- 1). Grab your reader's attention by beginning with a relevant quotation, anecdote or question. "History knows no greater display of courage than that shown by the people of the Soviet Union," a World War II quote by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, sets the stage for a history essay that explores the role of the Soviet Union in defeating the Germans.
- 2). Present the historical or social context of your topic. Most long papers require research; you have likely become an expert on your topic through your reading. However, your reader may not share your knowledge of the subject and will not be able to grasp the significance of your thesis without some context. Context answers who, what, where, when and why about a topic. For example, after the quote about the courage of the Soviet Union, you could describe the conditions under which the Soviet army fought, how long, where and why they fought and how many soldiers died. Explain the context in 50 to 200 words. Cite any references to research.
- 3). Frame the issue. Without giving away your ultimate argument, position or focus, explain the theme or issue you will be discussing. For instance, if your essay argues that the Soviet's role in World War II was superfluous, describe the current scholarly debate on this issue. Brief the reader on what either side believes. Frame the issue in 50 to 100 words.
- 4). State your thesis. The thesis contains the argument of your paper. In a paper on the Soviet Union's role in World War I, the thesis might read "Despite popular belief, the Soviet Union suffered needlessly in World War II, because the Allies could have won without their effort on the Eastern front." The thesis is usually the final sentence of an introduction.
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