The document discusses writing an effective introduction and thesis statement for an essay. It provides examples of strong thesis statements that take a clear position, focus on a single idea, and accurately forecast the scope of the essay. A good thesis statement also hints at the writer's primary purpose, whether to explain or persuade. The introduction should create context for the essay and cover the entire territory, introducing any necessary background without mystery. Typically the thesis is the last statement of the introduction, but it can also be two sentences found within the introduction. The thesis gives the reader a reason to continue reading.
2. The thesis is the main idea of a piece of writing, its focus. Without a focus, either expressed or implied, an essay wanders and irritates and falls flat. With a focus, an essay is much more likely to click.
3. Here are some examples from the essays in The Bedford Reader: These were two strong men, these oddly different generals [Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee], and they represented the strengths of two conflicting currents that, through them, had come into final collision. - Bruce Catton, “Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts” Inanimate objects are classified into three major categories – those that don’t work, those that break down and those that get lost. - Russell Baker, “The Plot Against People” It is possible to stop most drug addiction in the United States within a very short time. Simply make all drugs available and sell them at cost. - Gore Vidal, “Drugs”
4. These diverse examples share a few important qualities: The authors assert opinions, taking positions on their subjects. They do not merely state facts, as in “Grant and Lee both signed the document ending the Civil War” or “Grant and Lee were different men.” Each thesis statement projects a single idea. The thesis may have parts (such as Baker’s three categories of objects), but the parts fit under a single umbrella idea.
5. Each thesis statement accurately forecasts the scope of its essay, neither taking on too much nor leaving out essential parts. Each thesis statement hints about the writer’s purpose – we can tell that Catton and Baker want to explain, whereas Vidal wants mainly to persuade. (Explaining and persuading overlap a great deal; we’re talking here about the writer’s primary purpose.)
6. Creating a Roadmap Just like a roadmap, the introduction covers the entire territory of the essay. There should be no mystery – this is frustrating for the reader. Create the context. Introduce the author, the title of the text, and relevant background. Briefly introduce characters that will be discussed and literary features of the text that will be pointed out. If necessary, provide definitions of literary jargon.
7. Creating a Roadmap Typically, the thesis is the last statement of the introduction. However, the thesis can also be comprised of two sentences found within the introduction. There are no hard and fast rules. Because the thesis gives your reader purpose to read on, place it deliberately.
