The pattern of every academic paper follows the basic template of the five-paragraph essay, the most crucial of which is the first paragraph. The structure of your introductory paragraph revolves around refining the thesis statement along with an explanation of your specific subject and the queries you intend to make in the course of your written piece. It will also determine how the closing argument will be structured, as your opening argument is traditionally repeated in the conclusion.
Before you begin writing, make sure you have researched your topic adequately enough to have reliable references and a solid understanding of the subject. It is difficult to refine your thesis statement if you lack this detailed knowledge. Academic papers also require that the student list their references so their research skills and the works cites can be evaluated. These measures are also used to safeguard against copying and plagiarism.
Once you have an in-depth understanding of your topic you can begin the process of composing and refining your thesis statement. The premise and arguments you propose in your thesis must be organized so your thesis can be as specific. Analyze and question each paragraph of your first written draft in the context of what your thesis proposes and make sure the connection is direct and linear. The thesis is similar to a scientific hypothesis in this regard.
Clarification is a process in which the writer makes the thesis statement as specific as possible. You have already surrounded your thesis with a general claim and a statement that you will need to prove in a first draft. Clarification is what helps involve your reader in the subject and engage them in the writing. This can include introducing a new idea or describing a certain time or setting with an anecdote, interesting idea or short fact related to both the thesis and the subject.