Sample intro paragraph

Chauncey Lefferts, the main character in Louis Auchinloss's short story The Landmarker was having a classic midlife crisis. After living for years as an "extra man," in the patrician society of New York City, he realized his whole life was a sham. He found that he was a man of no real consequence, and was increasingly on the margins as he grew older. During his time of turmoil he roamed the streets of New York to search for a past that had more meaning for him than his sad present. He started to campaign for an old relic of a building much to the chagrin of the established order.

Thesis: Chauncey is having a midlife crisis.

Paragraph One: What is an extra man?

Paragraph Two: The midlife crisis- talk a bit about his realization

Paragraph Three: Talk about his roaming of the city.

Paragraph Four: Talk about his campaign to save an old building.

Paragraph Five: Conclusion. Midlife Crisis--might mention the outcome--what insight did you glean?