TEMPLATE FOR INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

(also called the THESIS PARAGRAPH)

1. HOOK: to open the thesis paragraph, select a startling statistic, quote, or example which establishes the topic (problem or trend) and grabs the reader’s attention; must be properly documented and the source cited in Works Cited)

2. (Optional: background information, technical explanations, or definitions necessary to understand the paper)

3. THESIS STATEMENT: (the main point of your paper—which is the answer to the research question or a final statement of your working thesis statement. This is a direct statement, not a question.

4. SUB-POINTS in an Essay Map (an essay map is a sentence listing, in parallel structure, a minimum of three sub-groups into which the evidence will be divided in the paper--the different categories into which you have grouped the evidence to support the thesis. Each sub-point--in order--will correspond to a body paragraph in the paper. To properly launch the reader into the paper, the sub-points belong in the last sentence of the opening paragraph.

5. The thesis and sub-points may appear in the same sentence.

MODEL: THESIS PARAGRAPH

 "The nation's current nursing shortage contributes to tens of thousands of yearly deaths due to hospital mistakes such as patients falls and infections," according to a reports released by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare organizations ("New"). As this crisis continues to threaten the nation, many efforts are being implemented to eliminate the nursing shortage. Increased employment incentives by hospitals, federal grants and scholarships from the government, and a positive marketing campaign by employers are three approaches being employed to lure more people into the nursing profession.

WORKS CITED (on a separate page)

“New Law Aims to Ease U.S. Nursing Shortage.” Nations Health Oct. 2002:

       5. Academic Search Premier. Ebsco Publishing. Manatee

         Community Coll.  Lib., Bradenton. 30 Jan. 2003

         http://www.epnet.com