1. How to Write an Essay Part 1: The Intro Paragraph

2. 1. Analyze the question (make sure you understand the question and understand every aspect of it, so you directly answer the prompt) • 2. Identify the task • 3. Develop your thesis and write the intro (this is what we’re talking about today) • 4. Write the body • 5. Write the conclusion (restate your thesis and summarize the main points of your essay. Do not introduce new info here!) For the entire essay

3. FIRST: Establish the setting of the essay- briefly introduce the reader to the subject Ex.) The Civil War, occuring between 1861 and 1865, was a significant turning point in American history. Here’s how to structure an intro paragraph in four steps

4. SECOND: Provide an insightful comment that establishes your basis for analysis. Build your credibility. Ex.) In determining whether the Civil War was a revolution in American society, one must assess the extent to which society was changed by the war.

5. THIRD: Provide a “partition” sentence that establishes your major sub-topics you plan to discuss. Ex.) Politically, the war established supremacy of the Republican party. Socially, the war saw significant gains in African American rights. Constitutionally, the war established the power of the federal government over states.

6. FOURTH: A clear thesis statement that establishes purpose of essay. Ex.) Thus, the Civil War did represent a political, social, and constitutional revolution in America.

7. Simple: “The Civil War was a revolution in American society.” • Simple split: “The Civil War was a revolution in America politically, socially, and constitutionally.” • Complex: “Politically, the war established supremacy of the Republican party. Socially, the war saw significant gains in African American rights. Constitutionally, the war established the power of the federal government over states. Thus, the civil war represented to a large degree a political, social, and constitutional revolution in America.” So let’s think about the thesis

8. The epic Ramayana tells fantastic stories about its hero, Rama. What qualities of an epic hero does Rama exhibit in this selection? In a brief essay, explain why Rama is an epic hero. Use details from the selection to support your explanation. So let’s build an intro paragraph with this prompt