The Big 3 - Introduction, Body, Conclusion

How do I do it?

Start with a couple of sentences that introduce your topic to your reader. You do not have to give too much detailed information; save that for the body of your paper. Make these sentences as interesting as you can. Through them, you can hook a reader and get them very interested in the line of thinking you are going to develop in your project.

Then state your thesis, which may be done in one or more sentences. The length of your introduction depends on the length and complexity of your paper, but generally it should not exceed one page unless it is a very long project or a book. The average length of an introduction is one half a page. 

When do I do it?

Many books recommend writing your introduction last, after you finish your paper. This is to make sure that you introduce what you are actually going to say. 

 If your paper changes in the creating process, it is important to make sure that your introduction accurately reflects what you will be saying. If, however, you have written a good outline and stick to it, then it is fine to start writing your introduction first. Just make sure in your proofreading that you have kept the thread consistent throughout the paper. 

Why do I do it?

Without an introduction it is sometimes very difficult for your audience to figure out what you are trying to say. There needs to be a thread of an idea that they will follow through your paper or presentation. The introduction gives the reader the beginning of the piece of thread so they can follow it.  

The following example is strictly tongue in cheek but gives you the general idea...

(The thesis statement is in bold)

Teenagers in America are uniting to protest the beginning of school in August.  Loud protest demonstrations covered on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are generating lots of buzz in the teen community.  Gangs of teens are taking to the streets in front of school buildings and chanting slogans, "Like, we hate school!" and "Like, just let us sleep late!" and the ever-popular, "Like, School suckz!".  Adults are concerned the next generation will never learn to speak without overusing the word "like" and fear no one will be working or contributing to the Social Security fund.  For this terrible situation to stop, it is going to take a combined effort on the part of many people.  Programs such as enforced school lock-ins, jail sentences for teens using "like" in a sentence more than once and mandatory family meals would go a long way towards ending the crisis in our community.

 The point of having Body Paragraphs in your paper is to explain and develop the points that you made in your introductory paragraph and your thesis statement. Each paragraph must have a clear and focused point, set forth by your topic sentence, and must be continuous with the paragraphs before and after as well as support your thesis. 

Go to the following link and review the steps to creating a coherent body for your essay.

http://facweb.furman.edu/~moakes/Powerwrite/body.htm

So for the body of the paper - go back to the introduction and use your thesis statement to guide your next paragraphs:

enforced school lock-ins - explain why locking kids in the school and forcing them to study for days at a time would support your goals

jail sentences for teens using the word "like" in a sentence more than once - present your argument for eliminating the overuse of the word "like" by teens with the use of jail time

mandatory family meals - kids who eat a meal with their family at least once a week tend to have higher test scores so your argument should support making families eat together at least once a week.  Your paragraph should explain enforcement procedures (house to house checks, logging in to a secure website to videotape your family dining, etc.) and how you will coordinate the mandatory family meals with the enforced school lock-ins argument from your first paragraph.

Lots of people end their papers with their last argument and think it is enough:

"So, like you should just like put the kids in the dining room with their parents and make them like enjoy eating together."

But you are just leaving your reader out in the cold.

Your conclusion is your chance to have the last word on the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to summarize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.  A good conclusion should make a reader glad they took the time to read your paper.   

A better conclusion:

The problem of teens wanting to avoid school and overusing "like" can be eliminated.  It will, however, take time, money and a combined effort on the part of many people.  Job opportunities for teens who don't overuse "like", reduced sentences in jail when use is declining and early parole for good behavior will help engage teens and reinforce better grammar and word choices.  School lock-ins, when used properly, will foster a sense of community and and reduce gang activity since kids will be stuck in school under intense supervision.   Restricting food and water will encourage a better appreciation of the gifts children are given in their homes.  Outreach programs to monitor family dinners through use of computer and video monitoring could improve family closeness and raise test scores.  If these programs are implemented, we will surely see a decrease in teen vocabulary abuse and better future employees for the country and the world.

You try it - write more efficiently and with better clarity!