2011, Learning and Talent Development , London, CIPD.

Taylor, S 2010, Resourcing and Talent Management, 5th Ed, London, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Toten, M 2005, Induction: an Underrated Aspect of People Management . Web.

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How to Write a Deductive Essay Like Immanuel Kant?

Did you know that Immanuel Kant, an influential 18th-century German philosopher, significantly contributed to how we write a deductive essay today through his groundbreaking work in epistemology and metaphysics? Kant's emphasis on rationalism and the nature of human cognition profoundly impacted the structure and approach to deductive reasoning in academic discourse.

In his seminal work, the "Critique of Pure Reason," Kant explored the relationship between a priori knowledge and deductive rationale, arguing that certain truths are inherent in the structure of human thought. This perspective had a lasting impact on how philosophers and writers approached deductive essays, encouraging a deeper consideration of the inherent principles guiding logical thought processes.

In this article, we will use Kant's insights to show you how to compose engaging deductive essays without straining yourself.

What Is a Deductive Essay

According to the definition, a deductive essay is a form of academic writing that follows a logical and structured approach to presenting an argument or thesis. In this type of essay, the author begins with a general premise or hypothesis and then provides specific evidence and examples to support and validate the initial assertion. The deductive process involves moving from the general to the specific, ultimately leading to a well-founded conclusion.

Unlike inductive reasoning, which derives general principles from specific observations, papers start with a broad statement and work towards a more specific and nuanced understanding. Every essay writer sees the purpose of a deductive essay to convince the reader of the validity of the central claim through a carefully crafted sequence of logical steps and evidence, demonstrating a clear and persuasive line of thought.

Deductive vs Inductive Writing Styles

Deductive and inductive reasoning represent contrasting approaches to logical thinking and are fundamental in shaping the structure of arguments and essays. Deductive writing begins with a general statement or hypothesis and then narrows down to specific conclusions through a series of logical steps. The process is characterized by moving from the broader to the more specific, aiming to demonstrate the inherent truth of the initial proposition. If the general premise in deductive thinking is true and the logical steps are valid, the conclusion is deemed certain. This form of rationale is often associated with formal logic and mathematical proofs, making it a structured and rigorous method for constructing arguments.

On the other hand, the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning starts with specific observations or evidence and moves toward broader generalizations or theories. Unlike deductive logic, inductive arguments do not guarantee the truth of their conclusions. Instead, they aim to establish a likely probability. Inductive writing is prevalent in scientific inquiry, where empirical observations lead to formulating hypotheses and theories. It acknowledges the inherent uncertainty in drawing broad conclusions from specific instances and allows for knowledge development through cumulative evidence and repeated observations. Both deductive and inductive writing styles play vital roles in critical thinking and shaping the persuasive power of various forms of discourse, including essays and academic writing.

Deductive Essay Example

Check out this deductive essay example designed to elucidate the methodology and highlight how deductive reasoning constructs a persuasive argument. Study our analysis of the correlation between smartphone usage and sleep quality to observe the effectiveness of this logical writing approach in practical application. By the way, if you enjoy this example and want a paper of similar quality, try our custom research paper writing solution for a quick and consistent result.

How to Write a Deductive Essay

Writing a deduction essay involves several key aspects contributing to its effectiveness and coherence. By paying attention to these aspects, writers can effectively convey their deductive reasoning, creating essays that are both persuasive and intellectually satisfying.

1. Clear Thesis Statement

Begin with brainstorming deductive essay topics and then presenting a clear and concise thesis statement that conveys the main argument or hypothesis. This statement serves as the foundation for the entire essay and guides the reader in understanding the central claim.

2. Logical Structure

Deductive essays require a well-organized structure that follows a logical progression. Typically, the essay moves from a general premise to specific evidence and then to a conclusive statement. Each paragraph should build upon the previous one, creating a coherent and convincing argument.

3. Evidential Support

Providing strong evidence to support the central thesis is crucial in deductive reasoning. Relevant examples, facts, or data should support each step in the argument. This evidential support enhances the credibility of the essay and strengthens the logical flow of ideas.

4. Clarity in Reasoning

Deduction essays demand clarity in reasoning. Each step in the logical sequence should be explicit and easy for the reader to follow. Avoid ambiguity and ensure that the connections between the general premise, specific evidence, and the conclusion are transparent.

5. Conclusion and Recapitulation

A deductive essay concludes by summarizing the key points and restating the thesis in light of the presented evidence. The conclusion should reaffirm the logical connections established throughout the essay and leave a lasting impression on the reader, reinforcing the validity of the central argument. If you want to learn how to write an essay fast , this guide will definitely help!

What Are Deductive Arguments

Deductive arguments form a category of reasoning where the conclusion logically follows from the premises, providing a form of certainty if the premises are true. These arguments are characterized by moving from the general to the specific, and the structure ensures that if the premises are accurate, the conclusion must be true. In other words, deductive reasoning is concerned with the necessity of the conclusion based on the provided premises. This process mirrors a top-down approach, where a broad statement or hypothesis leads to more specific, grounded outcomes through a series of logical steps.

If you want to really learn how to write deductive essay, presenting a rigid deductive argument is a must-do. If the initial premise is true and the reasoning is valid, the conclusion is considered certain or logically necessary. Deductive arguments are prevalent in mathematics, formal logic, and various scientific disciplines where precision and certainty are essential. Philosophers like Aristotle and later logicians have extensively studied and formalized deductive reasoning, contributing to its prominence in logical discourse.

While deductive arguments offer a high degree of certainty, it is crucial to distinguish them from inductive reasoning. Inductive arguments involve moving from specific observations to broader generalizations and only provide a degree of probability rather than certainty. Deductive reasoning, emphasizing logical necessity, is fundamental in constructing rigorous and convincing arguments in various academic and intellectual domains.

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Structure of a DeducDeductive Essay Structure

Much like a well-orchestrated symphony, a deductive essay unfolds with precision, building from a sweeping general premise to a finely tuned conclusion. This essay structure symbolizes a deliberate journey where each paragraph serves as a stepping stone, leading readers through the intricate maze of deductive reasoning. In the symphony of words, the introduction sets the stage, the body paragraphs harmonize evidence, and the conclusion orchestrates a powerful finale, leaving an indelible imprint of logical prowess. So, let's unravel the layers of how to write an academic essay where persuasion meets the elegance of structured thoughts.

Introduction

The structure of a deduction essay is characterized by a systematic progression from a general premise to a specific conclusion. The essay typically begins with an introduction with a clear and concise thesis statement, presenting the overarching argument. This thesis serves as the foundation for the subsequent development of the essay. Following the introduction, the body paragraphs unfold logically, each contributing to the overall deductive reasoning.

In the body of the essay, each paragraph is dedicated to a specific aspect or piece of evidence that supports the thesis. The writer starts with a general statement, laying out the initial premise, and then presents detailed evidence or examples. These specifics gradually lead the reader toward a more specific and focused understanding of the central argument. The logical progression ensures that each step in the argument is built upon the previous one, creating a coherent and convincing line of reasoning.

The conclusion of a deductive essay serves to summarize the key points and restate the thesis in light of the evidence provided. It reaffirms the logical connections established throughout the essay and emphasizes the validity of the central argument. The essay structure, therefore, mirrors the process of deductive reasoning itself, guiding the reader through a carefully crafted sequence of logical steps to arrive at a well-founded conclusion. This approach is essential for constructing a persuasive and intellectually satisfying composition. To learn more, consult our guide on how to write a conclusion for an essay .

Deductive Essay Key Considerations

Several key considerations merit thoughtful attention to ensure the effectiveness and persuasiveness of the argument presented. One fundamental aspect is the formulation of a clear and well-defined thesis statement. This statement is the guiding beacon for the entire essay, articulating the central premise from which logical deductions will flow. The clarity in the thesis not only aligns the writer's focus but also provides readers with a roadmap for the forthcoming journey of deductive reasoning.

Equally crucial is the logical structure of the essay. Deductive essays demand a systematic arrangement that moves seamlessly from the general to the specific. Each paragraph should be a carefully calibrated step in the logical sequence, building a persuasive case for the validity of the central argument. The interconnection of ideas and the seamless transition from one point to the next contribute significantly to the overall coherence and impact of the essay.

Moreover, the provision of compelling evidential support cannot be overstated. Deductive reasoning hinges on the strength and relevance of the evidence presented. Writers must meticulously select examples, facts, or data that directly support each logical step, reinforcing the argument's credibility. A well-supported deductive essay not only persuades but also instills confidence in the reader regarding the soundness of the conclusion drawn.

Finally, key writing considerations encompass the formulation of a clear thesis, the establishment of a logical structure, and the incorporation of compelling evidence. By addressing these considerations with precision, writers can construct deductive essays that not only showcase intellectual prowess but also leave a lasting impact on the audience.

Deductive Essay Writing Tips

Writing a deductive essay involves presenting a logical argument based on premises and drawing a conclusion. Remember that writing relies on the strength of the logic and evidence presented. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective paper:

1. Understand the Structure:

Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the topic and state the thesis or main argument.
Body Paragraphs: Present your premises separately, providing evidence and supporting details for each.
Conclusion: Summarize the main points and restate the conclusion based on the premises.

2. Cogitate a Thesis Statement:

Clearly state your main argument or thesis in the introduction.
Make sure your thesis is specific and debatable.
Consult a deductive essay example for inspiration.

3. Identify Premises:

Clearly state the premises that lead to your conclusion.
Each premise should be logically connected to the others.

4. Logical Order:

Present your premises in a logical order, starting with the most general and progressing to the more specific.
Ensure a clear and coherent flow between paragraphs.

5. Provide Evidence:

Support each premise with relevant evidence, examples, or data.
Use credible sources to strengthen your arguments.

6. Avoid Fallacies:

Be aware of common logical fallacies and avoid using them in your arguments.
Common fallacies include hasty generalizations, ad hominem attacks, and faulty causation.
Study the types of tone in writing .

7. Clarity and Precision:

Use clear and precise language to convey your ideas.
Define any terms that may be unclear or have multiple interpretations.

8. Counterarguments:

Address potential counterarguments to strengthen your position.
Refute counterarguments with logical reasoning and evidence.

9. Conciseness:

Be concise in your writing. Avoid unnecessary words or information.
Stick to the relevant points that directly contribute to your argument.

10. Relevance:

Ensure that all information presented is relevant to the main argument.
Remove any unnecessary details or tangential information.

11. Proofread and Edit:

Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Edit for clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness.
Ask others to read your essay and provide constructive feedback.

20 Great Deductive Essay Topics

Should you encounter difficulty in selecting topics to explore, do not worry! We have compiled an outstanding list suitable for diverse assignments, ranging from standard homework tasks to more complex projects. Additionally, we have an extensive list of argumentative essay topics that will definitely ignite your creativity!

How does higher education impact career opportunities and economic success?
The Impact of technological advancements on human relationships.
The link between educational attainment and economic success.
The relationship between environmental conservation and economic growth: Exploring the sustainability paradigm.
What role does early childhood education play in long-term academic achievement?
Can universal basic income lead to increased employment rates and economic stability?
The influence of social media on mental health: Investigating the connection between online presence and well-being.
Assessing the strengths and challenges of a multicultural workforce.
Analyzing the relationship between government policies and income inequality.
The impact of early childhood education on long-term academic achievement.
How will artificial intelligence affect employment in the future of work?
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Deductive essays offer college students valuable opportunities to enhance critical thinking and analytical skills. Through the systematic presentation of premises leading to a logical conclusion, students develop the ability to analyze information, identify patterns, and draw reasoned inferences. Engaging with deductive reasoning encourages students to structure their thoughts methodically, fostering clarity in communication.

These essays also promote effective problem-solving as students must assess evidence, evaluate its relevance, and construct a compelling argument. Moreover, such essays provide a platform for honing research skills, as students often need to gather and synthesize information to support their claims. In case you’d like to continue improving your skills of convincing readers, we suggest you read our persuasive essay format guide with more interesting information on the topic.

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Abner Haynes, a Star of the A.F.L.’s Early Years, Dies at 86

He was a threat as a halfback, receiver and returner for the Dallas Texans, the team that became the Kansas City Chiefs. But he still had to deal with racism.

A black-and-white photo of Abner Haynes, wearing uniform No. 28 and a helmet with a map of Texas on it, running with the football as two players try to tackle him.

By Richard Sandomir

Abner Haynes, a fast, exciting and elusive halfback who integrated his college team in Texas, and who later became an early star of the brand-new American Football League as it battled for recognition against the established N.F.L., died on July 17 in Dallas. He was 86.

His sons Abner Jr. and King David confirmed the death, in a hospital, but said they did not know the cause.

Playing for the Dallas Texans, Haynes rushed for a league-leading 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 1960 ; he also ranked fifth in the league in receiving, with 55 catches, and first in punt return yardage. He was voted Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year.

The Texans moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs in 1963.

“He was a franchise player before they talked about franchise players,” Hank Stram, who coached the team from 1960 to 1974, told The Kansas City Star in 1991. “He did it all: rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, punt returns. He gave us the dimension we needed to be a good team in Dallas.”

In one of his greatest games, Haynes rushed for four touchdowns and scored a fifth on a 66-yard pass in a 43-11 romp over the Oakland Raiders in 1961. The five individual touchdowns remain a franchise record, shared with Jamaal Charles, who tied it in 2013.

In 1962, Haynes ran for 1,049 yards, the most in his career and second in the league. He also scored a league-leading 19 rushing and receiving touchdowns.

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COMMENTS

Inductive Essays: Tips, Examples, And Topics
Elements of an Inductive Essay. Most of the time, an inductive essay has three main parts: an intro, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should explain what the topic is about and show the evidence that will be looked at in the essay.It should also have a thesis statement that sums up the conclusion that will be drawn from the evidence.
Inductive vs. Deductive Writing
Dr. Tamara Fudge, Kaplan University professor in the School of Business and IT There are several ways to present information when writing, including those that employ inductive and deductive reasoning. The difference can be stated simply: Inductive reasoning presents facts and then wraps them up with a conclusion. Deductive reasoning presents a thesis statement and…
Inductive Essay Examples
Inductive Essay Examples. 20 samples. Unlike in a deductive essay, inductive texts explore the topic without arguing for the correctness of the hypothesis. Here you will provide evidence first and suggest your reasoning only in the concluding paragraph. In terms of structure, you move from the particular cases to the general principle.
15 Inductive Reasoning Examples (2024)
Well-Formulated Inductive Reasoning Examples. 1. Polling and Surveys. "We surveyed 1,000 people across the county and 520 of them said they will vote to re-elect the mayor. We estimate that 52% of the county will vote for the mayor and he will be re-elected.". Many statisticians make a living from conducting tried-and-true inductive ...
Inductive Reasoning
Examples: Inductive reasoning. Nala is an orange cat and she purrs loudly. Baby Jack said his first word at the age of 12 months. Every orange cat I've met purrs loudly. All observed babies say their first word at the age of 12 months. All orange cats purr loudly. All babies say their first word at the age of 12 months.
How to Write an Inductive Essay
Induction and deduction are opposite forms of reasoning. Deduction is a type of formal logic in which you can arrive at a conclusion based on the truth of generalization. For instance, if all llamas are mammals, and Edgar is a llama, then you may deduce that Edgar is a mammal. Induction takes the opposite approach, ...
Induction Examples and Definition
Common Examples of Induction. We use inductive reasoning frequently in daily life, for better or worse. Here are some common examples of inductive reasoning: I got coffee once at the cafe and it was horrible, so all of their coffee must be terrible. She's been married twice and divorced twice; she must be a difficult wife.
Inductive vs. Deductive Research Approach
Revised on June 22, 2023. The main difference between inductive and deductive reasoning is that inductive reasoning aims at developing a theory while deductive reasoning aims at testing an existing theory. In other words, inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to broad generalizations. Deductive reasoning works the other way around.
️ Inductive Approach in Writing: Free Examples and Guide
An inductive essay is a type of writing that aims to persuade the reader to accept a conclusion based on the presentation of evidence or examples. This type of essay is often used in academic writing to explore a particular topic, to draw conclusions about it, and to convince the reader that those conclusions are valid.
Inductive Order, Inductive Reasoning, Inductive Writing
Inductive Order and Inductive Reasoning refer to the practice of deriving general principles, claims, and theories from specific instances and observations. When employing an inductive approach, rhetors move from specific instances to a general conclusion; from from data to theory; from observations of particular instances to premises about what those events mean.
What's the Difference Between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning?
Using inductive reasoning in essays, such as observation essays, allows you to observe patterns in behaviors and draw conclusions based on what you've witnessed or based on experiments you've conducted. Inductive reasoning examples. Below are two examples of how you might use inductive reasoning in an observation essay. Example #1:
Inductive & Deductive Reasoning
In the context of this deductive reasoning essay, an argument from analogy is one of the examples under deductive reasoning. The rule underlying this module is that in the case where P and Q are similar and have properties a, b, and c, object P has an extra property, "x.". Therefore, Q will automatically have the same extra property, "x ...
PDF Induction vs Deduction
Induction vs. Deduction In writing, argument is used in an attempt to convince the reader of the truth or falsity of some proposal or thesis. Two of the methods used are induction and deduction. Induction: A process of reasoning (arguing) which infers a general conclusion based on individual cases, examples, specific bits of evidence, and other specific
Induction
Induction is known as a conclusion reached through reasoning. An inductive statement is derived using facts and instances which lead to the formation of a general opinion. Though all the facts upon which the conclusion is based are true, there is still a chance of the conclusion reached being false. This type of reasoning goes from specific ...
Induction vs Deduction
This is known as the inductive method. Induction comes from two Latin words meaning "to lead into.". As a writer, you lead your reader to the thesis, using the evidence in each paragraph (facts, statistics, case histories, quotes) to slowly build up to the thesis. Approximately 5% of what you read follows this method.
Introductions
1. The placeholder introduction. When you don't have much to say on a given topic, it is easy to create this kind of introduction. Essentially, this kind of weaker introduction contains several sentences that are vague and don't really say much. They exist just to take up the "introduction space" in your paper.
Hume Arguments for the Problem of Induction
This essay investigates the sceptical arguments regarding the validity of inductive inferences by David Hume and the solution proposed by Karl Popper. Although Popper's solution has significant practical implications, Hume's problem remains unsolved, and a different approach is needed to account for the success of inductive reasoning.
How to Write an Essay Introduction
Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
How to Write an Introduction Paragraph in 3 Steps
Intro Paragraph Part 3: The Thesis. The final key part of how to write an intro paragraph is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the backbone of your introduction: it conveys your argument or point of view on your topic in a clear, concise, and compelling way. The thesis is usually the last sentence of your intro paragraph.
The Concept of Induction
Induction - Current Business context. This is a process through which firms welcome new workers and ensure that they are prepared for their new assignments. During this process, the employees should be trained on both the practical and theoretical skills (Toten 2005). The process of induction includes several activities.
EssayPro Blog
Unlike inductive reasoning, which derives general principles from specific observations, papers start with a broad statement and work towards a more specific and nuanced understanding. ... The essay structure, therefore, mirrors the process of deductive reasoning itself, guiding the reader through a carefully crafted sequence of logical steps ...
Abner Haynes, a Star of the A.F.L.'s Early Years, Dies at 86
Abner Haynes, a fast, exciting and elusive halfback who integrated his college team in Texas, and who later became an early star of the brand-new American Football League as it battled for ...