Page 74 - English Grammar and Composition-Student Textbook short

Study Section 21: How to Begin an Essay and Writing Guidelines

21.1 Connect

You have already been given your final paper topic for this class after the prewriting study section
(section 16). You should already have your outline completed. Now you will use it to construct the
introductory paragraph of your essay. Below are some tips about that first, important paragraph.

21.2 Introductory Paragraphs

Create a good, strong lead that pulls the reader into your paper.

This will become your first sentence. To create a strong lead, choose one of the following methods:

a. Ask an interesting question relating to the topic.
b. Give a “startling statement.”
c. Reveal an interesting or little-known fact.

 Example of a question lead:
Have you ever wondered if someone could be hit by a car and live to tell about it?

 Example of a startling statement lead:
I still remember the sound of the car’s screeching tires before it hit me.

 Example of an interesting or little-known fact:
Most cars weigh approximately 1,800 kilograms.

The final sentence of your introduction should be a strong thesis statement (see study section 17),
which guides the entirety of your essay.

If your thesis statement, and the rest of your essay do not match, something is wrong. The thesis statement
tells the reader exactly what the rest of your essay will be about.

 Example thesis statement:
As I think back to the accident, I am certain that I would not have learned these three lessons had I not had
this accident.

With that thesis statement, it is clear that the rest of the paper will be about the three lessons this person
learned. If the essay is not about those three lessons, then the essay is off topic.

Other writing guidelines for essays:

1. Indent with every new paragraph.

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