How to write an Introductory paragraph

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How to write an Introductory paragraph
One today is worth two tomorrows.
Ben Franklin
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When you write an introductory paragraph, keep
in mind that . . .

• 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 meat of the
  essay. Simply 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
• Must be at least 30 words long or three
  sentences minimum
• Needs to do these things
• Briefly introduce the topic
• Give background
• Cleary state your position

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Even though there are several ways to begin an
essay, I recommended that you choose one
particular method and perfect it. Why?
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Because if you keep using the same method, you
will . . .

• Become an expert in this particular method.
• Moreover, if you already know how you will begin
  your essay, you will be more prepared, relaxed,
  and confident.

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Let us consider different types of introductory
paragraphs . . .

• General statement introduction
• Surprising Statistics/Facts
• Statements of Problems or Thought-Provoking Ideas
• Question introduction
• Story introduction
• Quotation introduction

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Examples of general statement introduction

• Almost every time that you turn on the television
  you will find a number of shows which are
  extremely violent.
• Over seventy percent of high schools in the
  United States require students to wear uniforms.
• In the United States of America the public
  burning of our flag has become a common sight.

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Examples of question introduction

• Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence
  on prime time television?
• Should Facebook be allowed in school?
• Is Homework a realistic educational expectation?

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Story Introduction

• Last year I contracted conjunctivitis. Though
  forced to remain at home, I was still responsible
  for my school assignments. One assignment, a
  calculus problem, was particularly perplexing.
  After hours of staring at it, my mind was blank.
  Luckily, thats when I thought of logging onto
  Facebook. Through Facebook, I was able to instant
  message my teacher, who guided me through. I made
  an A.

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Quotation Introduction

• 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 less 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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In the next three slides you will view completed
introductory paragraphs.
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General statement introduction

• Today smoking is an issue which is on
  everybodys mind. The whole country is divided
  on this issue. Some people believe that smoking
  should be banned everywhere while others are not
  so harsh. However, I believe that tobacco
  should be outlawed because it pollutes the body
  and the environment.( 57)

Topic introduced
Lead in to thesis
Thesis sentence
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Interrogatory introduction

• What do you think about banning
  smoking? The whole country is divided on whether
  smoking should be banned. I firmly believe that
  smoking should be outlawed because it destroys
  the body and the environment. (41)

Topic introduced
Lead-in to thesis
Thesis sentence
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Quotation introduction

• In The Monitor it was recently stated
  that smoking is the greatest threat to our
  health. The whole country is divided on this
  issue. I believe that tobacco should be outlawed
  because it destroys the body and the environment.
  (49)

Topic introduced
Lead-in to thesis
Thesis sentence
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Story Introduction

• Last year my father died of lung cancer after
  twenty years of smoking and a three month
  diagnosis. He is not alone. In fact, over two
  million people a year die of lung cancer.
  Recently, because of its ill effects, cities have
  banned smoking in public. Some people want it
  banned entirely. I agree.

Lead-in to thesis
Topic introduced
Thesis sentence
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Final reminders !!!!

• Be concise and to the point!
• Do not go into too much detail!
• At least 30 words minimum!
• You must do three things . . .
• introduce topic
• give general background
• state position

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Cheaters

• On the GHSGT, you have all information to
  complete a decent introduction. Watch this
• Writing Situation
• When your grades began to fall, your parents said
  that you would have to quit your part-time job.
  Because you must make your own car payments, this
  decision means that you will not be able to keep
  your car. You are concerned that you will get
  upset if you try to talk to your parents.
  Instead, you decide to write them
• Directions for Writing
• Write your parents a letter in which you try to
  convince them that you should be given another
  chance to improve your grades without giving up
  your job and car. Make your argument clear,
  complete, and convincing

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• Dear Mom,
• I wanted to talk to you, but because I am
  upset, I thought it best to write. I know that
  you must be questioning whether or not I should
  be given another chance to improve my grades
  without giving up my car and job. Over the past
  few months, my grades have steadily dropped
  however, I would like to give you several reasons
  why I should be trusted to keep my job and car
  while improving my grades.

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• Writing Situation
• The issue of censoring or banning books has
  received much national attention. Recently,
  however, the controversy became a local issue
  when parents in your community objected to a book
  that their teenager had obtained from the high
  school library. The parents campaign to have the
  book removed permanently from the library has
  aroused mixed reactions from students, teachers
  and other parents. Decide how you feel about the
  issue of banning books.
• Directions for Writing
• Write a letter to the editor of the school
  newspaper in which you either defend a parents
  right to have a book banned or oppose such a ban.
  Clearly state your position. Try to convince
  readers of the paper to agree with you by
  providing well-developed supporting arguments.

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• Dear Editor,
• Last week several parents campaigned to have
  several books from our media center removed
  because they found the content objectionable. And
  while I agree that parents should have the right
  to decide what is appropriate for their child, I
  do not agree that they should be allowed to make
  that decision for everyone elses children.
  Censorship, or banning books, should not be
  permitted.