Developing Effective Essay Introductions, Body Paragraphs and Conclusions

The introductory paragraph announces the topic of your essay which is stated in your main point/thesis statement.

1.Develop a main point/thesis statement: The introductory paragraph may be written at any point in the drafting of an essay; however, be sure to have your thesis statement developed before you begin writing the essay.

2.Develop a general statement:  This statement begins your introductory paragraph. A general statement engages and “hooks” your reader and establishes your topic. This first sentence should spark your reader’s interest.
The following are examples of general statements for an essay about students being required to exercise during school using the main point/thesis statement: 
School age children should be required to participate in school sports because they will be healthier, learn to socialize, and maintain a healthy body weight.

a.Startling statistic or fact: Thirty percent of school age children are overweight.
b. Vivid example: My sister Tiffany has been struggling with obesity since she was three years old.
c.Quotation or bit of dialogue: “You can’t run very fast.” These words are said every day in schools across the nation.
d.Question: Should the United States risk children’s health in favor of academics?
e.Brief story: Imagine being a child and going to school, worried every day someone will make fun of you.
f. Paradoxical statement: Eating brings great pleasure yet also pain.

3.  Develop connector sentences: Connector sentences followr your general statement sentence. For a short essay, plan on creating three or four sentences that narrow to your main point/thesis statement. For example, if you create the general statement--startling statistic: Thirty percent of school age children are overweight, then your connector sentences might be:
Many overweight children ingest too many calories and are now suffering from diabetes and heart disease. This may be because many children watch far too much TV and play video games which creates isolated environments. Also, many aren’t learning any aspects of teamwork.
Thesis statement: Therefore, students should be required to participate in organized sports because sports activities will make students healthier, build social skills, and develop teamwork skills.

4 Easy Steps 
For Developing Body Paragraphs 

Body paragraphs prove your thesis so you need to develop the thesis of an essay first.  

1.Thesis: Your thesis contains your main points you are making in an essay. Each body paragraph should only focus on one point.
For example, if your thesis statement is:
Students should be required to participate in organized sports because sports activities will make students healthier, build social skills, and students will develop teamwork abilities. 
The bolded phrases are the points. Each one should be its own body paragraph or paragraphs. 
2.Develop topic sentences: Each body paragraph usually begins with a topic sentence.   A topic sentence announces the main point of the paragraph. Use each point in thesis statement and develop topic sentences.  
For example three topic sentences from the above thesis:
If students are required to participate in sports at school they will be healthier.
Students who exercise in school build social skills.
Teamwork abilities will be developed in children if they are required to play in groups.
3.Develop reasons and examples: Each topic sentence guides the information that is in each body paragraph; however, reasons and examples must be developed, too.
For example:
If students are required to participate in sports at school they will be healthier. 
Reasons and examples:
Many know that persons who exercise are healthier than individuals who don’t. Exercise increases metabolism by burning calories and increasing heart rate. When my sister began an exercise program, she lost ten pounds and her blood pressure went down.  Participating in sports will also reduce the risk of heart attacks because activity strengthens the heart. Also, with increase in metabolism, many will benefit because obesity may be reduced.
4.Add a transition sentence: Transition sentences lead your reader to the next paragraph.  For example:
Also, when students are required to participate in sports at school they may build social skills. 

3 Easy Steps
For Developing a Concluding Paragraph
Concluding paragraphs should summarize the main idea of the essay without repeating it. It should be relatively short and may give the reader something more to consider; however, it should not introduce a new main idea.
1.Reword thesis statement:  Rewording the thesis statement will remind the reader of the main idea without repeating it.

Thesis:  
School age children should be required to participate in school sports because they will be healthier, learn to socialize, and maintain a healthy body weight.
Reworded thesis statement:
When children benefit from school exercise, their lives will become more rewarding, and they will be in better health.
2.Create connector sentences:  A few connector sentences briefly remind the reader of the essay’s key points.
Connector sentences:
Also, fit students who learn to play with others will, no doubt, continue to thrive and cherish physical activity. Additionally, as they grow into adulthood, they may teach the next generation the importance of exercise.
3. Create a general concluding sentence: Leave the reader with a powerful, final thought. For example:
a.Solution to a problem:  If children are required to exercise, it may help solve the nation’s health problems.

b.Reference or detail from introduction: Thirty percent of overweight children is far too high for our society to be healthy.

c.Quote: My mother always says, “Children need to be healthy to be happy.”

d.Thought-provoking statement: Health problems may be the ruination of the United States.

e.Urge readers to accept thesis: Concerned citizens, for the sake of national health, should accept students should be required to exercise.

f.Ironic comment: Some may believe that education is more important than physical health; however, if young people don’t have healthy lifestyles, ironically their ability to acquire knowledge will suffer.