Introductory Paragraph

1. Introductory Paragraph • First impressions are so important. How many times have you heard that? It is true that the first impression—whether it’s a first meeting with a person or the first sentence of a paper—sets the stage for a lasting opinion. • The INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that captures the interest of your readers. • In a typical essay, that first sentence leads into two or three sentences that provide details about your subject or your process. All of these sentences buildup to your THESIS STATEMENT.

2. Hook Your First Sentence To get your paper off to a great start, you should try to have a first sentence that engages your reader. Think of your first sentence as a HOOK that draws your reader in. It is your big chance to be so clever that your reader can’t stop. • As you researched your topic, you probably discovered many interesting anecdotes, quotes, or trivial facts. This is exactly the sort of thing you should use for an engaging introduction. • Consider these next ideas for creating a strong beginning.

3. Surprising Fact • Surprising fact:The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary.The famous government building was constructed in the 1940s, when segregation laws required that separate bathrooms be installed for people of African descent. This building isn’t the only American icon that harkens back to this embarrassing and hurtful time in our history. Across the United States there are many examples of leftover laws and customs that reflect the racism that once permeated American society.

4. Curiosity Curiosity:A duck’s quack doesn’t echo. Some people might find a deep and mysterious meaning in this fact … Surprising statement:A surprising statement is a favorite introductory technique of professional writers. There are many ways a statement can surprise a reader. Sometimes the statement is surprising because it is disgusting. Sometimes it is joyful. Sometimes it is shocking. Sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.

5. Humor Humor:When my older brother substituted fresh eggs for our hard-boiled Easter eggs, he didn’t realize our father would take the first crack at hiding them.My brother’s holiday ended early that particular day in 1991, but the rest of the family enjoyed the warm April weather, outside on the lawn, until late into the evening. Perhaps it was the warmth of the day and the joy of eating Easter roast while Tommy contemplated his actions that make my memories of Easter so sweet. Whatever the true reason, the fact is that my favorite holiday of the year is Easter Sunday.

6. Quote • Quotation: Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.”In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nation’s first female Speaker of the House, one woman’s voice rang out clear. With this development, democracy grew to its truest level ever in terms of women’s equality. The historical event also paved the way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal chords in preparation for a presidential race.

7. Definition Definition:A homograph is a word with two or more pronunciations. Produce is one example …

8. Famous Person Famous person:People like to know what celebrities say and do. Dropping the name of a famous person at the beginning of a paper usually gets the reader's attention. It may be something that person said or something he or she did that can be presented as an interest grabber. You may just mention the famous person's name to get the reader's interest. The famous person may be dead or alive. The famous person may be a good person like the Pope, or he or she may be a bad person like John Wilkes Booth. Of course, bringing up this person's name must be relevant to the topic. Even though the statement or action may not be totally relevant, a clever writer can convince the reader that it is relevant.

9. Anecdote • Anecdote: Yesterday morning I watched as my older sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped onto the bus… • Anecdotal:An anecdote is a little story. Everyone loves to listen to stories. Begin a paper by relating a small story that leads into the topic of your paper. Your story should be a small episode, not a full blown story with characters and plot and setting. • Read some of the anecdotes in the Reader's Digest special sections such as "Life in These United States" to learn how to tell small but potent stories. If you do it right, your story will capture the reader's interest so that he or she will continue to read your paper. One caution: be sure that your story does not take over the paper. Remember, it is an introduction, not the paper.

10. 3 Parts • The introductory paragraph to a short essay usually attempts to do three things: • Introduce the topicwith some indication of its inherent interest or importance, and a clear definition of the boundaries of the subject area • Indicate the structure and/or content of the essay, often with the major sections of the essay or its structural principle clearly stated • State the thesis of the essay, preferably in a single, arguable statement with a clear main clause

11. Introductory Paragraph • Students should identify, or generally define, the topic. • The topic is a broad overview of what will be discussed in the essay. • Encourage students to visualize an inverted pyramid structure, where the paragraph begins very generally and gets more specific as it progresses.

12. Introductory Paragraph 1. You should get the reader's interest so that he or she will want to read more. 2. You should let the reader know what the writing is going to be about. The second task can be accomplished by a carefully crafted thesis statement.

13. Thesis Statement • When creating a thesis, you don't have to use colorful words like the ones that appear in famous quotes. But you should try to sum up a big idea or make a big claim in one sentence. • The thesis statement must assert your point, suggest your evidence, and structure your argument, all in one. This is necessary for a good reason. If you can summarize your paper in one sentence, you’re more likely to have a tightly-constructed, concise, and readable essay.

14. Example of Thesis statement Many old wives’ tales originated hundreds of years ago, yet some have been based on solid science and have led to real cures or medicines. In some types of essays, a thesis is a declarative sentence that takes a stance.

15. Your Turn Now, you try. Write your Introductory Paragraph. Use your notes from this PowerPoint.