This is really sad, but I need help with what exactly a closing and opening paragraph should have in it.?

Question

I'm in HS (very pathetic, I know), but I'm still a little fuzzy on those two paragraphs. I know they should both have a thesis, but what else?

(For example, I have to do a 5-9 paragraph paper on how absolutism affected european nobility. So what else goes in there?)

Thank you!!

Answer 1

A thesis statement should express one main idea. Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse readers bout the subject of your paper.

Next, a strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand. Ok so remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject. AND the thesis takes a stand. It should be possible for reasonable people to disagree on the subject you're exploring in your paper. Because a good thesis indicates your point of view on this subject, it should justify discussion of the topic.

Ok so for example...
"Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and web pages can provide both advertising and customer support."
So this statement is weak because a reader wouldn't be able to decide if the paper is about marketing on the Internet or web pages. So, a better way of putting it...
"Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.

This is Strong thesis statement because it shows the relationship between two ideas. A GREAT many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like because, since, so, although, unless, and however.

A strong thesis statement is also specific. It will show your reader exactly what your paper will be about. Also, by making it specific it will help restrict your paper to a manageable subject.


You conclusion will state all the factors you have used to prove your point. You will say why your point is fact by reiterating each discussion from your paper. If, then, thus, therefore, etc.


So, for your example - you need to say why absolutism affected euro nobility. So you need to make an assertion about why it does - and back it up in your paper. ie. "Absolutism affected European nobility because of a, b, and c"

Answer 2

Your introduction paragraph should begin with something that catches the reader's attention, and it's often a lot more general than the thesis or topic for the paper. You then relate this general attention-catcher to the topic of your paper, Then you say the topic sentence, then your thesis. It doesn't have to be only one sentence for each part, too, just go with what sounds good. If you need to say more in your introduction, go for it.
For the concluding paragraph, you pretty much do the same thing but in the reverse order. So you start by relating the body paragraphs to your thesis, then to your topic. Take however many sentences you need to do this. Then broaden it out again, and tie the paper together by referencing the first attention-grabber.

I'm also in high school, and know that a lot of the time, teachers are picky and have a certain way they like these type of things to be done. In general though, this format will sound nice and get a good grade. Let me know if you need anything else!! :)


One more quick thing, I always had problems with the difference between topic and thesis. Topic sentence is what the paper is about, Thesis is what you are going to prove or say about the topic. I hope this helps...