Final answer:
A Lead-in statement introduces a quote and its source, demonstrating how the quote will support the main idea of the paragraph, which should align with the thesis statement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of a Lead-in statement is to smoothly introduce a quote into your text, ensuring that it integrates well with your ideas and contributes to your argument. Specifically, it serves to:
Demonstrate the main idea of what will be discussed in the paragraph, providing a clear context for the following quote or evidence.
Introduce the quote's source, establishing the authority and credibility of the information you are using to support your argument.
While establishing the source of the quote is key, a lead-in statement itself does not necessarily establish that a quote is directly from the text; this is usually made clear through citation. In the context of essay writing and presenting arguments, it is critical that each piece of evidence, including quotes, is directly related to the thesis statement and the argument you're building. This includes expressing the significance of the quote, ensuring relevance, and ending with a transition sentence to maintain the flow of your writing.