A good strategy is to begin your paper (lead in and ‘hook’ your readers) with a personal story related to the topic–this helps you establish credibility (ethos) and encourages emotional interest (pathos). Conclude the introduction by transitioning into a more formal discussion of your general topic and wrapping up with your papers formal thesis statement. (The thesis statement can be anywhere from 2-4 sentences in length.) Keep in mind: your thesis should appear no later than page 2 of your paper.
Background and Key Terms—
Think back to your prospectus assignment for this part of your paper (you can even revise that portion of your prospectus to use here). Assume your readers need to know what you intend (your intended meaning) when you use certain key terms and concepts.
Next Steps–
At this point, it’s probably a good idea to remind your readers what your thesis is (readers easily forget this!). State your thesis again here, in its entirety AND include the main supporting points that you will cover in each of your supporting paragraphs. (This is essentially giving your readers a road map for reading the rest of your paper—spell it out for them and list main ideas in the order you plan to discuss them.) This is important so your reader does not get confused later, and it makes clear to your reader that you’ve done some planning and know where this paper is going. (Your readers will thank you for this!)
Sample Solution
