Introduction Strategies

1. Introduction Strategies

2. Anecdote/Scenario The car was speeding down the road. Inside, the baby was screaming, the mother was crying, the boy was frozen in fear, and the father’s grip on the steering wheel was as taut as the muscles in his face and neck. Begin with a short story or a description of an event, real or imagined, designed to hook your reader and create a mental image. An introduction like this could work for a lot of different pieces. Maybe you’re writing a paper on reckless driving … or maybe a paper arguing for better medical services in remote areas so families don’t have to drive like mad to reach medical care.

3. Quotation(s) or Dialogue Using a quotation or dialogue can help provoke thought. Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is. Benjamin Franklin “No! I don’t want to go to school!” “I know you’re tired and want to stay home and relax but I need to go to work and your job is to go to school.” “I don’t care! I don’t want to go!” The quote above or this dialogue may help activate prior knowledge in your reader, meaning, it may help him/her connect with a personal experience – a time he/she either felt ashamed over not having enough money or had, heard, or wanted to have a similar conversation.

4. Brief History When he ran for president he stated he wanted to establish a better US treasury system, reduce tariffs, secure the Oregon Territory for the US, and obtain control of California and New Mexico. He promised he would serve one term and accomplish all these goals during that term. James Polk did exactly what he said he was going to do which is why he was one of the best president’s the United states ever had.

5. 5 W’s • As drug-related violence has exploded, the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico has grabbed the most headlines over the years. But a government report earlier this month gave a new picture of the unpatrolled border up north. (Taken from the Tacoma News Tribune) For examples of the 5 W’s – look at news stories:

6. Startling Statement Anger. Seething, screaming, burning, anger. In the next 15-20 minutes you will start to feel angry – or at least you should – after you’ve learned of the atrocities I’m about to share with you. OR The FDA tests only about 1% of food imports. About 15% of what is eaten in the US is imported. This means that a good portion of the seafood and some fruits and veggies making their way to the table haven't been inspected for quality or safety.

7. Vivid Description Rich, gooey, warm fudge flowing over large, cold, creamy scoop of French Vanilla ice cream nestled on top of a thick, chewy, chocolaty brownie cooked perfectly to the point it has a slightly crisp sugary glaze outside while still moist on the inside.

8. Question (Cause & Effect ONLY) • Have you ever…? • Remember – use this only when writing a cause and effect paper. “If this…then this…” • When you start with a question, your reader is going to spend the rest of his/her time looking for the answer. Your paper better be well organized, logical and focused. Otherwise, your reader is going to be VERY frustrated.

9. Take a Stand (Persuasive) • No human should have to live in… Fear? Poverty? Slavery? Or whatever else you are passionate about and can convince your reader to “take a stand.”

10. Recent Current Event Over 100 people have been killed, many more have been wounded, in the 2011 riots in Egypt. Why are people rioting? They want democracy. They want freedom of speech, fair food prices, a government free of corruption, and a livable wage. From this current event, you could write about any one of those topics and what people will do to get them.

11. Combination • Combination of two or more introduction strategies. What happens when basic human rights, human needs, human dignities are denied? How long will people allow their quality of life to be exploited? Cars exploding, young men throwing rocks and sticks at police, store windows shattering, and normally quiet, peaceful people lying in the street.