Writing Essays: Writing the Introduction

Write your introduction by answering the topic in one paragraph only. Pretend that this is all you are allowed to write. Ensure that you cover all parts of the topic.

TOPIC

Good health care is the right of all Australians. How does the state of Aboriginal health care relate to that of non-indigenous Australians? Why is this so and how can this situation be addressed so that there is parity across all segments of Australian society? Discuss.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Good health care is the overall wellness of the individual and of the community in which he or she lives, including not just physical, but also social, emotional and cultural wellness. This is the right of all Australians. The relative health status of Australia's indigenous population is indeed much poorer that the rest of the Australian population. This is largely due to inadequate living conditions, lifestyle, lack of education and employment, and historical conditions. To improve the health status of Australia's indigenous population, the government needs to allocate more funds to health services and the improvement of overall living conditions but also to investigate ways in which health services can be offered to better reflect the cultural needs of this group.

• All parts of the topic are addressed (matching colours in topic with introduction).
• Each part of what has been said here needs to be shown in more detail in the rest of the essay.
• This may not be exactly your final introductory paragraph but it is a working outline. You can go back at the end to look at better wording or some change of style.