Basic Concept: The funnel is a structure for writing that improves the student’s ability to understand and incorporate language within an essay to give the direction a sense of unity and flow. The funnel method not only helps to improve the flow of a paper but also improves the diction and connectedness of the ideas to the thesis. Your introduction’s purpose is to effectively deliver the thesis. The following steps are engineered for an argumentative or persuasive essay. Variations of this approach certainly exist. Ultimately the competent writer will employ a course that suits her/his style and tone.
In this method, the first sentence is broad and general. It introduces the conflict or problem of that your thesis addresses.
EXAMPLE: Evolving humanity has always encountered problems that require people to reconsider their course of operation.
The following sentence narrows your focus, addressing the problem or conflict suggested in your opening statement.
EXAMPLE: Often humankind’s ambitious pursuits have caused problems for others.
The third step requires you to provide an example that will substantiate the fundamental concept of your conflict or problem without revealing the topic of your essay. This step allows your critical reader to accept your philosophical perspective before you deliver the side of your argument that your reader ultimately disagrees with.
EXAMPLE: As a male-dominated society evolved the concerns and rights of women, in particular, were overlooked. These centuries of societal identity have created a culture of discrimination.
The next step declares your topic relating the topic to the principle of your first three steps.
EXAMPLE: Humankind’s consumption of natural resources has likewise put our planet at risk.
The final step delivers your thesis statement.
EXAMPLE: Humankind has blindly pursued its own survival without regards to the Earth’s prosperity creating a planet water, air and animal life are alarmingly threatened.
The important thing in this approach is that your opening statement is fundamentally similar to your problem expressed by your thesis because your course to narrow down your discussion will be too complicated and misleading. For example, if you start with the beginning of human history to write about young people living on their own, it will take you ages to narrow down. Therefore, your funnel must be appropriately narrow at the beginning. Remember the basic rule of expository writing, especially for a persuasive essay, your reader is critical of your opinion.
Your final introduction should resemble this depending on your topic:
Humanity’s Responsibility
Evolving humanity has always encountered problems that require people to reconsider their course of operation. Often humankind’s ambitious pursuits have caused problems for others. As a male-dominated society evolved the concerns and rights of women, in particular, were overlooked. These centuries of societal identity have created a culture of discrimination. Humankind’s consumption of natural resources has likewise put our planet at risk. Humankind has blindly pursued its own survival without regards to the Earth’s prosperity creating a planet water, air and animal life are alarmingly threatened.