Writing Introductory Paragraphs

Functions of an opening paragraph:

· catch the attention of your reader

· provide relevant context for your topic

· convey the structure of your argument conclude with a thesis statement--a statement of your position

How to go about writing an introduction:

• it is composed AFTER the body paragraphs are completed so the writer knows the content of the paper
• choose a method (see methods & examples)
• thesis statement is written next to clarify the intro and to give focus to the paper
• an overview, a list of the topics addressed in the essay, should also be included here or before the thesis; the topics in the overview should be listed in the order written in the body of the paper

Writing a Thesis

· a statement that reveals the topic of the paper

· is often referred to as the focus statement

· reveals writer’s attitude toward the topic

· it should clarify what the introduction was referring to

Writing an Overview

· lists the topics written about in the paper

· listed in the order written in the paper

Writing Conclusion Paragraphs

Purpose:

· it is the final impression, the last opportunity to get the point across to the reader and leave the reader feeling as something was learned

· leaving a paper dangling without a proper conclusion can ruin the paper

· see methods & examples