Writing an Introductory Paragraph

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Writing an Introductory Paragraph

• Modified from PowerPoint by Jose Gonzalez

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Keep In Mind

• Writing an introductory paragraph is like
  greeting someone. The paragraph should be short
  and to the point like saying, Hello.
• Also, you dont want to get into the details of
  the essay. Give the audience a concise idea of
  your essays purpose.

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Remember that the introductory paragraph

• Is the most important paragraph of the essay
• Should be at least 3 sentences long
• Needs to accomplish 3 things
• Briefly introduce the topic
• Clearly state your position
• Provide 3 reasons

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• Even though there are several ways to begin an
  essay, you might consider selecting one
  particular method and perfect it.
• This sill allow you to become an expert in that
  method. It will also allow you to be comfortable
  when you have to begin writing a paper.

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3 Ways to Begin and Introductory Paragraph

• General Statement
• Question
• Quotation

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Examples of General Statements

• Almost every time you turn on the television, you
  will find a number of shows which are extremely
  violent.
• Many public schools have decided that their
  students should use uniforms.
• In the United States of America, the public
  burning of our flag has become a common site.
• NOTICETHIS STATEMENT DOES NOT STATE YOUR
  POSITION YET.

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Examples of Questions

• Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence
  on prime time television?
• Do you think that to improve our public school
  education the students should be required to wear
  uniforms?
• Should we allow citizens to burn the United
  States flag in public?

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Examples of Quotations

• A recent article in Time magazine states that the
  viewing of extremely violent television shows is
  the number one cause of violence in our inner
  cities.
• The Monitor recently conducted a study and
  concluded that students in public schools where
  uniforms are mandatory have fewer problems and
  perform better academically.
• A recent article in The Austin Statesman states
  that most Americans are very much against flag
  burning in public and are in favor of passing a
  law banning this activity.

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Examples of Introductory Paragraph Using a
General Statement

• Today smoking is an issue which is on
  everybodys mind. The whole country is divided
  on this issue. Some people believe that there
  should be no limitations placed on smoking.
  Others have differing opinions. Tobacco should
  be outlawed because smoking endangers everyones
  health, pollutes the environment, and drains us
  of valuable energy.

• Topic Introduced
• Lead-in to Thesis
• Thesis Statement

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Example of Introductory Paragraph Using a Question

• Topic Introduced
• Lead-in to Thesis
• Thesis Statement

What do you think about banning smoking? The
whole country is divided on this issue. Some
people believe that there should be no
limitations placed on smoking. Others have
differing opinions. Tobacco should be outlawed
because smoking endangers everyones health,
pollutes the environment, and drains us of
valuable energy.
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Example of Introductory Paragraph Using a
Quotation

• In The Monitor it was recently stated
  that smoking is the greatest threat to our
  health. The whole country is divided on this
  issue. Some people believe that there should be
  no limitations placed on smoking. Others have
  differing opinions. Tobacco should be outlawed
  because smoking endangers everyones health,
  pollutes the environment, and drains us of
  valuable energy.

• Topic Introduced
• Lead-in to Thesis
• Thesis Statement

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Final Reminders

• Be concise and to the point!
• Do not go into too much detail!
• You must do three things
• Introduce topic
• State position
• Provide 3 reasons