Definition: an Introductory Paragraph lets readers know what you will discuss in your paper.

Function:

• attract reader
• announce topic
• state thesis

Ways to attract reader: you may begin with a

• quotation--if you know a good quotation from your research or just life in general that fits the content of your paper, then use it.
• statistic--this works well with social issues. Half of all marriages end in divorce. That is a good way to begin a paper on relationships.
• anecdote--a brief story that sets the stage for your paper, such as the one that Peggy Orenstein does in "What is Wrong with Cinderella?"
• history--a brief history or background of your topic may work, for example the details of a law case or a murder investigation.

Length: a good length for a 500-750 word paper should be about 5 good sentences.

Writer's block: since you have your thesis statement to begin, this is a paragraph that you can write after you have developed your paper. It is amazing at how brilliant you can be after you have written the paper.

Definition: a body paragraph develops one main point from your thesis statement.

Content:

• topic sentence: carries the main idea of the paragraph. It lets readers know the content of the paragraph and controls the content of the paragraph.
• details/examples: these are your ideas that develop the topic sentence. This can be your own knowledge or information that you gather from research or a mixture of the two. If the detail or example does not support or develop the topic sentence, then it does not belong in the paragraph.

Goals:

• well-developed--make sure that you have enough information to prove or illustrate your point. Patterns of development for body paragraphs, such as narration, illustration, or definition begin on page 86 of LBH.
• coherent--all details should relate to the topic sentence. If they do not then your paragraph is incoherent. You should also make sure that the details are presented in a logical order. If you do not, then your paragraph is incoherent. One way to achieve coherence is by using transitional expressions, such as first, second, last, also, moreover, for example, in addition. There is a list in LBH, pages 81-82.
• interesting--you don't want to bore the readers or they will stop reading. That does not mean you want to be a joker. Some subjects require a serious tone, but you can still cultivate interest in your selection and arrangement of words and details.

Definition: to wrap up the essay, bring it to a satisfying close.

Ways to conclude:

• quotation
• statistic
• anecdote
• background/history
• summarize--effective for long papers
• call to action--effective for problem solving and social issue papers
• point to significance of your findings--effective in research

Notes:

• Do not end with the same way that you began the essay. So if you began with a quotation, do not end with a quotation.
• Do not restate your thesis, word for word. Doing so will make your paper sound automated and non-creative.
• Do not try to rewrite the essay in the conclusion, especially if you are trying to meet a word count. What to do if you are on Conclusion and need 200-300 words to meet minimum Word Count? Go back to your shortest Body Paragraph and see if you can add another example or interesting detail.

Length: for a 500-750 word paper, try for 3-4 sentences. You have already written the essay; stop.