The Introductory The Introductory ParagraphParagraph

“ “ How do I write it?” How do I write it?”

The Way an Essay LooksThe Way an Essay Looks

There are five parts to a There are five parts to a standard essay:standard essay:

IntroductionIntroductionBody Paragraph 1Body Paragraph 1Body Paragraph 2Body Paragraph 2Body Paragraph 3Body Paragraph 3ConclusionConclusion

The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph

Before you write, ask yourself Before you write, ask yourself these 2 questions…these 2 questions…

What is your stance on the What is your stance on the debatable topic?debatable topic?

Are you for or against?Are you for or against?

Who will read your writing? Who will read your writing? What do you know about your audience? What do you know about your audience?

Geographics, race, culture, beliefs, etc…Geographics, race, culture, beliefs, etc…

The Introductory Paragraph The Introductory Paragraph has 2 main parts…has 2 main parts…

The GrabberThe Grabber The ThesisThe Thesis

But it also has a small part…But it also has a small part…

The filler sentences!The filler sentences!

The Grabber!The Grabber! There are many ways to write a There are many ways to write a

topic sentence, but lettopic sentence, but let’’s focus s focus on three!on three!

Asking a question… and Asking a question… and providing the answer!providing the answer!

Using an anecdote (short Using an anecdote (short story)story)

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement(claim) is a A thesis statement(claim) is a statement that tells the main idea of statement that tells the main idea of your paper to the readeryour paper to the reader

Your thesis(claim) tells the reader Your thesis(claim) tells the reader what point you are going to make what point you are going to make about your topic.about your topic.

Usually, the thesis statement is Usually, the thesis statement is found at the found at the end of the first end of the first paragraphparagraph in an essay in an essay

Why must thesis statements have Why must thesis statements have 33 points?!points?!

The thesis must have The thesis must have 33 main points because main points because those those 33 points become points become the the 33 body paragraphsbody paragraphs of of your essayyour essay

A good way to write a thesis A good way to write a thesis is…is…

Two parts of a thesis:Two parts of a thesis:1.1. ClaimClaim2.2. Thesis PhraseThesis Phrase

Students should not be forced to go Students should not be forced to go to a segregated schoolto a segregated school ….because ….because 1__________, 1__________, 2_________, 2_________, and and 3____________. 3____________.

What are filler sentences?What are filler sentences? Filler sentences are sentences that Filler sentences are sentences that

connect your connect your ““grabbergrabber”” to your to your thesis statement. thesis statement.

Usually, there are 2-3 filler Usually, there are 2-3 filler sentences.sentences.

They move the reader from the They move the reader from the instant instant ““grabbergrabber”” to the main point to the main point in the thesisin the thesis

Why are they important?Why are they important?

Filler sentences are about the topic Filler sentences are about the topic youyou’’re writing aboutre writing about

Restating the question…Restating the question…QuoteQuoteFacts/Statistics/HistoryFacts/Statistics/HistoryCounter-argumentCounter-argument

They provide a transition from They provide a transition from the excitement of the grabber to the excitement of the grabber to the seriousness of the thesis the seriousness of the thesis statement.statement.

So an introductory paragraph So an introductory paragraph looks like this:looks like this:

________ Grabber!________ Grabber!

__________ __________ Filler Filler SentencesSentences

_______ Thesis Statement_______ Thesis Statement

The COMPLETE IntroThe COMPLETE Intro Grabber/attention getterGrabber/attention getter

Counter-pointCounter-point QuoteQuote FactsFacts

Thesis Thesis

(Claim + three reasons)(Claim + three reasons)

The Hook (The Grabber)The Hook (The Grabber)To catch the reader, use a hook in the To catch the reader, use a hook in the

introductory paragraphintroductory paragraph..

Ask the reader a question.Ask the reader a question.

Use a catchy phrase or quote.Use a catchy phrase or quote.

Create an anecdote Create an anecdote

Make an exclamatory sentence.Make an exclamatory sentence.

Use a lead in sentence thatUse a lead in sentence that entices entices the reader to read on.the reader to read on.

Sample hooksSample hooks Did you know that Buddhism is one of the most peaceful Did you know that Buddhism is one of the most peaceful

philosophies in the world? philosophies in the world? How many times you walked around the empire and saw this How many times you walked around the empire and saw this

picture: graffiti and trash everywhere, young people talk back picture: graffiti and trash everywhere, young people talk back to adults, younger siblings refuse to listen to the older siblings.to adults, younger siblings refuse to listen to the older siblings.

It breaks my heart to see that some people only care about It breaks my heart to see that some people only care about material things in their lives. The more they have the more material things in their lives. The more they have the more things they actually want.things they actually want.

Do you want to see your empire organized, and loyal? Then Do you want to see your empire organized, and loyal? Then you should think of adopting …….! you should think of adopting …….!

Recently, I was thinking about balance in my life ….Recently, I was thinking about balance in my life …. Did you know that each and everyone of us will suffer during Did you know that each and everyone of us will suffer during

our lifetime ?our lifetime ? Meditation, yoga, and peace. What should be better than that? Meditation, yoga, and peace. What should be better than that?

It has come to my attention that you are looking for a great philosophy to adopt for China. Some people think that Taoism is a great philosophy because it provides balance. Others prefer Buddhism because they think it will help them to reach happiness. I believe you should look no further and adopt Confucianism. Confucianism began in 4th century and is based on the ideas and teaching of a famous teacher and philosopher Kung- Fu- Tzu. It is the oldest philosophy of China. It stresses the correct action of individuals towards the common goal of the society. There are more than 6 million followers of Confucianism in the world today. Confucianism should be adopted as a state religion because it teaches young people to respect elder generation, values education, and provides social order in the society

You try! Find the Grabber, the You try! Find the Grabber, the Filler, and the Thesis Statement!Filler, and the Thesis Statement! It has come to my attention that you are looking for a It has come to my attention that you are looking for a

great philosophy to adopt for China. Some people think great philosophy to adopt for China. Some people think that Taoism is a great philosophy because it provides that Taoism is a great philosophy because it provides balance. Others prefer Buddhism because they think it balance. Others prefer Buddhism because they think it will help them to reach happiness. I believe you should will help them to reach happiness. I believe you should look no further and adopt Confucianism. Confucianism look no further and adopt Confucianism. Confucianism began in 4began in 4thth century and is based on the ideas and century and is based on the ideas and teaching of a famous teacher and philosopher Kung- Fu- teaching of a famous teacher and philosopher Kung- Fu- Tzu. It is the oldest philosophy of China. It stresses the Tzu. It is the oldest philosophy of China. It stresses the correct action of individuals towards the common goal correct action of individuals towards the common goal of the society. There are more than 6 million followers of of the society. There are more than 6 million followers of Confucianism in the world today. Confucianism should Confucianism in the world today. Confucianism should be adopted as a state religion because it teaches young be adopted as a state religion because it teaches young people to respect elder generation, values education, people to respect elder generation, values education, and provides social order in the societyand provides social order in the society

Did it look like this?!Did it look like this?! It has come to my attention that you are looking for a great It has come to my attention that you are looking for a great

philosophy to adopt for Chinaphilosophy to adopt for China. . Some people think that Some people think that Taoism is a great philosophy because it provides balance. Taoism is a great philosophy because it provides balance. Others prefer Buddhism because they think it will help them Others prefer Buddhism because they think it will help them to reach happiness. I believe you should look no further and to reach happiness. I believe you should look no further and adopt Confucianism. Confucianism began in 4adopt Confucianism. Confucianism began in 4 thth century and century and is based on the ideas and teaching of a famous teacher and is based on the ideas and teaching of a famous teacher and philosopher Kung- Fu- Tzu. It is the oldest philosophy of philosopher Kung- Fu- Tzu. It is the oldest philosophy of China. It stresses the correct action of individuals towards China. It stresses the correct action of individuals towards the common goal of the society. There are more than 6 the common goal of the society. There are more than 6 million followers of Confucianism in the world today. million followers of Confucianism in the world today. Confucianism should be adopted as a state religion Confucianism should be adopted as a state religion because it teaches young people to respect elder because it teaches young people to respect elder generation, values education, and provides social order generation, values education, and provides social order in the societyin the society

Think about it and Write!Think about it and Write! Grabber/Attention getterGrabber/Attention getter

Counter-pointCounter-point QuoteQuote FactsFacts

Thesis Thesis

(Claim + three reasons(Claim + three reasons