Introductions and Conclusions

Introduction An introduction is your first chance to make a good impression. Without a good introduction, the rest of your paper will suffer because you have failed to capture your reader’s interest.

Introduction Your introduction should be arranged from general to specific. In other words, the first sentence of your introduction should not reveal to me what your paper is about, but by the last sentence (the thesis statement) this should be clear. Start with something that will grab your reader’s attention.

The First Sentence – Finding the Right Attention Getter Surprising fact: The United States has more than five times the amount of nuclear weaponry necessary to destroy itself. Quotation: Bill Cosby once said that “Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.” Curiosity: In the nineteen fifties, many families built fallout shelters to protect themselves from nuclear attack, not knowing that they were putting themselves in even more danger. Definition: Natural selection is the process by which traits become more or less common in a population due to consistent effects upon the survival or reproduction of their bearers.

The Middle Once you have found your attention getter or hook and your thesis statement is written, the remainder of the introduction needs to be spent transitioning from point A to point B.

The Result Point A: The Attention Getter Point B: The Thesis Statement Each day, thousands of Americans are diagnosed with Type II Diabetes (White 302). Despite this fact, many food manufacturers still produce packaged meals that contain hidden sugars and carbohydrates, making it difficult for the average American to really watch their sugar intake. The old saying “people are responsible for what they eat” is inaccurate. Hidden sugars in food is a problem that needs to be addressed. The United States government should place regulations on food companies to ensure they are not adding unnecessary sugars to their food and to clearly label all forms of sugars in their packaged products. Point B: The Thesis Statement

The Conclusion Your concluding paragraph is the last paragraph of the essay. It may sum up your ideas, reflect on what you said in your essay, or talk about what the future may hold. The conclusion is ALL COMMENTARY and DOES NOT INCLUDE CONCRETE DETAILS. It does not repeat key words from you paper, especially not from your thesis and introductory paragraphs. It gives a finished feeling to your essay.

The Result If the United States does not act to pass legislation against the use of added sugars, and ensure companies clearly label sugars in their products, many more American will be crippled with this preventable disease. Some say that what people eat is no one else’s business but their own. Some say stricter regulations will not help this epidemic. In the least, it will make it easier on the consumer, and doing nothing is certainly not going to stop this growing problem. Action needs to be taken now to ensure a healthier tomorrow.