Frequently Asked Questions about Writing

What is a thesis statement? How do I write one?

The thesis statement is one of the most important aspects of academic discourse (college writing).

It's the sentence in your introduction that tells your readers exactly what your paper is about.
The thesis sentence consists of two parts: the subject and the writer's attitude or point of view toward the subject.
It is much more than a statement of fact as it makes a general statement that is supported by main ideas and details. Your paper should "prove" your thesis.
It is specific and avoids vague words like "I think" or "The purpose of this paper is..." These kinds of phrases are distracting and can weaken your paper.
Typically it appears at or near the end of the introductory paragraph.
While it is not always necessary to use a single sentence for this, it's a good idea if you can do so. Doing this will help your thesis (and your paper) maintain clarity.

How can I make my paper flow better?

"Flow" is a non-technical term that is often used to describe two aspects of writing, organization and transition. Organization is the arranging of your supporting points, and your goal is to arrange them in the manner that suits your purpose best. For example, in an argument you usually want to present your strongest point first and work your way through toward your weaker points. This is also true in most of the forms of academic writing, such as informative and research writing. If your purpose is better suited to a strong finish, you can start off with your weaker points and build up to your strongest at the end.

Transition deals with how you move from one point to the next. This most often involves the first sentence of your paragraph, and is, in a sense, a tiny introduction to your new supporting point. Simply jumping into the topic sentence is the simplest form of transition, but it is also a major cause of "lack of flow." Take a sentence to explain how your previous point relates to the new point, or how they can be distinguished from each other.

How do I write an introduction and a conclusion?

The job of the introduction is to lead your readers into your essay. There are countless different ways to do this, and many will vary depending on your topic, but the most effective introductions are the ones that interest the reader, that draw the reader in. Make your reader want to keep reading. You can use outside sources to do this, or you can rely on your own powers of persuasion. You can explain why your topic is an issue of interest, or you can present an example of a situation or person that is involved in your topic.

Some additional strategies include:

Using an interesting quote or intriguing statement which illustrates your thesis (avoid trite, overworked expressions like "In the world today...").
Creating a contrast to the thesis or comparing the topic to one that is familiar to the reader. This helps to define or describe your topic.
Asking provocative or disturbing questions that pique the reader's curiosity and get them thinking about your topic.

The main reason writing an introduction is so difficult is because there are so many options. So just find the one that suits you and your topic best.

It can often be helpful to postpone writing your introduction and conclusion until you've at least drafted the body of your paper. This will give you a good idea of the direction your paper is taking so that you can sculpt a more fitting intro and<