Collect and organize information on your topic. Brainstorm possible arguments for your thesis. Take notes as you familiarize yourself with your chosen topic. Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation are not a concern at this point. Write down all ideas that come to mind. This process allows you to formulate your introduction and thesis in a more natural manner.
Assess your attitude or position about the subject. Analyze the validity of your potential thesis statement. Ask yourself if you have the proof necessary to support your claim. This is important because the thesis statement is a major part of your introduction, and the central theme of your paper or speech. A good thesis will propose a solution to a problem, explain something or offer an evaluation. Ideally you should have at least three ideas or examples to support your thesis statement.
Write the body of your paper. The body of your paper should contain all ideas, facts or illustrations that support your thesis statement. Writing the body of your paper or speech before formulating the introduction helps ensure that your topic is properly introduced to your audience. Also, composing an introduction after the body may help your paper or speech flow in a more cohesive fashion.
Compose your thesis statement. Limit your thesis statement to a single sentence. A thesis statement should be clear, concise and easy to understand. A thesis will also set the expectation of what will follow in the remainder of a speech or paper.
Write the remaining sentences of your introduction. Start the first sentence with a question, story or a little-known fact. This will help you capture the attention of your audience. In general, an introduction should not exceed one-half of a page.