How do you write a strong introductory paragraph for an

argumentative essay?

In this lesson you will learn to write an introductory

paragraph to engage the reader in the topic by telling your reader why this issue

is important.

Let’s Review

Planning To Write

Drafting the Essay

Finding Supporting Evidence

Choosing a topic

A Common Mistake

An unorganized introduction makes for an unclear argument.

Core Lesson

Grab the reader’s attention with a hook like an interesting fact, personal story, or a question.

1

2 Describe the topic and why its important by presenting the major ideas of the essay.

Write the thesis as the last sentence of your paragraph.3

Core Lesson How do I structure an introductory

paragraph?

HookMajor Topics

Thesis Statement

Core Lesson

School lunches need to be improved.

The food is not tasty

There are not options

The food is not healthy

Core Lesson

How do I start my essay with a hook?

A hook is used at the beginning of an essay to grab the readers attention.

Have you ever eaten a school lunch that you thought was disgusting?Lunch time is usually a student’s favorite time of day, so why should the food be so horrible?

Most students look forward to lunch time each day, but not because of the food.

Core Lesson How do I describe my topic and present the major reasons for my

argument? The food is not tasty

There are not options

The food is not healthy

The food served at school does not taste good.

The menu in the cafeteria does not offer options to

hungry students.

The food served in the cafeteria is rarely healthy.

Core Lesson

School lunches need to be improved.

There is no doubt that school lunches need to be improved.

Can I rewrite my thesis to improve the argument?

Strengthened Claim

Core Lesson Does this paragraph clearly state what my argument is about?

Lunch time is usually a student’s favorite time of day, so why should the food be so horrible? The food served at school does not taste good. The menu in the cafeteria does not offer options to hungry students. The food served in the cafeteria is rarely healthy. There is no doubt that school lunches need to be improved.

Core Lesson

Grab the reader’s attention with a hook like an interesting fact, personal story, or a question.

1

2 Describe the topic and why its important by presenting the major ideas of the essay.

Write the thesis as the last sentence of your paragraph.3

In this lesson you learned how to write an introductory

paragraph to engage the reader in the topic by telling your reader why this issue

is important.

Guided Practice

Practice by using the information below and the structure provided to write your own introductory paragraph.

The food is not tastyThere are not optionsThe food is not healthy

School lunches need to be improved.1. Hook

2. Description

3. Thesis

Extension Activities

Extension ActivitiesOn your own, think about a time you really wanted to do something. Write an introductory paragraph that lays out your argument in a clear and concise way. Then, have a partner break it down to check that it effectively communicates the argument.

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

With a partner, find an op-ed article in the local paper. Read the first paragraph and break it down using the structure you learned for writing introductory paragraphs. Did the author effectively state his/her argument? Why or why not?

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

With a partner, draft an introductory paragraph for a topic you’d like to argue. Use the steps to develop a hook, reasons for your argument, and then a thesis. Together, decide if this paragraph clearly states your argument.

Let’s ReviewQuick Quiz

On your own, use your thesis and major supporting reasons for your argument to develop an introductory paragraph.