This document provides instructions for writing an effective introductory paragraph with a clear thesis statement. It involves breaking the paragraph into four parts - establishing the context of the topic, connecting the context to the thesis with a bridge statement, and concluding with the thesis statement. The guidance walks the reader through developing each part by first identifying the general topic, narrowing it to a specific aspect, stating a controversial position on that aspect, and combining them into a thesis. It then has the writer describe the broader context and importance of the topic before linking that context and the thesis with a bridge statement. Finally, it has the writer rearrange the three parts into a coherent introductory paragraph.

1. Thesis Statement/Introductory Paragraph Building Program
Instructions:
Follow the following steps to create an introductory paragraph
that works.
Part 1
The
Thesis
1.
What is the general topic you are writing about?
Write it in the space.
If you are revising your essay, find the t
opic in your
original thesis sentence.
______________________
2.
Can you narrow the topic to a more specific aspect of the
subject?
_____________________________________________________
_________________
_____________________________________________________
_________________
3.
What is the
controversial assertion or position about the subject you’ve
chosen
that you intend to defend or refute
?
If you are revising your essay, what controversial assertion did
you make?
_____________________________________________________
_________________

2. _____________________________________________________
_________________
4.
Create a coherent, grammatically correct sentence using both #2
and #3
above.
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_____________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________
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5.
Have you used first person (I/we) words?
Yes, reword.
____________________
_____________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________
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6.
Is it an announcement (ex:
This essay will discuss
…)
Yes,reword
_____________________________________________________
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3. _____________________________________________________
_________________________
_____________________________________________________
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7.
Check your sentence for
terms
that are
vague
and too general. First circle generic words. Substitute these
words for more specific words.
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________
_____________________________________________________
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________
_____________________________________________________
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8.
Write your
final thesis statement.
_____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________
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Part 2

4. The
Context
Now that you have your thesis set, you need to set it in the
introductory paragraph.
1.
What is the “big picture”?
What is the inherent interest or importance of the topic? How
does the subject relate to the larger world or subject under
discussion. (2 to 3 sentences
)
This is the first part of your introductory paragraph.
_____________________________________________________
_________________________
____________________
_______________________________
_________________________
Part 3
The
Bridge
Now connect the big picture and your thesis
1.
What is the subject? ___________________________________
2.
What is the thesis?
_________________________________________
3.
How is the thesis part of the topic?
_____________________________________________________
_________________________

5. 4.
Why is your thesis an important part of the larger topic?
_____________________________________________________
___________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________
5.
Put this into a sentence or two.
This is your bridge statement.
_____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________
Part 4 Putting It All Together and Making It Make Sense
Now you have the three parts that you need for a complete
introductory paragraph that does what it is supposed to do:
introduce your topic; state your opinion; and why and how you
think the way you do. In parts 1-3 of this exercise you worked
on the parts of an introductory paragraph out of order.
1.
Now you must rearrange them so that the context statement is
first, the bridge is next, and the thesis is last.
Context______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Bridge_______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________________
_______________________
Thesis_______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________
2.
Add in any words which you need to make these pieces flow
from one to another.
Take one last look at the grammar, and do any other revising or
editing that may be needed. You now have an introductory
paragraph to be proud of!
Created by Andrea Wallet
June 18
,2012