How to write an
Introductory
Paragraph
For Analytical Essays
Basic Instructions
 Like
the basic paragraph, the introductory
paragraph opens with a very general
statement about the topic, and is often
followed by some supporting examples,
but the paragraph then finishes with a
narrow statement about the topic. This
narrow statement is called the main
thesis.
Example Intro paragraph

Utopia and dystopia are the two extremes of
society. A dystopia is all too easily
accomplished from the great intentions of a
perfect utopian society. No matter how good
the idea is for equality, it is all too simple for
this idealistic world to be turned into a
dystopia when the population is protected
from seeing the power that the authority
holds and they rule the public with fear. The
novel Animal Farm, by George Orwell,
presents a wonderful example of a utopian
society in which a great idea works for a
period of time, but eventually turns into a
dystopia ruled by fear.
Start with Background
Information

Your introduction should give your reader
background information about your topic.

Ex. Utopia and dystopia are the two extremes
of society. A dystopia is all too easily
accomplished from the great intentions of a
perfect utopian society. When a utopian
society is strived for it is normally based off of
equality for all, protection, and freedom from
hunger.
More detailed information or
additional information
 No
matter how good the idea is for
equality, it is all too simple for this
idealistic world to be turned into a
dystopia when the population is protected
from seeing the power that the authority
holds and they rule the public with fear.
Thesis Statement
 Think
of this as your topic sentence for the
essay. You must make the sentence:
1. subjective – it must be an opinion.
2. it must mention the title(s)
3. it must mention the subject/main
idea
Thesis Statement - example
 The
Title and
author
novel Animal Farm, by George
Orwell, presents a wonderful example
of a utopian society in which a great
idea works for a period of time, but
eventually turns into a dystopia ruled
by fear.
Purpose
/main
idea
Let’s look again at how the paragraph starts general and
becomes more specific
Utopia and dystopia are the two extremes of society.
More
specific
General
A dystopia is all too easily accomplished from the
great intentions of a perfect utopian society.
No matter how good the idea is for equality, it is More
all too simple for this idealistic world to be turned explanation
into a dystopia when the population is protected
from seeing the power that the authority holds
and they rule the public with fear.
Utopia and dystopia are the two extremes of society.
Very
specific
thesis
The novel Animal Farm, by George Orwell,
presents a wonderful example of how
although a utopian society in which a
great idea works for a period of time, but
eventually turns into a dystopia ruled by
fear.
Avoid
 Avoid
dramatic introductions (beginning
an essay with a question or exclamation is
generally best to avoid).
 Do not use the first (I) or second (you)
person in your essay.
 Try to make your introduction engaging
but not too overzealous.
Finally, the conclusion, in
summary
Just as every essay has a clear beginning, it should
have a clear ending. The last paragraph, also know as
the conclusion, should make your essay sound finished.

The concluding paragraph typically has two parts:
1. The summary statement is one or two
sentences which restate the thesis in a fresh way to
reinforce the essay's main idea.
2. The clincher is a final thought which should
create a lasting impression on the reader.
Summary Statement

The summary statement is an effective way to
start your concluding paragraph because it
helps to drive home the ideas you've
expressed in your essay.

Look at your thesis statement again and
rework it in a new way. Avoid repeating key
words and phrases from the thesis statement
because you don't want the summary
statement to sound boring or repetitive. Using
a thesaurus is a good way to find new,
interesting words.
Summary Statement examples

Here are some examples of thesis statements and summary
statements:

Thesis Statement: Many Americans are buying the Toyota
Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy,
and high resale value.
Summary Statement: Reasonable pricing, low miles per
gallon, and an attractive resale value have all contributed
to the popularity of the Toyota Corolla in today's market.



Thesis Statement: San Francisco is a stimulating place to visit
because of its magnificent location, its theaters and art
galleries, and its many fine restaurants.
Summary Statement: If you love beautiful surroundings,
world class theater and art, and an exquisite meal, then
San Francisco is the place for you.
The Clincher
 The
clincher, also referred to as the closer,
is your last opportunity to connect with
the reader.
 One
way to make the most of this
moment is to return to the technique you
used for your grabber.
The Clincher
 Use
a rhetorical device; ask a question.
Ex. Has Rainsford become as evil as General
Zaroff or is he simply so tired that he sleeps
soundly?
Ex. Will the bagboy and the girl ever get
together?
The Clincher
 Use
a new quotation to sum up your
point.
Ex. Forbidding teenagers from doing
something has never been a good idea.
“For never was there a tale of more woe
than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
The Clincher
 Answer
the question, “so what?” So both
poems use rain as a symbol. So what?
Why is it important?
The Clincher

universalize (compare to other situations).
Ex. Much like Harry Potter getting dropped on his aunt
and uncle’s doorstep, the idea of storking has its
positives and negatives.

suggest results or consequences.
Ex. If it’s true that “into everyone’s life, a little rain must
fall,” then all of the previous uses of rain reflect life.
Avoid
 As
you write your conclusion, try to avoid
the "so-as-you-can-see" ending and the
"in conclusion my thesis statement proves
that" or "states that" ending. All of these
are overused and worn out. You've
already made your thesis and reasoning
clear. You don't need to tell us that you've
just told us something.
Avoid




•Any conclusion should never repeat the
assertions presented in the essay word-forword.
•If the writer wants to make the conclusion
really successful it must be short but very
clear.
•This is the last part of the essay and it makes
the final impression on the reader.
•A good conclusion is always creative and
logically sound.