 You should get the reader's interest so that he or she will want to read more.

 Historical review: Some topics are better understood if a brief historical review of the topic is presented to lead into the discussion of the moment.  Begin with a broad, general statement that you narrow down to your thesis statement. Keep in mind that the thesis provides the main idea for the entire composition.  Use a question or series of thought-provoking questions. When using this strategy, it is very effective to state these questions as a series of one-liners before getting to the thesis. Just keep in mind at all times that the questions you raise do more than merely set a tone for your paper, those questions sooner or later must be answered.

 Anecdotal: An anecdote is a little story. Everyone loves to listen to stories. Begin a paper by relating a small story that leads into the topic of your paper. Your story should be a small episode, not a full blown story with characters and plot and setting. One caution : be sure that your story does not take over the paper. Remember, it is an introduction, not the paper.  Begin with a quote : Something relevant to your topic.

 Surprising statement: A surprising statement is a favorite introductory technique of professional writers. There are many ways a statement can surprise a reader. Sometimes the statement is surprising because it is disgusting. Sometimes it is joyful. Sometimes it is shocking. Sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.  Example : Have a minute? Good. Because that may be all it takes to save the life of a child— your child. Accidents kill nearly 8000 children under age 15 each year. And for every fatality, 42 more children are admitted to hospitals for treatment. Yet such deaths and injuries can be avoided through these easy steps parents can take right now. You don't have a minute to lose.

 Famous person: People like to know what celebrities say and do. Dropping the name of a famous person at the beginning of a paper usually gets the reader's attention.

 The thesis statement is that sentence or two in your text that contains the focus of your essay and tells your reader what the essay is going to be about.  The theses statement is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.  It directly answers the question asked of you. What is your essay about?

 In Theodore Taylor’s novel, The Cay, the main character Phillip Enright changes both physically and emotionally throughout the book.  This thesis statement introduces the novel, the author, the topic, and the main character.  Try to write your own thesis statement.

 State the main ideas of your essay. What did you include in your body paragraphs?  Due to his time on the cay Phillip has grown physically by becoming more fit and muscular. Phillip Enright also changes emotionally in many ways. He goes form being a naive child who was excited about the war to a young adult who understands the danger involved in such a perilous event as World War II.  Link and Transition to your next paragraph topic.

 Don’t forget to include a closing sentence.  In short Phillip is a completely different person than his character from the beginning of the novel.

 (Attention Grabber) “LIKE SILENT, HUNGRY SHARKS that swim in the darkness of the sea, the German submarines arrived in the middle of the night” (9). Author Theodore Taylor begins The Cay by displaying the panicky mood of the story. The novel is set during World War II which is one of many obstacles the main character Phillip Enright has to overcome in his journey toward adulthood. (Thesis Statement) In Theodore Taylor’s novel, The Cay, the main character Phillip Enright changes both physically and emotionally throughout the book. (Main Ideas) Due to his time on the cay Phillip has grown physically by becoming more fit and muscular. Phillip Enright also changes emotionally in many ways. He goes from being a naive child who was excited about the war to a young adult who understands the danger involved in such a perilous event as World War II. (Add Another Main Idea) (Closing Sentence) In short Phillip is a completely different person at the end of The Cay than his character from the beginning of the novel. 

 What should you include in your conclusion paragraph?  Restate your thesis statement  Restate your main ideas  Closing sentence