Composition 101: Five Paragraph Essay, Introductions and Thesis Statements

Scholars’ Latino Initiative 2011-2012

Overview: Five Paragraph Essay

In this section we will learn:• What is a five paragraph essay (previous class);• The structure of a five paragraph essay (previous

class);• How to write the body of your essay (previous

class);• How to write an introduction;– Thesis statements.

• How to write a conclusion.

Introduction: Introductions

Introductions should:• Transition the reader from their world to the

world that you will be talking about in your essay;

• Interest your reader;• State your thesis;• Indicate the support for your thesis;• Give a road map for the rest of your essay.

How to Write an Introductions

• Use the question or essay prompt. • Decide how general or broad your introduction should

be.– Should it address a specific or universal question?

• Open with an attention grabber.– Quote– Vivid example– Thought provoking question– A puzzling scenario– Statistic

• Try writing your introduction last.

Using the Question or Prompt

PromptTexas Congressman Ron Paul has argued that taxes are a modern form of slavery. He argues that most Americans must work for nearly a third of the year in order to pay taxes, and therefore they are working without being compensated, which amounts to slavery.

Would society be better off without taxes?

Information• General question • Cites a politician – may

want to cite another politician

• Start specific and then goes to general. Could do this in your introduction. (Known as a reverse funnel.)

Using the Question or Prompt: Reverse Funnel Introduction

In the 1965, over 42% of the population smoked, and the average tax on cigarettes was $0.05. In contrast, in 2000, only 23% of the population smoked and the average tax on cigarette was $1.50. This dramatic decrease in smoking is at least partially due to the significant increase in taxes. While few like paying taxes, they can be useful not only because they discourage unhealthy behavior, but also because they help the government function.

Basics of a Reverse Funnel Introduction

Starts with an appropriately specific statement/example/quote etc.

(Start with a cigarette tax.)

Broadens to your thesis.(Leads to a thesis regarding taxes in general.)

Using the Question or Prompt

“Discipline” is a negative word for many people because it is associated with rigorous training, strict rules, and strong self-control. But we fail to realize that freedom comes only through discipline. Discipline compels us to sacrifice immediate rewards and pleasures, but it also gives our lives structure and prevents us from making costly mistakes. It keeps us from being subject to our impulses and weaknesses and thus frees us to achieve our true goals.

Do people need discipline to achieve freedom?

What information do we get from this prompt?

Using the Question or Prompt: Funnel Introduction

What is freedom? Freedom may be seen by some as the ability to do whatever one wants whenever one wants. However, freedom is more than being able to act on our immediate desires; it is also the ability to achieve our long-term goals. Given this, we must be able to sublimate our temporary desires in order to achieve something greater. In order to have the freedom to achieve our long term goals, be they academic, athletic or personal, we must be able to exercise discipline.

Basics of a Funnel Introduction

Starts with an appropriately broad statement/question/example etc.

(Talks about the general concept of freedom.)

Funnels down to a more specific thesis.(To achieve our goals we must have discipline.)

How Broad?

Example AThe use of drugs has been prevalent in society since time immemorial. One can find reference to drug use texts dating back even to Shakespeare's time.

Example BSince 2003 the murder rate in Mexico has gone from 10 in 100,000 to 15 in 100,000: a 1.5 fold increase.

Prompt: Are drug cartels the only ones responsible for the recent increase in violence in Mexico? Are American drug users, Pres. Felipe Calderon, Mexican institutions to blame?

How Broad?

Example AOn January 28, the Nowhereland Herald reported a story of the death of baby Mindy, a 2 year old child, whose mother bought drugs instead of her necessary medicine.

Example BSince 2003 the murder rate in Mexico has gone from 10 in 100,000 to 15 in 100,000: a 1.5 fold increase.

Prompt: Are drug cartels the only ones responsible for the recent increase in violence in Mexico. Are American drug users, Pres. Felipe Calderon and other Mexican institutions to blame?

Kinds of Introductions to Avoid

• Place holder introduction: they don’t say much. Usually very short. – Example: No one likes paying taxes. Taxes make

things more expensive and take money away from people. Still, they can be good.

• Restating the question– Discipline sometimes requires depriving yourself

of your immediate desires. Freedom, however, is only gained through discipline.

Kinds of Introductions to Avoid

• Dictionary introduction– The Webster’s dictionary defines taxes as….

• The “dawn of man” introduction– The use of drugs has been prevalent in society

since time immemorial. • The book report introduction– The Hunger of Memory is a collection of essays

written by second-generation Mexican-American Richard Rodriguez.

Last Words on Introductions

Introductions provide the reader with a first impression of your writing, style, argument, and quality of your work. Put extra effort into your introduction so that it is: • Free of grammatical or spelling errors;• Cogent;• Accurately informs the reader of your

argument.

Last Last Words on Introductions

Have multiple people read your introduction. From the introduction they should be able to answer:• What is your position on the topic?• What kind of evidence do you use to support

your argument?• Why is the topic important?Remember, after reading the introduction, your reader should want to continue to read your essay.

Thesis Statements

A thesis statement is usually (but not always) one sentence that directly states your point of view on a subject, and summarizes your argument.

It should ALWAYS be in your introduction.

Frequently (especially in funnel introductions) it is the last sentence of the introduction.

Thesis Statements

A thesis statement:• States your position;• Gives an indication of the support for your

position;• Directly answers the question asked;• Makes a claim with which others may

disagree.

How to Develop a Thesis

Developing a thesis statement requires critical thinking of the topic, analysis of evidence and relationships.

Example: Would society be better off without taxes?They pay for goods and services. Why is this good? Some are necessary for society to function, some are expected. Why are these expenditures necessary? Constitution mandates them. Why are some expected? Society feels a moral obligation. From this kind of thought process we can begin to develop a thesis.

Is Your “Thesis” Statement a Thesis Statement

Ask yourself the following regarding your thesis:• Does it answer the question?• Can others disagree with it?– Your thesis cannot be “As a kid Richard Rodriguez felt

a separation between his family and school life”. This discusses a topic it does not make an argument.

• Is my thesis specific enough?– Your thesis cannot be “Taxes can be good”. A thesis

should say WHY you think they can be good.

Is Your “Thesis” Statement a Thesis Statement

• Does my thesis convey something that is important? – If your classmate says “So what” after reading your

thesis, you have a problem.• Does my essay support my thesis directly?– Is your thesis about why taxes are necessary, but the rest

of your paper is about why public education is good?• Does my thesis answer “how and why?”.– Don’t tell me taxes can be good, tell me how and why

they can be good.

Example (from UNC’s Writing Center)

Prompt: Compare and contrast the reasons why the North and the South fought the Civil War.

Example (from UNC’s Writing Center)

Example 1: The North and South fought the Civil war for many reasons, some of which were the same, and some of which were different. What’s wrong with this?• You can’t disagree with it. • It’s not specific enough. • It does not answer how or why. • Does not give the reader the impression that the

topic is important.

Example for UNC’s Writing Center

Example 2: While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.

Example (from UNC Writing Center)

• Example 3: While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while the Southerners defended their own right to self-government.

Example

Prompt: Richard Rodriguez argues in a Hunger of Memory that bilingual education delays a student’s entry into full public life. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Assignment: In groups of 3, develop a thesis statement, and an introduction paragraph.