1. The Introduction Paragraph
Thesis Statement - main point of an essay. It explains what the essay will be about and expresses the writer's position on the subject. It may also give clues about how the essay will develop or how it will be organized. Typically, a thesis statement is expressed in a single sentence.
Ex: Playing team sports develops skills and qualities that can make you successful in life because these sports demand communication, teamwork, and responsibility.

2. The Introduction Paragraph
The thesis statement should appear in your introduction paragraph. Typically, it is the very last sentence in your introduction paragraph.
For the purpose of your comparison/contrast paper, you will need to decide how you are going to approach comparing/contrasting two things. When two things are very different, the similarities are often most interesting; when two things are very similar, it might be beneficial to emphasize the differences.

3. The Introduction Paragraph
So, your thesis statement might look something like one of these two:
1. Although __________ and __________ may seem to be very similar, they are actually quite different in terms of __________, __________, __________.
2. Despite the fact that __________ and _________ are clearly different, they are actually quite similar in terms of _________, _________, and _________.

4. The Introduction Paragraph
Introduction paragraphs can be quite daunting, even for experienced writers. If you have a lot of trouble with this, write a tentative introduction and return to it later. Once you have written the rest of your essay, it can often times be easier to craft an effective introduction.
When finished, your introduction paragraph should interest your reader, provide necessary background information, and, of course, present your thesis statement.

5. How to begin your introduction paragraph…
1. Begin with a provocative rhetorical question, and then propose possible answers as you work towards your thesis statement
2. Begin with a story or anecdote (one that is relevant as you move towards your thesis statement)
3. Offer a relevant quotation, explain the quote and its relevance to your point as you move toward your thesis statement
4. Move from general to specific. Begin with the category or general subject area to which your topic belongs, and narrow it to arrive at your thesis.

6. Things to avoid...
1. Do not make an announcement
2. Keep your introduction relatively short - one solid paragraph is probably enough for this assignment
3. Do not state your thesis statement immediately - work up to your point
In other words, start with...
1. An attention-getter of some sort
2. A few narrowing sentences that move from your attention-getter to your thesis statement (moving from general to specific)
3. End with your thesis statement

7. Organizing Your Essay
Thesis: McDonald’s is a better fast food restaurant than Burger King because they have superior chicken nuggets, friendly service, and great commercials.
Option # 1: Point by Point Method
Introduction
Superior Chicken Nuggets (1st point)
A. McDonald’s
B. Burger King

8. Organizing Your Essay
III. Friendly Service (2nd point) A. McDonald’s B. Burger King IV. Great Commercials (3rd point) V. Conclusion *Sample essays on website

9. Organizing Your Essay
Thesis: McDonald’s is a better fast food restaurant than Burger King because they have superior chicken nuggets, friendly service, and great commercials.
Option # 2: Block Method
Introduction
McDonald’s (1st point)
A. Superior Chicken Nuggets
B. Friendly Service
C. Great commercials

10. Organizing Your Essay
III. Burger King (2nd point) A. Subpar Chicken Nuggets B. Poor Service C. Poor quality commercials IV. Conclusion p. 377 Block Method Essay (384) Organizer p. 382 and 383

11. Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentence  states the main point of your paragraph
It should be specific, clear, and focused.
It can look something like your thesis statement and should state which point in your essay map you are going to address.
Example: The first reason McDonald’s is a better fast food restaurant than Burger King is because they have amazing chicken nuggets.

12. Body Paragraphs
Example: 1. The first reason McDonald’s is a better fast food restaurant than Burger King is because they have amazing chicken nuggets. 2. Admittedly, Burger King serves great food, but the delicious chicken nuggets available at McDonald’s are far superior to anything available on the menu at Burger King.

13. Body Paragraphs
The rest of your body paragraph should be devoted to including supporting details that support/explain your topic sentence.
Provide specific supporting details
Use transitions within your body paragraphs p
Vary your sentence structure
Avoid overusing personal pronouns

14. What is a transition? Bridges parts of your paper together Point B
Helps you (writer) carry over a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph to another with words or phrases
Guides the reader to interpret ideas the way you (as a writer) want them to
Point B
Point A

15. What is a transition?
Transitions link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly….
so there are no abrupt jumps
or breaks between ideas

16. There are several types of transitional devices; each leads your reader to make certain connections or assumptions about the areas you’re connecting
Some lead the reader forward to “build”
on an idea or thought
Types of Transitions
Others make your reader compare
or draw conclusions from preceding
thoughts

17. Types of Transitions A transition can be A single word A phrase
A sentence
An entire paragraph
All function the same way  a transition either directly summarizes the content of a preceding sentence, section, etc., or it helps the reader anticipate or comprehend NEW information that you’re going to present.

18. Transition Placement Between Sections Between Paragraphs
In longer works, it may be necessary to include transitional paragraphs that summarize for the reader what was just covered and specify how it connects to what is going to be covered next.
Between Paragraphs
If you have done a good job of arranging paragraphs so that the content of one leads logically to the next, the transition will highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows.
A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence.

19. Example of Paragraph Transitions

20. Transition Placement Within Paragraphs:
As with transitions between sections and paragraphs, transitions within paragraphs act as cues by helping readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it.
Within paragraphs, transitions tend to be single words or short phrases.

21. Transitions – To Add
These words signify that you’re elaborating on an idea in your writing:
And, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what’s more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)
Example: Friends is a television show about six friends. It shows how relationships are often complicated.
Friends is a television show about six friends. Furthermore, it shows how relationships are often complicated.

22. Transitions – To Compare
These words signify you’re comparing a previous idea to a new one in your paper, or describing two different things:
Whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true…
Example: Ross and Rachel are dating. Ross and Monica are siblings.
Ross and Rachel are dating. However, Ross and Monica are siblings.

23. Transitions – To Prove
Use these words to indicate support for your argument:
Because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is…
Example: Monica loves food. She is a chef.
Monica loves food. In fact, she is a chef.

24. Transitions – To Show Exception
These words help you move to an idea that counters an earlier idea
Yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes…
Example: Phoebe acts unintelligently. She has some of the smartest observations.
Phoebe acts unintelligently. Yet, she has some of the smartest observations.

25. Transitions – To Show Time
When telling events in a chronological sequence, these words help make the order clear:
Immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then…
Example: Ross and Rachel get married. They get a divorce. They have a baby.
First, Ross and Rachel get married. Soon after, they get a divorce. Then, they have a baby.

26. Transitions – To Emphasize
Emphasis words do just that – serve to emphasize points that you want the reader to really be aware of and understand:
Definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation…
Example: Ross has been married three times. Ross likes to get married.
Ross has been married three times. Obviously, Ross likes to get married.

27. Transitions – To Show Sequence or “Results”
If there is no clear order or you’re writing that one idea causes another, use the following words:
First, second, third, and so forth, next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon…
Example: Joey went to film a movie in Las Vegas. Ross and Rachel got married.
Joey went to film a movie in Las Vegas. At this time, Ross and Rachel got married.

28. Transitions – To Give an Example
Words such as these clearly indicate when you’re giving an example to support yourself:
For example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration…
Example: Joey does not share food. He will not even share with Emma, Rachel’s baby.
Joey does not share food. For example, he will not even share with Emma, Rachel’s baby.

29. Transitions – To Summarize or Conclude
When trying to summarize your points, using these words clearly signals your intent:
In brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, on the whole…
Example: Friends shows the lives of six friends. It shows how they interact with each other.
Friends shows the lives of six friends. Consequently, it shows how they interact with each other.

30. Body Paragraphs
Example body paragraph on word document

31. Body Paragraphs
Concluding Sentence  the last sentence in your body paragraph that signals to your readers that you are transitioning from one main point/argument to another.
Essentially, this sentence is a rewording of your topic sentence that begins with some a word or phrase that signals you are concluding your 1st main point.
All in all, the quality of chicken nuggets is just one of the reasons why McDonald’s is a better fast food restaurant than Burger King.

32. Body Paragraphs
Examples: All in all, the quality of chicken nuggets is just one of the reasons why McDonald’s is a better fast food restaurant than Burger King.
In any event, the quality of the food at Burger King is simply no match for the menu options available at McDonald’s.

33. Body Paragraphs Concluding Sentence
Possible words or phrases you can use to start your concluding sentence(s):
All in all, In other words,
In short, All things considered,
In any event, In any case,
In summary, To sum up,
To summarize, With this in mind,

34. Conclusion Paragraph
An effective conclusion paragraph can begin with a reworking of your thesis statement.
In conclusion, McDonald’s is clearly a better fast food restaurant than Burger King.
- Rather than simply summarize your main points, it is far more effective to write your conclusion in such a way that it reaffirms your thesis and leaves your reader with a last impression of your essay/argument.

35. Conclusion Paragraph
Once you restate your thesis statement at the beginning of the conclusion paragraph, consider utilizing one of the following suggestions:
1. Look ahead and take your readers beyond the scope and time frame of your essay.
2. Remind readers of the relevance of the issue and reaffirm its importance.
3. Offer a recommendation or make a call to action.

36. Conclusion Paragraph
4. Discuss the broader implications of your thesis statement and main points. Point to larger issues not fully addressed in your essay.
5. If you began your introduction with a quote, question, anecdote, then revisit it in your conclusion and make everything come full circle at the end.
Much like your introduction paragraph, your conclusion paragraph should be relatively brief.

37. Ideas for Possible Topics…
Two public figures
Two forms of entertainment or one form of entertainment as it is used today and as it was used ten or more years ago
Your views versus your parents’ or grandparents’ views on an issue
Two different cultures’ approaches to a rite of passage or life in general
Two similar products
A movie vs. a book
Two musicians or styles of music