How to avoid introduction cliches
I'm writing a research paper in one of my math classes about the P vs NP problem. I feel the introduction to my paper sounds like a cliche. This is my intro:
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an
exceptional level of difficulty.
How do I avoid such cliches in my writing and create a strong opening line?
academic-writing openings
New contributor
add a comment |
I'm writing a research paper in one of my math classes about the P vs NP problem. I feel the introduction to my paper sounds like a cliche. This is my intro:
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an
exceptional level of difficulty.
How do I avoid such cliches in my writing and create a strong opening line?
academic-writing openings
New contributor
Welcome to Writing.SE Mettal. Please take the tour and spend some time hanging out. We're glad to have you. Asking for helping re-writing your work is completely off topic here. So I edited your question into one asking how to avoid cliches in opening sentences.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Hey Mettal, I appreciate that you liked my answer but we ask that people give it a full 1-2 days at least before choosing a best answer. The idea is to encourage other people to answer. Once you get a bit more rep, you'll be able to upvote any answer you like, or all of them. There's no time limit on choosing a best answer and you'll still get your 2 points no matter when you do it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
add a comment |
I'm writing a research paper in one of my math classes about the P vs NP problem. I feel the introduction to my paper sounds like a cliche. This is my intro:
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an
exceptional level of difficulty.
How do I avoid such cliches in my writing and create a strong opening line?
academic-writing openings
New contributor
I'm writing a research paper in one of my math classes about the P vs NP problem. I feel the introduction to my paper sounds like a cliche. This is my intro:
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an
exceptional level of difficulty.
How do I avoid such cliches in my writing and create a strong opening line?
academic-writing openings
academic-writing openings
New contributor
New contributor
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
18.7k14087
18.7k14087
New contributor
asked 10 hours ago
MettalMettal
262
262
New contributor
New contributor
Welcome to Writing.SE Mettal. Please take the tour and spend some time hanging out. We're glad to have you. Asking for helping re-writing your work is completely off topic here. So I edited your question into one asking how to avoid cliches in opening sentences.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Hey Mettal, I appreciate that you liked my answer but we ask that people give it a full 1-2 days at least before choosing a best answer. The idea is to encourage other people to answer. Once you get a bit more rep, you'll be able to upvote any answer you like, or all of them. There's no time limit on choosing a best answer and you'll still get your 2 points no matter when you do it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
add a comment |
Welcome to Writing.SE Mettal. Please take the tour and spend some time hanging out. We're glad to have you. Asking for helping re-writing your work is completely off topic here. So I edited your question into one asking how to avoid cliches in opening sentences.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Hey Mettal, I appreciate that you liked my answer but we ask that people give it a full 1-2 days at least before choosing a best answer. The idea is to encourage other people to answer. Once you get a bit more rep, you'll be able to upvote any answer you like, or all of them. There's no time limit on choosing a best answer and you'll still get your 2 points no matter when you do it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Welcome to Writing.SE Mettal. Please take the tour and spend some time hanging out. We're glad to have you. Asking for helping re-writing your work is completely off topic here. So I edited your question into one asking how to avoid cliches in opening sentences.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Welcome to Writing.SE Mettal. Please take the tour and spend some time hanging out. We're glad to have you. Asking for helping re-writing your work is completely off topic here. So I edited your question into one asking how to avoid cliches in opening sentences.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Hey Mettal, I appreciate that you liked my answer but we ask that people give it a full 1-2 days at least before choosing a best answer. The idea is to encourage other people to answer. Once you get a bit more rep, you'll be able to upvote any answer you like, or all of them. There's no time limit on choosing a best answer and you'll still get your 2 points no matter when you do it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Hey Mettal, I appreciate that you liked my answer but we ask that people give it a full 1-2 days at least before choosing a best answer. The idea is to encourage other people to answer. Once you get a bit more rep, you'll be able to upvote any answer you like, or all of them. There's no time limit on choosing a best answer and you'll still get your 2 points no matter when you do it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
The best way to avoid overly general openers is to write them.
Go ahead, write them all down. Get them out of your system. If you don't, they're gonna be on your brain distracting you.
Once you finish your opening paragraph, go back and cut it ruthlessly. That first line is out of there. Maybe the second and third line too. Start at the line that matches what you told us the paper is about. That is your intro. The P vs NP problem. I have no idea what that is but your readers will (if they don't all already know, then your intro needs to have a description of it).
Everyone knows math has hard problems. That's what makes it fun. You don't need to tell anyone that. Just tell them what problem you're working on and why.
For other academic work, you might find yourself quoting the dictionary or talking in vague terms about the topic. Write it. Get it completely out of your system. Then slash and burn.
add a comment |
Get to the point?
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an exceptional level of difficulty.
Isn't really the point of your paper is it?
This is just fluff. You lose nothing getting rid of it.
So what's the second sentence? Maybe that should be promoted to the first?
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2
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The best way to avoid overly general openers is to write them.
Go ahead, write them all down. Get them out of your system. If you don't, they're gonna be on your brain distracting you.
Once you finish your opening paragraph, go back and cut it ruthlessly. That first line is out of there. Maybe the second and third line too. Start at the line that matches what you told us the paper is about. That is your intro. The P vs NP problem. I have no idea what that is but your readers will (if they don't all already know, then your intro needs to have a description of it).
Everyone knows math has hard problems. That's what makes it fun. You don't need to tell anyone that. Just tell them what problem you're working on and why.
For other academic work, you might find yourself quoting the dictionary or talking in vague terms about the topic. Write it. Get it completely out of your system. Then slash and burn.
add a comment |
The best way to avoid overly general openers is to write them.
Go ahead, write them all down. Get them out of your system. If you don't, they're gonna be on your brain distracting you.
Once you finish your opening paragraph, go back and cut it ruthlessly. That first line is out of there. Maybe the second and third line too. Start at the line that matches what you told us the paper is about. That is your intro. The P vs NP problem. I have no idea what that is but your readers will (if they don't all already know, then your intro needs to have a description of it).
Everyone knows math has hard problems. That's what makes it fun. You don't need to tell anyone that. Just tell them what problem you're working on and why.
For other academic work, you might find yourself quoting the dictionary or talking in vague terms about the topic. Write it. Get it completely out of your system. Then slash and burn.
add a comment |
The best way to avoid overly general openers is to write them.
Go ahead, write them all down. Get them out of your system. If you don't, they're gonna be on your brain distracting you.
Once you finish your opening paragraph, go back and cut it ruthlessly. That first line is out of there. Maybe the second and third line too. Start at the line that matches what you told us the paper is about. That is your intro. The P vs NP problem. I have no idea what that is but your readers will (if they don't all already know, then your intro needs to have a description of it).
Everyone knows math has hard problems. That's what makes it fun. You don't need to tell anyone that. Just tell them what problem you're working on and why.
For other academic work, you might find yourself quoting the dictionary or talking in vague terms about the topic. Write it. Get it completely out of your system. Then slash and burn.
The best way to avoid overly general openers is to write them.
Go ahead, write them all down. Get them out of your system. If you don't, they're gonna be on your brain distracting you.
Once you finish your opening paragraph, go back and cut it ruthlessly. That first line is out of there. Maybe the second and third line too. Start at the line that matches what you told us the paper is about. That is your intro. The P vs NP problem. I have no idea what that is but your readers will (if they don't all already know, then your intro needs to have a description of it).
Everyone knows math has hard problems. That's what makes it fun. You don't need to tell anyone that. Just tell them what problem you're working on and why.
For other academic work, you might find yourself quoting the dictionary or talking in vague terms about the topic. Write it. Get it completely out of your system. Then slash and burn.
answered 10 hours ago
CynCyn
18.7k14087
18.7k14087
add a comment |
add a comment |
Get to the point?
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an exceptional level of difficulty.
Isn't really the point of your paper is it?
This is just fluff. You lose nothing getting rid of it.
So what's the second sentence? Maybe that should be promoted to the first?
add a comment |
Get to the point?
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an exceptional level of difficulty.
Isn't really the point of your paper is it?
This is just fluff. You lose nothing getting rid of it.
So what's the second sentence? Maybe that should be promoted to the first?
add a comment |
Get to the point?
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an exceptional level of difficulty.
Isn't really the point of your paper is it?
This is just fluff. You lose nothing getting rid of it.
So what's the second sentence? Maybe that should be promoted to the first?
Get to the point?
In the field of mathematics, there are problems that present an exceptional level of difficulty.
Isn't really the point of your paper is it?
This is just fluff. You lose nothing getting rid of it.
So what's the second sentence? Maybe that should be promoted to the first?
answered 7 hours ago
ashleyleeashleylee
8668
8668
add a comment |
add a comment |
Mettal is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Welcome to Writing.SE Mettal. Please take the tour and spend some time hanging out. We're glad to have you. Asking for helping re-writing your work is completely off topic here. So I edited your question into one asking how to avoid cliches in opening sentences.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Hey Mettal, I appreciate that you liked my answer but we ask that people give it a full 1-2 days at least before choosing a best answer. The idea is to encourage other people to answer. Once you get a bit more rep, you'll be able to upvote any answer you like, or all of them. There's no time limit on choosing a best answer and you'll still get your 2 points no matter when you do it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago