1. In statistics, the process of hypothesis testing involves data preparation, including explorative data analysis. Do you think explorative data analysis is important? Why, or why not? At least 200 W

One option for a hook is a brief anecdote or narrative, but you should avoid lengthy personal stories or hypothetical situations that delay the introduction of the main argument and distract from the main point. Your hook should not take up the entire introductory paragraph ( Arlov , 2010). You should also note that personal experiences are not appropriate in every assignment. If the personal experience distracts readers from your overall point or if you have been asked to write based on research instead of personal experiences, you should use a different hook.

Another option for a hook is a surprising statistic or fact that is related to your topic.

(Aaron, 2016). A third option is a quotation. If you find a quotation that really captures the problem you want to explore, it can serve as the hook. (Ballenger, 2007).

Quotations from experts can serve as a hook and be a jumping -off point for your own ideas. However, any quotations used must be relevant to your topic. ( Reinking & Osten , 2014).

If you are writing a paper on texting and driving, for example, you could include a surprising and intriguing statistic about the number of vehicle deaths caused by texting.

You could also use a specific news story of a teenager’s death due to texting and 4 driving. Either of these options will engage the readers with the topic . 4 Our introductions must include more than the hook to prepare readers for the upcoming essay. Background information gives necessary details that people outside of your course would need to understand the paper ( Arlov , 2010). Examples of background information include titles and authors of articles you have been asked to analyze, controversy surrounding your topic, technical terms that need to be defined, and hypothetical situations or actual cases that you have been asked to evaluate.

Include details that readers who are not in your class would need in order to understand the paper ( Arlov , 2010). The introduction also prepares readers for the paper by stating your thesis. Your introduction should clearly state what your main argument is or what the main topic to be discussed is ( Arlov , 2010). The introduction prepares the readers for what is to come by focusing their line of sight on the topics to be discussed. After reading your introduction, readers should have a good idea of what you are going to talk about in the paper. Remember that some assignments have specific requirements for the introduction. Make sure to check the syllabus and understand the assignment requirements before writing the introduction. 5 Beginnings can be hard to write and sometimes we need a warm -up paragraph (Aaron, 2016). However, we need to make sure to revise our introductions and cut out any generalizations, announcements of what we will do in the essay, or apologies. We should not try to make broad, sweeping generalizations like since the dawn of man . Apologies also weaken an introduction. (Aaron, 2016). Saying I don’t know much about this topic, but my understanding is… or I might be wrong, but I think … does not inspire confidence in your readers. You should not apologize for your opinion or for inexperience. (Aaron, 2016). We also should avoid introducing our topic by saying in this essay, I will…. (Aaron, 2016). Statements that detail what the essay will do should appear in the abstract, not the introduction. 6 “Readers remember beginnings and endings” (Ballenger, 2007, p. 196). So, it is important to understand both the introduction and the conclusion. The conclusion’s most basic purpose is to let the readers know that the paper is ending ( Arlov , 2010). This is the last chance you have to get your point across to the readers. Conclusions do this by reminding the readers of your points and showing them the importance of what you have written ( Arlov , 2010). 7 One way to keep the readers thinking about your topic is to highlight your main points. The summary portion of the conclusion “draws together and reinforces the main points of a paper” ( Reinking & Osten , 2014, p. 101). While summary is beneficial to the conclusion, you should avoid endings that simply re -state what you have already said. You need to reword the thesis and your main points. ( Arlov , 2010) Avoid copying the thesis statement and topic sentences and pasting them into the conclusion. Ballenger (2007) argues that a conclusion needs to add something to the paper. Therefore, you should not re -use the same wording . 8 If a conclusion should add something to the paper (Ballenger, 2007), what are our choices to add to the summary? One way to leave your audience thinking about your argument is to make a recommendation or present a solution to the issue you have identified. You could also illustrate the importance of your argument by showing what it means for your readers or society as a whole. Show your audience how the problem affects them and make a prediction about what may happen if things continue as they are ( Arlov , 2010). You can also leave readers thinking about what you have written by challenging them to act or to do something to fix the issue ( Reinking & Osten ,2014). For example, a paper targeting an audience of fire fighters and discussing safety equipment could end as follows: Fire fighters should refuse to enter dangerous settings without the proper equipment . This statement challenges the audience to take their safety into their own hands. 9 Though conclusions should add something to the paper, they should not bring up new sources or new evidence ( Reinking & Osten , 2014). The conclusion is supposed to signify the end, and introducing new evidence will make the paragraph seem more like a body paragraph than an ending. Endings that apologize for you not being an expert make your readers doubt what you have written (Aaron, 2016). “Saying that you could have done a better job makes a reader wonder why you didn’t” ( Reinking & Osten , 2014, p. 100). You should also avoid trailing off into new topics that are not related to what you’ve been discussing or abruptly ending after the re -statement of the thesis. (Ballenger, 2007). Cutting off your essay without a conclusion or with a really short conclusion does not leave readers thinking about your topic; it usually leaves them disappointed and wondering if you have truly finished the essay. 10 If you have any questions about any of this information or if you need help with writing skills or APA, we in the Writing Center are here to help. If you have any questions, please feel free to call at 1 -800 -977 -8449 ext. 6538 or email us at [email protected]. In addition, if you would like to work with a writing specialist, you can send your papers in before you submit them to your professor for a grade. Simply fill out the Writing Center Request form located in your Student Portal , attach your paper, and we will give instructions on skills that are needed. We will email your paper back to you with specific resources to help you.

Please be advised that writing specialists require up to two business days to process requests. 11 As part of the Success Center, these other services are available: the Office of Disability Services, English Language Learner Services, and the Math Center. Feel free to call or email them for assistance. 12 These sources were used in this presentation. 13 Thank you! 14