Introductions and Thesis-2

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Eng0700/0800
Introductions
The Introductory paragraph introduces the main idea of your essay, and it should be kept
concise; roughly 10% of the entire essay. There are two types of introductions.
Type 1: Introduction for a Reading-based Essay
Naturally, the introduction for a reading-based essay introduces the specific reading(s)
the essay will discuss.
Follow these guidelines:
1. Introduce your topic (Hook)

2. Introduce the readings (Context)
3. State your thesis (Thesis)
Type 2: Introduction for a Topic-based Essay
A topic-based essay makes an argument about an issue or problem instead of focusing on

particular readings. Of course, you will read some texts and include ideas from them to
discuss the issue throughout the essay, but the introduction should tell the reader about
the issue you will discuss rather than the specific texts you will use.
1. Introduce your topic (Hook)

2. Give background information on the topic (Background)
3. Say why this topic needs discussion (Issue or Problem)
4. State your thesis (Thesis)
Let’s sum it up:
 What is the main difference between the two types of introductions?
For reading-based essays, the focus is more on presenting what is in the reading, while for topic-
based essays, the focus is more on posing questions and solving problems.
Examples and Review:
Introduction Example 1:
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Not many would question the goodness of environmental and

cultural diversity present on earth. In fact, there are many linguists
and minority rights activists who work hard to save rare languages
that are on the verge of extinction. However, not all would agree with
this humanitarian view. In fact, Kenan Malik, the author of “Let Them
Die” takes a rather utilitarian position, arguing that the primary
function of a language is to facilitate communication and when a
language has so few speakers that it is no longer useful, it should be
left to die. Although Malik’s research on the extent of language
extinction is accurate, his argument is slanted by his false
glorification of the capitalist culture and misrepresentation of his
opponents’ position.
 Highlight the different parts: the hook, background and thesis.
 What type of Introduction is this example? Why?

This is a reading-based essay since it has introduced a specific reading and sets up focus
by discussing the different viewpoints on language preservation. The hook engages the
reader with the topic of environmental and cultural diversity, the background provides
context about efforts to save rare languages, and the thesis presents the author's argument
about Malik's position on language extinction.
Introduction Example 2:
When a cell phone goes off in a classroom or at a concert, we are
irritated, but at least our lives are not endangered. When we are on
the road, however, irresponsible cell phone users are more than
irritating: They are putting our lives at risk. Many of us have
witnessed drivers so distracted by dialing and chatting that they
resemble drunk drivers, weaving between lanes, for example, or nearly
running down pedestrians in crosswalks. A number of bills to regulate
use of cell phones on the road have been introduced in state
legislatures, and the time has come to push for their passage.
Regulation is needed because drivers using phones are seriously
impaired and because laws on negligent and reckless driving are not
sufficient to punish offenders.
 Locate and underline the different parts: the hook, background, and thesis.
 What type of Introduction is this example? Why?

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This is a topic-based essay since it has set up the problem without directly referencing specific
readings. It provides background information, highlights the importance of the issue and presents
the author’s thesis.
More examples of Topic-based introductions
To do: Identify the four parts of a topic-based introduction
Color code: Hook, Background, Issue/Problem, and Thesis
#1
Cell Phones in the Hands of Drivers: A Risk or a Benefit?
When a cell phone goes off in a classroom or at a concert, we are irritated, but at least our
lives are not endangered. When we are on the road, however, irresponsible cell phone users are more
than irritating: They are putting our lives at risk. Many of us have witnessed drivers so distracted by
dialing and chatting that they resemble drunk drivers, weaving between lanes, for example, or nearly
running down pedestrians in crosswalks. A number of bills to regulate use of cell phones on the road
have been introduced in state legislatures, and the time has come to push for their passage.
Regulation is needed because drivers using phones are seriously impaired and because laws on
negligent and reckless driving are not sufficient to punish offenders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2
What’s for Dinner? Personal Choices vs. Public Health
Should the government enact laws to regulate healthy eating choices? Many Americans
would answer an emphatic “No,” arguing that what and how much we eat should be left to individual
choice rather than unreasonable laws. Others might argue that it would be unreasonable for the
government not to enact legislation, given the rise of chronic diseases that result from harmful diets.
In this debate, both the definition of reasonable regulations and the role of government to legislate
food choices are at stake. In the name of public health and safety, state governments have the
responsibility to shape health policies and to regulate healthy eating choices, especially since doing
so offers a potentially large social benefit for a relatively small cost.
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#3
Performance Enhancement through Biotechnology Has No Place in Sports
The debate over athletes’ use of performance-enhancing substances is getting more

complicated as biotechnologies such as gene therapy become a reality. The availability of these new
methods of boosting performance will force us to decide what we value most in sports – displays of
physical excellence developed through hard work or victory at all costs. For centuries, spectators and
athletes have cherished the tradition of fairness in sports. While sports competition is, of course,
largely about winning, it is also about the means by which a player or team wins. Athletes who use
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any type of biotechnology give themselves an unfair advantage and disrupt the sense of fair play, and
they should be banned from competition.
Reference: dianahacker.com
Eng0700/0800
Thesis Statements
 The thesis statement addresses the given essay topic. If you have been given an essay
question, your thesis statement should answer that question in a straightforward manner.
 It should also outline the organization of your body.
 It must be an argument, and not simply a statement of fact.

1. Include the thesis at the end of the introduction.
2. Make your thesis one to two sentences long.
3. Make sure that it provides a clear response to the essay question or takes a clear position
on an issue; that it is arguable (someone can agree with disagree with it) and not a
statement of fact; and that it can be supported with evidence.
4. The elements in the thesis should be presented in the same order that you will discuss
them in the body paragraphs of your essay.
Examples:
Not a thesis – Google+ and Facebook have different features.

(Statement of a fact, not an argument)
Thesis – Google+ is better than Facebook.
(an argument, but not specific)
Strong thesis – Google+ is better than Facebook because its design enables users to
manage their friends using separate circles and to target different posts to
various, separate groups.
(a clear, specific argument; outlines the organization of the essay)
Give it a Try: Pretend that you have to write an essay about your perception about the
most challenging class that you will take this term. With this topic in mind, write the
following:
A non-thesis:
Both apples and chips are food.
A thesis that is not specific enough:

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Apples are better than chips.
A strong thesis:
Apples are better than chips is because eating apples can bring more health benefits, like
improved heart health, better digestion and reduced risk of chronic disease while
consuming chips only contribute to gaining weight and high cholesterol.

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Type 1: Introduction for a Reading-based Essay

Follow these guidelines:

1. Introduce your topic (Hook)

Type 2: Introduction for a Topic-based Essay

A topic-based essay makes an argument about an issue or problem instead of focusing on

Follow these guidelines:

1. Introduce your topic (Hook)

Let’s sum it up:

 What is the main difference between the two types of introductions?

Examples and Review:

Not many would question the goodness of environmental and

 Highlight the different parts: the hook, background and thesis.

 What type of Introduction is this example? Why?

 What type of Introduction is this example? Why?

More examples of Topic-based introductions

To do: Identify the four parts of a topic-based introduction

Color code: Hook, Background, Issue/Problem, and Thesis

Cell Phones in the Hands of Drivers: A Risk or a Benefit?

What’s for Dinner? Personal Choices vs. Public Health

Performance Enhancement through Biotechnology Has No Place in Sports

The debate over athletes’ use of performance-enhancing substances is getting more

Follow these guidelines:

Not a thesis – Google+ and Facebook have different features.

Both apples and chips are food.

A thesis that is not specific enough:

Apples are better than chips.

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