The Introductory Paragraph

1. The Paragraph that Hooks Your Reader The Introductory Paragraph Introduction --Read me!-----------------------

2. An Introduction Definition and Purpose An introduction is the first paragraph in your essay and contains the thesis statement. The main purposes of an introduction are to… • hook your reader’s attention so that he/she will become interested in reading your essay. • give your reader some general information (background statements) about your subject and present the focus of your essay (thesis statement).

3. An Introduction General Information and Focus • An introduction always includes some • background statements about your subject and • A thesis statement that announces the focus • of your essay. • The thesis statement is usually • the last sentence in the introduction because • it is the most specific. • Notice how the introduction below begins with general information and becomes more specific.

4. Sample Introductory Paragraph A “path with no obstacles” would certainly be most people’s dream come true. Imagine living life without any problems. Imagine finding success without having to face failure. Imagine what such a life would be. To me, this quote holds the truth of life. Of course, not having to run into mistakes would be a dream come true for me. But at the same time, it would also be my own dreadful loss. Obstacles, failures, mistakes, every single challenge one encounters happens for a reason. A “path with no obstacles” is not natural. (Thesis Statement) Whether a person is famous, wealthy, or a student in middle school, obstacles are necessary in everyone’s path in order to be successful.

5. An Introduction A Closer Look Let’s look at that introduction again and see how the sentences become more and more specific leading to the thesis statement. A “path with no obstacles” would certainly be most people’s dream come true. Imagine living life without any problems. Imagine finding success without having to face failure. Imagine what such a life would be. To me, this quote holds the truth of life. Of course, not having to run into mistakes would be a dream come true for me. Hook and Background Statements But at the same time, it would also be my own dreadful loss. Obstacles, failures, mistakes, every single challenge one encounters happens for a reason. A “path with no obstacles” is not natural. More Specific Whether a person is famous, wealthy, or a student in middle school, obstacles are necessary in everyone’s path in order to be successful. Very Specific: Thesis Statement

6. An Introduction Hook the Reader’s Attention In addition to stating the thesis and providing some general information on your subject, an introduction also needs to catch a reader’s attention and cause him/her to become interested in reading your essay. There are several ways you can introduce your subject and catch your reader’s attention. • Write a description. • Tell a story or personal anecdote. • Ask a challenging question. • Make a strong statement. • Start with a quotation

7. Story/Anecdote Hook The young teenagers entered the principal’s office and declared their grievances. “We should have an open campus,” said a junior. “Underclassmen should be allowed to go to the prom,” added a sophomore. “We’d at least like to be asked,” Jamie requested, “whenever the school board decided to make a new policy.” This type of scene is becoming familiar across the country as groups of students –often members of students councils or class officers—are participating in school management. (Thesis statement)In fact, many high school administrations are enjoying positive results when they join with students in managing their schools.

8. A Challenging Question Hook How can any senior afford going to a prom these days? Of course, the prom is a traditional event every spring, but the costs of renting a tux, buying a dress, and renting a limousine have made paying for it very difficult. Too many seniors just don’t have the necessary funds. This is a major concern for some kids, and a major headache for others. (Thesis statement)However, with long range planning and careful shopping any senior’s prom can be both affordable and enjoyable.

9. A Strong Statement Hook • Too many professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association act like spoiled brats. The NBA has become a home for many athletes who seem to care only about their contracts, their cars, and their jewelry. Of little concern to them are the management, their teammates, or the fans who pay, of course, for those high salaries and, in turn, expensive cars and jewelry. (Thesis)The executives of the NBA should establish stricter guidelines for the players’ behavior and actions on and off the court.

10. Quotation Hook A well-known quotation from American literature. American poet, Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “Our life is frittered away by detail…simplify, simplify!” These words of advice are difficult to follow in a society where a hectic pace of life is the norm and the attainment of material goods is encouraged. However, this philosophy of living simply has quite a bit of value. The difficulty of following this way of life is knowing where to begin. (Thesis statement) By examining Henry David Thoreau’s life carefully, we will find a number of ways to simplify our own lives, yet live richly.

11. Now it’s your turn… Directions: Now, write an introductory paragraph for your essay. Follow the steps below: • Attention Step: Write an hook using one of the types of introductory hooks introduced today • Background Statement: Here you will connect the hook to the prompt (quote). You should restate the quote and then discuss what the quote means to you and/or explain the general importance of quote. Remember to fully elaborate!!! (Use your prewrite sheet) • Thesis Statement: Add your thesis statement. .