The Introduction and Thesis Statements

Closed Thesis Statement

"The closed thesis . . . lists the material to be covered in the order that it will be covered" (McDonald and Salamone 239). Example: As I look back on it today, I realize that moving to Boulder to go to school was my first step in learning to take responsibility for my own life; I learned to take responsibility for meeting new people, for my own study and spending habits, and for my own interests and values.

Open Thesis Statement

"The open thesis statement makes it clear to the reader that the paper will explain the issues, but it does not list them" (McDonald and Salamone 239). Example: As I look back on it today, I realize that moving to Boulder to go to school was my first step in learning to take responsibility for my own life.

The Introduction

"The purpose of an introductory paragraph is to get the reader's attention and to let the reader know what will be covered in the essay. Very often, it sets the tone for the entire essay" (Wingersky, Boerner, and Hoguin-Balogh 268) One effective way of organizing an introductory paragraph is to start with a general lead-in (or hook) and progressively get more specific, finally ending in the thesis. This is the organization I want you to use.

There are two types of thesis statements

open and closed.

Lead-ins

• A Quotation • A General Statement • A Question (use sparingly) • A Striking Statement or Fact • An Anecdote or Brief Story

The Thesis Statement

• The thesis statement should be the last sentence in your introduction. • It takes practice to learn to craft good thesis statements. • A thesis statement should not just state a fact or the topic of a paper, it must also state something significant about the topic, or your opinion about the topic.

Transitioning to the Thesis

• Your lead-in must be clearly connected to your thesis. • You must have sentences that transition between your quotation, story, statement or question and the thesis statement.

Three Main Parts of an Essay

1. The Introduction 2. The Body 3. The Conclusion