[V5] P3: Essay - The Introduction and thesis

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

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Today

An argumentative essay

The introduction & thesis

The introduction

Your essay should start with an introductory paragraph, the introduction. The introduction grabs the reader’s attention and explains what your essay will be about. There are several ways to build an introduction. 

A hook

You can think of the hook as a fishing hook for your essay; it’s something that grabs a reader and reels them in. The hook for your essay could be any interesting sentence that captures attention and keeps the reader reading. The hook often appears in the very first sentence. 

• a quotation
  
• an interesting fact (a statistic, for example, showing that you know what you’re talking about). 
  
• a definition of an important term
  
• an assertion that a problem exists
  
• a glance at a different view from your own: While some people believe peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are too simple, they are versatile sandwiches that you can easily turn into a gourmet meal.
• an interesting question (but not informal! --> tricky!)

The thesis statement [=stelling]

A thesis statement explains your point of view and mentions your main arguments. 

Make sure that your thesis statement is convincing [=overtuigend]; state your claim in firm words, don’t make it look like you are unsure of your own position. 

Tips:

1. Your thesis statement should be one or two sentences maximum.
2. Your thesis statement should clearly present the main idea of your essay and make some kind of assertion. 
   
3. The thesis statement should be broad enough that you have enough to say about it, but not so broad that you can't be detailed.
   
4. The thesis statement should be the final sentence of your introductory paragraph. 
   

Task #1

Decide whether the sentence you see is a good thesis statement or not.

Is this a thesis statement?
I want to tell you about the many defects in the administration’s proposals for restructuring the Social Security program.

1. Yes
2. No

Is this a thesis statement?
Schools should not be opened during the Corona pandemic to avoid spreading of the virus.

1. Yes
2. No

Is this a thesis statement?
Al Capone, the Chicago gang leader, was nicknamed ‘Scarface’.

1. Yes
2. No

Is this a thesis statement?
My thesis asks whether affirmative action programs are just a new form of racism.

1. Yes
2. No

Is this a thesis statement?
University education should be free for all students because it should be available to all people, also those who cannot afford it otherwise.

1. Yes
2. No

Task #2

For every thesis statement, write down if it is a good thesis statement or if it needs improvement. Improve them if necessary. 

1. British and American poets through the centuries have vastly overrated the glories of romantic love.

2. Common sense is sometimes the enemy of genius.

3. In Moby Dick, the author Melville does a very good job.

Task #3/4

Think of a topic that you will use to practice writing an essay throughout this booklet and this period. Come up with a good thesis statement and write an introduction. Make sure to grab the reader’s attention and to end your introduction with your thesis statement. 

Example topics

Human cloning, death penalty, violence in video games, School uniforms, Abortion, Euthanasia

If you have any questions and/or comments after today's lesson, please leave them here!