Intriguing Introductions

A guide to writing introduction paragraphs

You can think of the progression

of ideas in an introduction

paragraph as an upside down

triangle.

Your ideas should move/develop accordingly…

BROAD SPECIFIC

UNIVERSAL FOCUS ON THE TEXT

Basic Setup & Purpose0Your introduction paragraph is the first

paragraph of your essay. 

0You immediately want to grab your reader's attention with a sound attention getter.

0Then you want to inform your reader about what you are writing about and finish the paragraph with the argument of the paper—essentially, the thesis statement.

An effective introduction contains

three important components.

Part I: Attention Getter0This is written in 2-3 sentences.

0You grab your reader’s attention with a solid attention getter that should connect to the literature in some way.

0Do not begin your essay with “Did you know…” kinds of questions!

Part I: Types of Attention Getters0You may begin your essay with:

A quote from the novel (most popular choice)

A legitimate fact or statistic

A well-known quote from an outside source (thinkexist.com)

0The attention getter must connect to the literature no matter what!

Part II: Background Info. / Bridge0This is written in 2-3 sentences.

0Introduces the title of the work and the author before it’s mentioned again in the thesis statement.

0Provides a brief plot snippet – DO NOT re-tell the entire story. Assume your audience is familiar with the work of literature to some degree.

0Consider what the prompt is asking and try to explain elements of the story that relate to the prompt.

Part III: Thesis Statement0This is written in 1 sentence.

0This provides the argument and reveals three prongs to support the argument.

0You already know how to rock this!

Sample Introduction ParagraphAccording to Joseph Campbell, “a hero is someone

who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” In other words, a hero is someone that is selfless and believes in making many sacrifices. In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Katniss Everdeen must survive a televised death match against twenty-three other young people in order to return home and continue hunting to provide food for her family. Although Katniss Everdeen makes a number of reckless decisions in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, she is ultimately a heroine as evidenced through her rebellious spirit, her courageous actions, and her nurturing abilities.

For Friday, 10/260Take home your thesis + body paragraph

0Produce…0Complete introduction paragraph0Must be typed0ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE MLA Formatted0Worth 7 writing points