the introductory paragraph. sets the tone for the entire paper “you had me at hello.” must grab...
TRANSCRIPT
The Introducto
ry Paragraph
The Introductory Paragraph
Sets the tone for the entire paper
“You had me at hello.”
Must grab the reader here!
If this was a trial, The Intro Paragraph
would be…
Your opening argument!
There are several
components that must be present
in the Intro Paragraph
1. Address your audience (remember your format)
2. Address the scenario/prompt
(go to the actual prompt)3. Introduce the subject4. Address the counter-
argument5. End in stating your
claim(thesis)
The outline for this paragraph
Breakit
down…
1. Address your audience You must the
correct format!
Let’s look at some and choose
the correct format….
Write a letter…Dear Mr. So-
and-soWrite an editorial…Dear Editor,Write an article on cats… Cat lovers
everywhere…Write a speech…Good Afternoon ____
Let’s take a look at the following prompt…
Writing SituationThe United States Postal Service has honored many individuals from American history, such as President George Washington, astronaut
Neil Armstrong, and animator Walt Disney, by placing their portraits (pictures) on postage
stamps. Imagine you had the task of selecting the next person from United States history to
be recognized on a stamp and the responsibility of explaining the reasons of your
choice to the public. Directions for Writing
Write an essay to the community explaining the person you would recognize and the
reasons you have for this choice. Help your audience to understand why this individual is
important and worthy of this honor by providing specific details and examples to
support your ideas.
• An essay.
What would be the format?
Who is the audience??
•The community?How would we address this audience??•My fellow community
members,
2. Address the scenario in the
“Writing Situation”What is the writing situation?
• Selecting the next person from United States
history to be recognized on a stamp and justifying
the choice.
Addressing the scenario…
How would we address this scenario?
Postage stamps have become an important
part of American culture recognizing significant contributors in history.
3. Introduce the subject
What is the subject?The person I want on a new
stamp.
For this example, we will use…
Harriet Tubman
Introducing the subject…How would we
introduce our subject?Abolitionist Harriet Tubman is
one of the most significant people in American History. Her contributions were invaluable to Abolitionist Movement and her story is inspiring to those
needing hope.
4. Address the Counter-ArgumentWhat is a counter-
argument?A contrasting or
opposing position.
4. Address the Counter-ArgumentWhat is the counter-
argument?Harriet Tubman
should not be on a postage stamp.
Addressing the counter-argument…
How would we address the counter-
argument?
Many people may think Harriet Tubman
is not significant enough to be featured on a postage stamp; however, this belief
cannot be further from the truth. In fact, her
impact has helped make America what it
is today.
5. End in a strong claim.What is a claim?
The writer’s position on the
topic.What do we mean by strong?The claim must be
powerful!?Must be clear!
Must be 1-sided!
Ending in a strong claim…
How would we end in a strong claim?
Therefore, we need to have Harriet Tubman on
our next postage stamp to recognize and honor her contributions to America.
Now…Let’s
put it alltogether…
My fellow community members,
Postage stamps have become an important part of American culture recognizing significant contributors in history. Abolitionist Harriet Tubman is one of the most significant people in American History. Her contributions were invaluable to Abolitionist Movement and her story is inspiring to those needing hope. Many people may think Harriet Tubman is not significant enough to be featured on a postage stamp; however, this belief cannot be further from the truth. In fact, her impact has helped make America what it is today. Therefore, we need to have Harriet Tubman on our next postage stamp to recognize and honor her contributions to America.
Do we have everything we
need?...All the
components?
My fellow community members,(1)
(2) Postage stamps have become an important part of American culture recognizing significant contributors in history.
(3)Abolitionist Harriet Tubman is one of the most significant people in American History. Her contributions were invaluable to the Abolitionist Movement and her story is inspiring to those needing hope.
(4)Many people may think Harriet Tubman is not significant enough to be featured on a postage stamp; however, this belief cannot be further from the truth. In fact, her impact has helped make America what it is today.
(5) Therefore, we need to have Harriet Tubman on our next postage stamp to recognize and honor her contributions to America.
Remember!• Do not
• use “you”• use contractions• use questions• use slang
• say “I think/I believe”• introduce a new idea
• Do:• use strong vocab• check diction for
appropriateness
Forbidden Wordsa lot very nice good
beautiful bad thing pretty
wonderful terrible reallyfine
just you
I think I know I believe