oh i forgot...
hey kitson. i haven't really started writing my PIP introduction just yet - i've just started writing down stuff that i can use in my PIP central material later on. i've written about 800 words of "good" ideas. my advice to you, and i am sure many senior members would agree with this (or so i hope) - just scribble down all your ideas onto paper or as "white spazzy" has said, find yourself a tape recorder and record any thought that comes to your mind.
my teacher (good ol' Bronny) will support me on this one - it is not the best idea to write your introduction first (but go ahead if you want to - you can do it, you don't have to listen to me at all), your intro should be very strong and if you aren't sure of your central material than you cannot state your PIP argument strongly in an intro (i hope i am making sense). really, i think you should get your ideas for your central material in mind first before writing an intro. what is so great about the PIP is that it isn't a strict essay, you can work your own way through it without feeling restricted by the boring structure of a goddamn essay.
so my advice, while it may not be entirely legitimate, is that you:
1. get your ideas on paper
2. work out a clear PIP thesis
3. framework your PIP (decide on chapters, topics, sources)
4. just write in whatever order you want to...
5. reference all quotes (or you can do this as you go along, your choice)...
6. write a bibliography unless you already have one and then
7. edit, edit, edit, edit...
i don't know if i have helped you but i think i have just might have helped myself. hopefully we are both winners.