Introductions: Purpose and Structure
Why do I need an introductory paragraph?
You need an introductory paragraph (AKA introduction to your paper) because it:
- Introduces topic and main ideas discussed in your paper
- Expresses direction and structure of the paper
- Provides essential background information needed for the reader to understand what you are writing about
- Generates interest
How should I structure an introductory paragraph?
Your introduction should start broad and slowly get more specific. Think of the format of this paragraph as an upside down triangle: you will start out with a broad discussion and narrow it down to a specific point, which is your thesis statement.
The thesis statement is the most important part of the introductory paragraph. The thesis statement contains:
- A topic
- A controlling idea
- Several main points that will be the main sections of your paper
Example thesis statement: Regularly visiting the UNT Dallas Writing Center will help you become the best writer on the planet because it offers superhero tutors, current technology, and fantastic handouts.