Introductions and Thesis Statements

Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center Hamilton College Clinton, NY 13323

INTRODUCTIONS AND THESIS STATEMENTS

Introductions

The introduction is a key paragraph for both readers and writers. First impressions matter. The reader will be more inclined to read a paper and consider a position if the initial paragraph is clear, organized, and engaging. For the writer, a carefully crafted first paragraph acts as a springboard, establishing the order and direction for the entire paper. The form and content of an introduction depend upon many factors, including the specifics of the assignment, the intended audience, the style of the discipline, and the expectations of your professor. In general, your introduction should • capture the reader’s attention • reflect the question raised by the assignment • provide essential context for your topic • define key terms Most importantly, your introduction should • convey the pattern of organization you will follow in the paper • build to the thesis sentence: a clear, concise statement of the specific position you will explore in your paper Outline first Outline your argument as fully as possible before starting the first draft. Outlining first helps you to see the shape of your argument, making writing the draft much easier. Start focused Avoid broad openers; start your argument right away. Do not open with empty filler such as “Since the beginning of time” or “For thousands of years, men, both good and evil.” Open with a sentence that launches your argument: “J. M. Coetzee’s Waiting for the Barbarians explores the latent meanings of deformity.” Use substantive statements Each sentence should contribute to the development of your argument. Avoid fact-only sentences such as “Jane Austen uses letters to reveal important information.” Incorporate facts into more substantive statements: “Austen’s use of letters allows her to relay key narrative information in a concise and engaging way.”

Revise Many writers mistakenly assume the first...