The document provides guidance on writing introduction and conclusion paragraphs for essays. The introduction paragraph should contain an attention-grabber, a lead-in, and a clear thesis statement. The conclusion paragraph should restate the thesis, have a lead-out that broadens the topic, and end with a clincher sentence. Both the introduction and conclusion paragraphs are structured in the shape of triangles to guide writers from general to specific points and back again.

1. Introduction and Conclusion
Paragraphs

2. The Introduction Paragraph
 The first paragraph in an essay that
introduces your topic and thesis
statement
 Contains 3 main parts:
 Attention-Grabber / Hook
 Lead-in
 Thesis statement

3. A Visual
 Think of the introduction paragraph as an
upside down triangle.
General
Specific
Attention Grabber
Lead-in
Thesis Statement

4. Attention Getter / Hook
 The very first
sentence(s) that gets
the reader’s attention
and makes them
want to read more
 VERY general
introduction of the
topic
 Some options:
 Shocking statistic
 Startling story
 Quotation
 Setting the scene
 Description

5. The Lead-in
 The sentences between the attention-
grabber and thesis statement
 Helps narrow the topic from general to
specific
 Acts as a transition between attention-
grabber and thesis statement

6. The Thesis Statement
 The most important sentence in the
paper
 Last sentence of introduction paragraph
 Tells exactly what the paper will be about
 Sometimes, it will present the order of
the supporting material that will be in the
paper ( This statement/ this quote
asserts and alludes that…….)

7. The Conclusion Paragraph
 The last paragraph in an essay that
neatly wraps up the paper
 Contains 3 main parts
 Restate the thesis
 Lead-out
 Clincher

8. A Visual
 Think of the Conclusion as a triangle.
General
Specific
Restatement of Thesis
Lead-out
Clincher

9. Restate the thesis
 Summarize the thesis without repeating
yourself
 The most specific part of the conclusion
 Should include a transition to indicate
that this is your concluding paragraph
(as a conclusion, to summarize, all in all, to
sum up, in conclusion,…)

10. The Lead-out
 Just like the lead-in only backwards
 Makes the topic larger to become more
general and less specific
 Smoothes out the conclusion paragraph

11. The Clincher
 Last sentence of the last paragraph
 Give the paper finality
 Similar to an attention grabber because it
should make the reader think and leave
an impression
 Most general part of the conclusion
paragraph

12. Read the following statement about the importance of friendship.
“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”
Helen Keller
In all cultures, friendships are important relationships throughout a person's
life span. Write an essay in which you explain the above statement. As you
develop your essay, refer to the importance of friendship on one’s life.
In your essay, provide a thesis statement in the introduction, a topic
sentence in each body paragraph and support the main idea with relevant,
specific and adequate details. Give examples drawn from your reading,
experience or observation. Your essay should be between 150-200 words
with an appropriate title. Revise and proofread your essay.