ENG ESSAY

2

Unit V

Lesson 6: The Introduction of the Illustration Essay

Introduction

In Unit II, Lesson 5, we discussed the structure of standard paragraphs. Then, in Unit II, Lesson 6, we took a look at the structure of the introductory paragraph. Let’s review some of these rules.

An introductory paragraph has the following characteristics:

1. is the first paragraph of the essay,

2. introduces the main idea of the essay,

3. attracts the reader and captures his or her interest,

4. identifies the topic and why it is important,

5. announces the purpose of the essay (usually), and

6. presents the thesis statement as the final sentence.

Your introductory paragraph for the illustration essay will contain these basic elements in a way that is slightly modified to meet the specifications of the genre.

Elements of the Introduction

As we know from the previous lesson, Lesson 5, the thesis statement for an illustration essay argues that a particular condition, situation, or phenomenon exists. As you begin to draft your essay, you want to consider the thesis statement and the purpose for writing the essay. You want to be sure that you are prefacing the thesis statement as well as building context for the topic itself before the reader arrives at the thesis statement. Therefore, consider the following:

1. Opening (O): Begin with a hook that gets the reader interested in the topic. You want to capture the reader’s attention right away.

2. Topic sentence (TS): Follow with a sentence that introduces the topic of your paper in earnest.

3. Supporting sentences (SS): Add some descriptive sentences that provide a general background for the topic.

4. Thesis statement (ThS): The descriptive sentences should lead to the final sentence in the paragraph: your thesis statement. Remember from Lesson 5 that your thesis statement may take a different form, depending upon whether you choose to use the single-example or the multiple-example essay model.

Now that we have discussed the basic form of the introductory paragraph, let’s take a look at a couple of examples based upon our already developed topic of technology usage and social health.

Examples of Illustration Introductions: Single-Example Essay Model

Using the formula from above, we know that we must include four elements in the introduction: opening, topic sentence, supporting sentences, and thesis. Recall that the thesis statement is our guide for the content in this paragraph. Further, the three aspects that will be explored in this essay are also highly influential; however, we want to focus on the thesis statement as it is ultimately the main idea behind the entire paper.

Example Introduction

(O) Social networks have irreparably changed the way that people interact with their technology, making it nearly impossible for a person to exist without being “plugged into” the network of users, likes, favorites, follows, friendings, and sharing. (TS) While social networks do offer users a number of benefits, like connecting with lost friends and relatives and sharing information, these websites can have detrimental effects. (SS) More specifically, there is a commitment to maintaining an online social network profile that demands that an individual be both active in his or her life and post about that life simultaneously. These demands equate to learned and integrated behaviors—what Ellison, Vitak, Gray, and Lampe (2014) would call Facebook relationship maintenance behaviors (FRMB)—which include actions such as responding to a post out of a sense of reciprocity. These kinds of behaviors influence the ways that people live and can impact all aspects of their lives. (ThS) Ultimately, social networking has more negative effects than positive by draining people’s time, impacting job stability and opportunities, and diminishing face-to-face interactions.

Ellison, N. B., Vitak, J., Gray, R., & Lampe, C. (2014). Cultivating social resources on social network sites: Facebook relationship maintenance behaviors and their role in social capital processes. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 19, 855-870. doi:10.1111/jcc4.12078

Review

1. A general introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the essay, introduces the main idea of the essay, attracts the reader and captures his or her interest, identifies the topic and why it is important, announces the purpose of the essay (usually), and presents the thesis statement as the final sentence.

2. The introduction for an illustration essay should contain (in this order) an opening, topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a thesis statement.