Background sentences essay writing

Background statement = a paraphrase of the essay question. Thesis statement = your position or main points. This lesson will give you practice at paraphrasing essay questions to make a background statement. Below you will find 4 essays with model background statements and a list of tips to help you.

It is the FIRST paragraph that the marker reads and should ‘grab’ the reader. Introduction paragraphs are usually about 5% of your essay word count. In clearly-written sentences, the writer gives some background on the main topic; explains the academic problem and tells the reader what to expect in the rest...

How, and just as importantly, where, you write the background information can make or break your paper. Before you look at examples, think about your own essay and keep these tips in mind. Including too much information risks overwhelming the reader and veering off topic. Including too little information means leaving your reader confused.

You can see how this works in a variety of pieces, including personal essays, research papers, and more. In each example, the background information is italicized. In this famous personal essay by Joan Didion, notice how the introduction grabs your attention and then quickly gives you some background information about Didion’s life.