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.