Writing the introduction
The introduction is a very important part of your extended essay. It has the important role of framing the argument for your paper. It tells the reader what the paper is about and what the position of the paper will be. It also makes important clarifications in order to set limits on what will be discussed. Finally, the introduction should catch the reader’s attention.
A Sample Introduction
Please read the following introduction. Please note that the citations here are not actual sources. This is done for illustrative purposes only.
The concept of “road rage” is relatively new. It was only in the 1990s that the media began to focus on road rage incidents, leading some commentators to argue that road rage is a media invention and not a real phenomenon. Other researchers dispute this, however, arguing that the term “road rage” is simply a new label for criminal, aggressive, or antisocial behavior on the road that is a widely recognized problem and the cause of many accidents.
Road rage can lead to physical attacks, but it is more often manifested in aggressive driving or verbal abuse. Surveys suggest that most drivers have experienced some form of road rage, as a victim or as the perpetrator. For example, the British Crime Survey, based on a random sample in 2007, found that over half of all drivers questioned said they had been the victim of some form of road rage, ranging from verbal abuse or gestures to being forced off the road or threatened with violence (Marshall and Thomas, 2010). According to one researcher, aggressive driving and road rage worldwide cause hundreds of thousands of deaths every year and damage worth billions of dollars (McDonald, 2002, p.1). Moreover, the problem is expected to increase as more people use vehicles to travel and roads become more congested.
Road rage may be a learned behavior because people often model their actions after what they observe in others. For example, if someone regularly sees parents, friends, or other drivers reacting angrily to traffic situations, they may come to view these responses as normal or acceptable ways to handle frustration on the road. Over time, these behaviors can become habits reinforced by emotional release or a sense of control. Additionally, media portrayals of aggressive driving or social norms that excuse anger behind the wheel can further teach individuals that such reactions are justified, making road rage a learned and socially influenced behavior rather than an instinctive one.
Certain personality types may be more prone to road rage because traits like impulsiveness, competitiveness, and low tolerance for frustration can make it harder for individuals to manage anger while driving. For instance, people with Type A personalities may feel personally challenged by slow drivers or traffic delays, interpreting them as obstacles to their goals. Similarly, individuals who struggle with emotional regulation or have aggressive tendencies may react more intensely to minor inconveniences. These personality characteristics can increase stress and reduce empathy for others on the road, increasing the likelihood of hostile or dangerous driving behaviors when provoked.
Many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and China, have acknowledged the problem of road rage and some have taken measures to help prevent dangerous driving and road rage incidents. Ten years ago the head of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that road rage had become the number one traffic problem (James, 2015).
Anger management therapy may be an effective approach for people who struggle with road rage because it helps them recognize and control the emotions that lead to aggressive driving. Through techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring, individuals learn to identify the early signs of anger and replace impulsive reactions with calmer, more rational responses. By developing coping strategies, people can reduce the intensity of their angry outbursts, leading to safer driving habits and healthier emotional regulation.
This essay will examine the question: To what extent can anger management therapy help with the reduction of road rage? Research by James & Taylor (1999), Mark et al (2001), and Close et al (1995) argues that road rage is the result of learned reactions to environmental stressors and can therefore be changed. On the other side of the argument, Frankel (2006), Bieber & Foster (2001), and Crane et al (2006) argue that road rage is the result of specific personality traits that may be difficult to change. This essay will argue that although anger management therapy may be helpful for some people to reduce road rage, the therapy is not as effective for those with certain personality types.
What makes this a strong introduction?
A. The introduction catches the reader’s attention.
It is well written with an interesting first paragraph that immediately opens the discussion of road rage and its implications.
B. The problem to be investigated is outlined and justified.
This is accomplished by using statistics and explaining the implications - both current and future - of this behavior.
C. Important terms are defined.
Road rage is defined, and Anger Management Therapy is described in some detail.
D. The research question is clearly stated. And it is stated as a question.
In the final paragraph, the question is clearly stated. There are no other questions in the introduction that might make the actual question to be discussed unclear.
E. How the argument will be made and which studies will be used is clearly stated.
The final paragraph outlines the two sides of the argument and the research that will be used for each. There are six studies used as the main focus of the essay.
F. The introduction ends with a clear statement of the thesis of the paper.
The introduction ends with a clear statement of the thesis/position of the essay.