Introduction to Argumentative

Argumentative Introduction

The 4 steps

4 things that must be in your introduction paragraph

• Hook (gets the reader's attention)

• Background information (defines the topic for the reader)

• Counterclaim (tells the reader what the other side would say)

• Thesis (outlines your 3 reasons/topics for the reader)

1) Hook

• This is what grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to read your paper.

• Create a rhetorical question (if you ask a question, though, you need to answer it)

• You can reword the topic question to form a sentence

2) Background information

• Tells the reader about the topic (defines it)

• Helps the reader understand where the argument is coming from

• Needs to break it down like the reader has never heard of your topic before

3) Counterclaim

• Tells the reader the other side's position on the argument

• Is the opposite of your claim

• Should only be 1 or 2 sentences long

• Transition into it must help the reader understand it is not your side of the argument

4) Thesis

• Tells the reader what your side of the argument is

• Gives the 3 reasons that will become your three body paragraphs

• Last sentence of the introduction

Multiple Choice

What does the background sentence do?

• tells the reader your side

• tells the reader the other side

• defines the topic

• grabs the reader's attention

Multiple Choice

What does the thesis do?

• tells the reader your side

• tells the reader the other side

• defines the topic

• grabs the reader's attention

Multiple Choice

What does the hook do?

• tell the reader your side

• tell the reader the other side

• defines the topic

• grabs the reader's attention

Multiple Choice

What does the counterclaim sentence do?

• tells the reader your side

• tells the reader the other side

• defines the topic

• grabs the reader's attention

Multiple Choice

What is the last sentence of the intro paragraph?

• Hook

• Thesis

• Counter agrument

• Background information