Intro Paragraph Research Project

In an argumentative essay, the claim is the thesis. It’s the

argument you are making.

Take a solid position on the topic.

Every sentence in the essay should…..

The thesis statement should be the….

Thesis statements should be….

Thesis statements should not contain first or second person

pronouns (I, you, me, etc.)

Read the following slide word for word

Who is the most influential
person in the last 40 years?
Write a well-structured
essay using current
research to persuade
others that this person is
the the most influential
person in the last 40 years.

PROMPT

Writing a Thesis Statement

Write a thesis statement to ANSWER the prompt.
EXAMPLES:

-

JK Rowling is one of the most influential people in the last forty
years because of her many awards, advocacy for literacy, and
inspiration for writers.

-

Her determination, awards, and inspiration to others make JK
Rowling one of the most influential people in the last forty years.

-

Bravery, kindness, and fame have all made Ellen DeGeneres one
of the most influential people in the last forty years.

8

Begin with a hook that will grab the

audience’s attention.

Hooks need to be interesting, surprising,

concise, and relevant.

Attention getters are usually between 1 and 3

sentences.

Multiple Select

What type of hook:

$126.5 billion dollars a year is equal to almost $350 million dollars every day. That's the net worth of influential icon, Jeff Bezos.

• Memorable quote

• Short Story or anecdote

• Interesting fact

• Background information

Multiple Select

What type of hook:

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

• Memorable quote

• Short Story or anecdote

• Interesting fact

• Background information

Multiple Select

What type of hook:

Dubbed the "Queen of All Media," this woman was the richest African-American of the 20th century and was once the world's only black billionaire.

• Memorable quote

• Short Story or anecdote

• Interesting fact

• Background information

Follow the hook with background information.

The bridge connects the ideas in the hook to the

idea in the thesis statement.

Bridges provide context but not evidence.

The bridge is the writer’s opportunity to shape
the reader’s view in preparation for the thesis

statement.

EXAMPLE INTRODUCTION

Picture this: a new, crisp twenty dollar bill. In the United States, this
piece of paper is one of the most widely utilized types of actual
currency. Recently, there has been a debate over whose image
should be celebrated on this document, and scholars agreed that
Harriet Tubman fits the bill. However, some critics have argued that
Harriet Tubman is not as worthy of this honor. Harriet Tubman is a
legend because of her perseverance, integrity, and
humanitarianism.
Question: What type of hook do you think is being used?

FIND THE BRIDGE

Picture this: a new, crisp twenty dollar bill. In the United States, this
piece of paper is one of the most widely utilized types of actual
currency. Recently, there has been a debate over whose image
should be celebrated on this document, and scholars agreed that
Harriet Tubman fits the bill. However, some critics have argued that
Harriet Tubman is not as worthy of this honor. Harriet Tubman is a
legend because of her perseverance, integrity, and
humanitarianism.
Question: What type of hook do you think is being used?

EXAMPLE INTRODUCTION

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” This
quote by Abraham Lincoln emphasizes his belief in the
power that we have to create change. Throughout his
life, Lincoln paved the way for America, and created
opportunity for many. Abraham Lincoln is the most
influential person in history because of his drive, success,
and lasting impact.

Question: What type of hook do you think is being used?

FIND THE BRIDGE

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” This
quote by Abraham Lincoln emphasizes his belief in the
power that we have to create change. Throughout his
life, Lincoln paved the way for America, and created
opportunity for many. Abraham Lincoln is the most
influential person in history because of his drive, success,
and lasting impact.

Question: What type of hook do you think is being used?

REVIEW--INTRODUCTION: 3 PARTS

Hook: Something to grab our attention,
Background/Bridge: General info about your person that
everyone should know OR something that connects your
hook to your thesis.
Thesis: A sentence that tells what you’re going to be talking
about.
____________ is a legend because of Body Paragraph 1,
Body Paragraph 2, Body Paragraph 3.

Multiple Choice

An intro paragraph includes three things:

• Thesis, bridge, opinion

• Thesis, opinion, hook

• Opinion, hook, bridge

• Hook, bridge, thesis