Writing a introductory Paragraph with Thesis Statement

We build a paragraph around 3 sentences: Sentence #1 – establish context Sentence #2 – build a bridge to the thesis Sentence #3 – state a clear thesis

Some English teachers name them differently The hook Background information Thesis

THE PROMPT What do you believe is the most significant cause of the American Revolution?

Sentence #1: Context, what is the essay about? Do Don’t Use dates and historic references. Refer to place if it is relevant to the question. Mention conflicting groups or social forces. RESTATE THE QUESTION! Provide irrelevant information (duh) Have I mentioned; Don’t restate the question.

Poor sentences: When studying the American Revolution, it is interesting to ask: “What is the major cause of the war?” (Don’t restate the question.) There is an increasingly heated debate in our nation today over the causes of the American Revolution. The War of 1812 had a greater impact on the formation of our country than the American Revolution. (Don’t provide irrelevant information.)

Good sentences: During the 1770’s , one of the major conflicts between the colonies and England was excessive taxation. Do: Use dates and historic references. Arguments about the causes of the American Revolution vary, people have debated the relationship between colonies and England since the revolutionary period. Do: Refer to place if it is relevant to the question. Since the end of the French and Indian War, the relationship between England and its colonies has been strained. Do: Mention conflicting groups or social forces.

Sentence #2: The Bridge Do: Don’t Show the connection between the general question and your specific thesis. Imply what you intend to prove. Name the general evidence you will adduce. Narrate the writing process. Reword sentence #1. fill space with pointless words

Good sentences: The tension between the colonists and British troops can be seen in the events in Boston. DO: Show the connection between the general question and your specific thesis. Debate over taxation policies escalated tensions between the colonies and Great Britain. Do: Imply what you intend to prove. The French and Indian War created the need for taxation of the colonies. Do: Name the general evidence you will adduce.

Poor sentences: In this essay, we will see why the colonists were upset about taxation. Don’t: Narrate the writing process. The matter of taxation can never be taken lightly, and has had countless and immeasurable impacts on the political, social and economic, blah, blah, blah…… fill space with pointless words #1 said: During the colonial period one of the major issues was taxation. #2 says: The conflicts between the British and colonial taxation fostered repeated disagreements. DON’T: Reword sentence #1

#3 The Thesis: This should be the easiest one #3 The Thesis: This should be the easiest one. Make a clear, unambiguous statement of what you are going to prove. Do: Don’t Take a side! Chose a position for which evidence exists. Respond to the question Claim your position is obvious or universally accepted (it’s not). Get caught up in you personal beliefs.

Good sentences: The Tea Act had the greatest impact on the hostile relationship between the colonists and the king which ultimately leads to revolution. DO: Take a side! Chose a position for which evidence exists. The colonists resented the idea that their individual rights violated in the Quartering Act which was a major cause of the American Revolution. Respond to the question

Poor Sentences: In some ways the British were right in their taxation and in other ways they were wrong. It is patently obvious to even the most casual observer the British in tended to… Today, historians are united in their recognition of the colonial anger which… DON’T: Claim your position is obvious or universally accepted (it’s not). My dad says the king should be tarred and feathered, then pilloried (once we figure out what pillorying is) Get caught up in you personal beliefs.

IF YOU GET STUCK: What is the question asking? Make a list to help you: What? Who? Where? When? Why? (why not?) 2. Work backward from your thesis. Never mind what you believe, WHAT CAN YOU PROVE? Make an outline of the evidence, then state your thesis. 3. Paraphrase you own sentence. This can reveal clarity of meaning, (or the lack of it.)

Grading: In the context of a 50 point essay: 5 points total: 1 for context, 1 for bridge, 3 for thesis OR 5 points, all-or-nothing if you have a clear thesis As a stand-alone assignment: 10 points total: 3 for context, 3 for bridge, 3 for thesis, 1 for grammar, mechanics, clarity, agreement with teacher