11 Ways to Begin an Essay and 10 Ways to End Beginnings: 1. A paradoxical or intriguing statement 2. An arresting statistic or shocking statement 3.

A question 4. A quotation or literary allusion 5. A relevant story, joke, or anecdote 6. A description, often used for emotional appeal 7. A factual statement or a summary of who-what-where-when-and-why 8. An analogy or contrast 9. A personal experience 10. A catalogue of relevant examples 11. Statement of a problem or a popular misconception Endings: 1. A restatement of both the thesis and the essays major points (for long essays only) 2. An evaluation of the importance of the essays subject. 3. A statement of the essays broader implications 4. A call to action 5. A prophecy or warning based on the essays thesis 6. A witticism that emphasizes or sums up the point of the essay 7. A quotation, story, or joke that emphasizes or sums up the point of the essay 8. An image or description that lends finality to the essay 9. A rhetorical question that makes the readers think about the essays main point. 10. An emphatic summary of the essays thesis, stated in fresh terms