Minutes a day n e w y o r k

A New Twist on a Familiar Phrase
Reword or rework an old standard to create a fresh hook.
To eat or not to eat? That is the question millions of Americans struggle with every day as they fight the battle of the
bulge. But it seems to be a losing battle. Despite the millions spent on diet pills and diet plans, Americans today are
heavier than ever.
There are many reasons for this nationwide weight gain, but experts agree that the main cause is lack of exer-
cise. And one of the reasons we don’t get enough exercise is because we spend too much time in front of the TV.
Notice that this introduction is actually two paragraphs. In some essays, the introduction runs three or even
four paragraphs. The key is to have an introduction that is in proportion with the rest of the essay. If your essay
is two pages long, one paragraph is probably sufficient for the introduction. If it goes longer, the body of your essay,
where you develop your main points and support them with evidence and examples, will lack the room it needs
to completely state your case. But if your essay is ten or twelve pages long, it may take a couple of paragraphs to
properly introduce your topic and thesis. You might have a more detailed anecdote, for example, or spend two or
three paragraphs describing a scenario that sets up your thesis.