The Introductory Paragraph

1
The Introductory Paragraph

• The Hook
• The Topic
• The Thesis

2
The Hook

• This sentence or sentences is at the very
  beginning of the introductory paragraph. Its job
  is to grab the readers attention.
• There are different types of hooks

3
Anecdote

• Definition
• A short, interesting or amusing story. It must be
  very quick and to the point, only a few sentences
  long.
• Example
• Sally is a home school student who got to do the
  best activities to study science. She went to the
  Space and Air Museum, built a rocket and
  interviewed a pilot. She loves to be in home
  school.
• (the essay prompt is Why is home school a good
  choice for your education?)

4
Conversation

• Definition
• A quick exchange between two people.
• Example
• Where do you go to school? a boy asked his
  friend. I am in home school and it is awesome!
  replied the boys friend.

5
Fact or Statistic

• Definition
• Interesting information that supports your
  opinion in the essay. Be sure that it is
  accurate!
• Example-
• There were 1.1 million homeschool students in the
  US in 2003 according to the National Center for
  Education Statistics.

6
A Quotation

• Definition
• A phrase said by someone else (usually a famous
  person or an expert) in support of your position.
• Example
• George Santayana, a philosopher, and poet said,
  A child educated only at school is an uneducated
  child.

7
Exaggerated Information

• Definition
• A statement that is overstated for effect.
• Example
• Homeschool is by far the best schooling option
  for everyone. If you are not in homeschool you
  will not learn anything!

8
A Question

• Example
• Have you ever wanted to be in charge of your own
  education?

9
A few pointers

• The hook must relate to the essay topic
• The hook should lead into the topic statement
  smoothly
• For example In the fact or statistic example
  the fact leads directly to the sentence where you
  tell what your essay is about
• There were 1.1 million homeschool students in the
  US in 2003 according to the National Center for
  Education Statistics. Homeschooling is something
  that many students are choosing to do to better
  their education.

10
The Topic

• After the hook write about the topic of your
  essay what are you going to be writing about?

11
Rainbow Sentence

• Before your thesis statement, write your rainbow
  sentence. In the persuasive essay these will be
  the three reasons that support your thesis.
• Example
• In a homeschool environment students learn at
  their own pace, can learn about interesting
  topics, and can go to many different places to
  learn.

12
Thesis Statement

• Definition
• A thesis statement tells what your position on
  the topic is.
• Example
• Homeschooling is the best choice for your childs
  education.

13
Overview

• Hook (either an anecdote, conversation, fact,
  statistic, quotation, exaggerated information,
  question)
• Topic Sentence (tell what the topic is)
• Rainbow Sentence (reasons that support your
  thesis)
• Thesis Statement (tell your position on the
  topic)