Introduction

An introduction is fairly easy to describe. Its purpose is to attract the reader and create interest in reading further. The best strategy is thus not to begin with the thesis statement, which is a statement of your point of view or, in an argumentative paper, your conclusion. Because you cannot know whether your reader will be hostile to your thesis, you would do well to delay stating it until you have tried to establish some good will by literally introducing it with an opening paragraph. Try making some general statements with which few readers would ever disagree: statements of fact, a description of common human experience, an arresting but nonthreatening anecdote or other narration, or a definition of a problem. Gradually narrow the focus to the specific topic you will be discussing, and end the paragraph with some version of your thesis and structural signpost. Be sure to understand that you should usually rephrase the thesis from the way it is stated on the outline page so that you can make it fit well into the introduction.

Here are some examples of thesis statements and introductory paragraphs from actual contrast papers written by students at Mars Hill College:

1. Thesis: Because of his consistent throwing, long rushing, and extensive experience, Terry Bradshaw is a better quarterback than Dan Marino.

Introduction: Bradshaw steps up to the line with seven seconds to go in the game. He drops back in the pocket and throws a bomb for a touchdown, which brings his team within one point of the opposing team. The next play of the game comes with one second left. Bradshaw holds for the kicker; the ball is snapped. Bradshaw rolls right and throws to his receiver for the winning play. Such a performance helps show why Terry Bradshaw is a great quarterback, better than, say, Dan Marino. Key differences between them have to do with their throwing, rushing, and overall experience.

2. Thesis: The main reasons that St. John's Chapel is a better play to worship than Providence Cathedral are the character of the church family, the type of service, and the order of worship.

Introduction: Everyone is in need of finding a place where she or he belongs. It may be a social gathering place or a service organization, or it may be a place such as a church. Whatever the organization, people must feel that they are wanted and that they are missed when they are gone. Such is the case at St. John's Chapel, especially in contrast to a church such as Providence Cathedral. This is not to say that Providence is not a good church; however, the character of the church family, the type of service, and the order of worship make St. John's a better place to attend, especially for young people, than Providence.

3. Thesis: Large marching bands are better than small marching bands because they have more people to work with, better instrumentation, and well-organized band programs.

Introduction: Since the early 1950's, marching bands have been rapidly changing. At first, the bands consisted of brass instruments and percussion instruments. As time went on, high schools added other instruments and began to realize the ways a band program could help focus the students' attention and interests on the aesthetic values in life. Today, much time and money are put into rapidly increasing band programs. As the number of new bands has grown, directors have found that large marching bands are better than small marching bands because they have more people to work with, better instrumentation, and better-organized programs.

Each introduction will be different for each paper, of course. The way you begin will be determined by your topic, your audience, and your purpose.

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