In a world dominated by digital communication, writing remains a fundamental skill that shapes our personal and professional lives.
What is an Introduction Paragraph?
The introductory paragraph should include a general introduction, the thesis statement, 3-4 support sentences. It is a kind of mini-outline for the paper; it tells the reader what the essay is about. The last sentence of this paragraph must also contain a transitional "hook," which moves the reader to the first paragraph of the body of the paper.
Regard the paragraph as the unit of organization for your essay. Paragraphs can vary, but they must present a coherent argument unified under a single topic. Lengthy paragraphs usually indicate a lack of structure. Instead, identify the main ideas in the paragraph to see if they make more sense as separate topics in separate paragraphs. Shorter paragraphs usually indicate a lack of substance; you don't have enough evidence or analysis to prove your point.
Develop your idea or integrate the concept into another paragraph. The structure of a paragraph parallels the form of an essay in order and content. Both contain a coherent argument, supporting evidence/analysis, and a conclusion. Specifically, the contents of a paragraph are as follows:
The Topic Sentence serves two functions: first, it functions as the thesis of your paragraph; second, it pushes your essay's thesis forward and presents an arguable point. The topic sentence is usually the first or second sentence of a paragraph. Occasionally, you may find it interesting or necessary to place the topic sentence at the end of the paragraph.
Supporting Evidence/Analysis makes your claim. It would help to find a balance between the evidence you provide (facts, quotations, a summary of events/plot, etc.) and analysis (interpretation of evidence). If your paragraph is evidence-heavy, you haven't presented an argument; if it is analysis-heavy, you haven't adequately supported your claim.
The Conclusion closes your paragraph with a statement that is more than a summary of the contents in the paragraph. Instead, the concluding information provides a final idea that leads to the next step in your argument. The observation is usually the last or second-to-last sentence in the paragraph introduction, the thesis sentence, three-four supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence.