The Introductory Paragraph

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

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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.

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Sample Introductory Paragraph

• Animals are not property or things but
  rather living organisms, subjects of a life, who
  are worthy of our compassion, respect,
  friendship, and support.- Marc Bekoff, Minding
  Animals
• When one thinks of the way animals are used in
  science and medicine, it is evident that the
  majority of researchers dont agree with Bekoff,
  and use and abuse animals. Testing on live
  animals has been a common practice since 500 B.C.
  Even though this has resulted in benefits for
  humans, it is harmful to the animals themselves.
  Many are treated cruelly when other, more
  effective methods exist. Additionally, the
  results from animal experimentation may not even
  be reliable and/or accurate.
• (Thesis Statement) Animals should not be used for
  scientific or medical research because most
  specimens are treated cruelly, a large percentage
  of those used in experiments are not protected by
  government agencies, and alternative methods of
  testing now exist.

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An Introduction
A Closer Look
Lets look at that introduction again and see
how the sentences become more and more specific
leading to the thesis statement.
Animals are not property or things but rather
living organisms, subjects of a life, who are
worthy of our compassion, respect, friendship,
and support.- Marc Bekoff, Minding Animals When
one thinks of the way animals are used in science
and medicine, it is evident that the majority of
researchers dont agree with Bekoff, and use and
abuse animals.

hook and background statement (connecting hook
prompt)

Testing on live animals has been a common
practice since 500 B.C. Even though this has
resulted in benefits for humans, it is harmful to
the animals themselves. Many are treated cruelly
when other, more effective methods exist.
Additionally, the results from animal
experimentation may not even be reliable and/or
accurate.

More Specific Elaboration
Animals should not be used for scientific or
medical research because most specimens are
treated cruelly, a large percentage of those used
in experiments are not protected by government
agencies, and alternative methods of testing now
exist.
Very Specific Thesis Statement
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An Introduction
Hook the Readers Attention
In addition to stating the thesis and
providing some general information on your
subject, an introduction also needs to catch a
readers attention and cause him/her to become
interested in reading your essay. There are
several ways you can introduce your subject and
catch your readers attention.

• Write a description.
• Tell a story or personal anecdote.
• Ask a challenging question.
• Make a strong statement.
• Start with a quotation

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Story/Anecdote Hook

• The young teenagers entered the
  principals 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. Wed 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 officersare 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.

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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 dont 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 seniors
  prom can be both affordable and enjoyable.

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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.

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Quotation Hook
A well-known quotation from American
literature.

• American poet, Henry David Thoreau once
  wrote, Our life is frittered away by
  detailsimplify, 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 Thoreaus life carefully, we will find a
  number of ways to simplify our own lives, yet
  live richly.

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Now its 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. Then you should provide some
  background information on animal testing that
  includes both sides of the argument. You should,
  however, try to provide some hints to the reader
  about your position on animal testing. Remember
  to fully elaborate!!! (Use your prewrite sheet)
• Thesis Statement Add your thesis statement.
• .