Writing Introductory Paragraphs

WHAT TO DO

• They should get the reader's interest so that he or she will want to read more.

• They should let the reader know what the writing is going to be about.

• They should introduce the topic with some indication it’s purpose or importance, and a clear definition of the boundaries of the subject area.

• They should indicate the structure and/or methodology of the essay, often with the major sections of the essay or its structural principle clearly stated.

• They should state the thesis of the essay, preferably in a single, arguable statement with a clear main clause

WHAT NOT TO DO

• They should not be apologetic. Never suggest that you don't know what you're talking about.

• They should not announce your intentions. Do not flatly announce what you are about to do in an essay. For example, do not begin with:

• In this paper I will . . . • The purpose of this essay is to . . .

• They should not use a dictionary or encyclopedia definition. Although definitions are extremely useful, it might serve your purpose to devise your own definition(s) later in the essay.

• They should not avoid the topic or speak about it in an unclear or ambiguous way. Get to it. Move confidently into your essay.

STRUCTURE OF AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Your introductory paragraph should contain the following:

• An attention-grabbing first sentence,• Informative sentences that build to your thesis, and• The thesis statement, which makes a claim or states a view that you will

support or build upon.

You should do the following:

• Set the context–provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support.

• State why the main idea is important–tell the reader why he or she should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon.

• State your thesis/claim –compose a sentence or two stating the position you will support with logos (sound reasoning: induction, deduction), pathos (balanced emotional appeal), and ethos (author credibility).

THESIS STATEMENTS

• Determine what kind of paper you are writing:• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts,

evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.

• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.

• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

• Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

• The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

• Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

A good thesis is unified: • NOT: Detective stories are not a high form of literature, but people have always

been fascinated by them, and many fine writers have experimented with them • BETTER: Detective stories appeal to the basic human desire for thrills (concise).

A good thesis is specific: • NOT: James Joyce’s Ulysses is very good.• BETTER: James Joyce’s Ulysses helped create a new way for writers to deal

with the unconscious.

Try to be as specific as possible (without providing too much detail) when creating your thesis: • NOT: James Joyce’s Ulysses helped create a new way for writers to deal with the

unconscious. • BETTER: James Joyce’s Ulysses helped create a new way for writers to deal

with the unconscious by utilizing the findings of Freudian psychology and introducing the techniques of literary stream-of-consciousness.

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.*The paper that follows should present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college.

Using the tips and information above, rewrite the introductory paragraph of last week’s selectividad text. Change and improve your grammar, punctuation, and content if necessary. Clearly underline the thesis statement in your paragraph.

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