How to Write a Great Introductory Paragraph

Step 1:

The First Sentence

The Hook• How many of you listen to music?• An A&R representative was responsible

for signing that artist to a record label.• The artist had to capture the rep’s

attention within one minute.• The hook is usually the most memorable

part of the song.• It’s the part that the audience

remembers• The audience decides within one minute

of the song

First impressions are the most importantYour first sentence determines whether the reader will continue reading!

Grab your audience’s attention! How?

1) Try starting with a surprising fact!- The Pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary.

The famous government building was constructed in the 1940s, when segregation laws required that separate bathrooms be installed for people of African descent. This building isn’t the only American icon that harkens back to this embarrassing and hurtful time in our history.

2) Try using Humor!

When my older brother substituted fresh eggs for our hard-boiled Easter eggs, he didn’t realize our father would take the first crack at hiding them. My brother’s holiday ended early that particular day in 1991, but the rest of the family enjoyed the warm April weather, outside on the lawn, until late into the evening. Perhaps it was the warmth of the day and the joy of eating Easter roast while Tommy contemplated his actions that make my memories of Easter so sweet. Whatever the true reason, the fact is that my favorite holiday of the year is Easter Sunday.

3) Try using a Quotation!

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Become the change you wish to see in the world.” That’s exactly what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did. Instead of resorting to violent ways of transforming the nation to establish equality, Dr. King preached civil disobedience which, in effect, proved much more successful than any riots or assault.

4) Try using a Definition!

A metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is abound with metaphors that …

5) Try using an Anecdote (story)!Yesterday morning I watched as my older sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped onto the bus …

Recap:1) Why do you need a great 1st sentence?

2) What are some ways to spice up yourintroduction?

1)A surprising fact2) Humor3)A Quotation4)A Definition5)An Anecdote

Your task now:• Write an introductory paragraph about how you

feel about your controversial subject.

• You must use one of the five tips mentioned (use the article):

• Be sure to inform your reader about what has happened! Do not assume that they know what you’re talking about!

1) A Surprising Fact2) Humor 3) A Quotation4) A Definition5) An Anecdote

Step 2:Writing The Thesis Statement for an Argumentative Paper

An Argumentative Paper

• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence.

• The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation.

• The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

The Thesis Statement…• Is usually a sentence (sometimes

two) that brings the reader’s focus to the points you want to discuss.

• Intro Paragraph is Like a Funnel!

After you’ve written a great intro…

• Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

• The thesis statement usually appears at the end

of the first paragraph of a paper. • Your topic may change as you write, so you may

need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

A Standard Thesis Statement for a Five Paragraph Essay

Thesis Formula:Sentence beginning + [Point 1], [Point 2], and

[Point 3].

• Example:The bear problem in New Jersey contributes to

the state being overcrowded, unsafe, and unnecessarily expensive.

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

• The paper that follows should:– present an argument and give evidence to

support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Introductory Paragraph Formula

• First Sentences (Hook) using a Fact, Humor, Quotation, Definition, or Anecdote

• Paraphrasing the writing prompt and your attitude toward it (without using I think…)

• Finishing with a thesis statement

• Minimum 7 sentences

Introductory Paragraph Requirements

• MUST BE TYPED• Include ONE of the five tips for a first

sentence. 10 pts • Must be at least 7 sentences. 10 pts • MUST include an underlined thesis statement.

5pts • (25pt Test grade)