Introductions Paragraphs

Introduction Paragraph - Writing Bootcamp

Why is the Introduction SO important?

The Introduction paragraph (or Intro) is important because it sets the tone for the entire essay. In the intro you introduce readers to the essay topic, your main points/reasons and even a bit of background information.

Elements of an Introduction

• Hook: An attention grabber. Typical hooks are questions, facts, anecdotes, or famous quotes. The hook must be relevant to the topic and point of the essay.

• Bridge/Background information: The bridge builds on the hook and connects it to the thesis. May offer some background information about the topic.

• Thesis: the central idea of your essay. The thesis should answer the question of the prompt.

• Ideas to develop: The ideas to develop support the thesis and will be expanded upon in the body paragraphs. (These are your main points/reasons)

• Wrap-up: Signals the end of the introductory paragraph and transitions to the body paragraphs.

Hook

• Remember, this is how you grab your readers attention and HOOK them! Here's some examples of essay hooks.

• How many of you have a hard time balancing school, working, family and personal time?

• Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs. These are all great inventors and innovators that have had an enormous effect on everyone living in the world today.

• The famous Roman philosopher Ovid once said "We can learn, even from our enemies."

• In 2011, at least 23% of auto collisions involved cell phones; that's 1.3 million car crashes.

Poll

Which one of these is an example of a STRONG hook?

Prompt: Explain how your generation is similar to previous generations.

• I think that my generation is the best generation that their has ever

  been.

• Which generation do you belong to? I'm a part of Generation Z. Generation Z, Millennials, and Gen X have some stuff in common.

• Generation Z is similar to Milinneals and Gen X because they all have entrepreneurial drive.

• Generation Z has TikTok, the Millennials had Brittney Spears, and Gen X birthed the first Star Wars film. While each generation was different, some things remained the same.

Creating a Thesis Statement

• A thesis is a sentence that let the reader know what you will write about and it helps you to stay organized while writing.

• This is also the MOST IMPORTANT sentence in your entire essay!

• 
  

  Steps to Creating a Thesis Statement

• Turn the prompt into a question

• Restate/answer the question.

• Include 2-3 main points/reasons to support your “answer” (these are the main points you will elaborate on)

Need an example, No problem!

Prompt: Write an article to the schools newspaper explaining how your generation is similar to m previous generations.

Prompt Question: How is Generation Z similar to Gen X and Milinneals?

Thesis: Generation Z is similar to Gen X and the Millennials because they all are driven by economic success and share common life experiences.

More Examples of Thesis Statements

Prompt: Write an article for the schools website to inform the student body of the dangers of driving while distracted.

- Prompt Question: What are some of the dangers of driving while distracted?

- Thesis: Some of the dangers of driving while distracted are injuries and fatalities

Prompt: Write an explanatory essay on why it is important to recycle.

- Prompt Question: Why is it important to recycle?

- Thesis: It is important to recycle because it conserves energy and reduces air pollution.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of a thesis statement?

• Tell the reader your main points/reasons

• Get the readers attention

• Offers evidence for reasons

• All of the above

Multiple Select

Which of these are examples of hooks?

• Anedotes

• Paraphrase

• Facts

• Questions

• Quotes

Multiple Choice

The bridge/background information is there to...

• Give details about your main points/reasons.

• Help your reader become interested in the topic

• Give some information on the topic and connect your hook to the thesis.

• Wrap up the intro paragraph

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct structure for an intro paragraph?

• Hook, thesis, ideas to develop, bridge/background info, wrap-up

• Hook, Ideas to develop, thesis, background information, wrap-up

• Prompt question, thesis, bridge/background info, wrap-up

• Hook, bridge/background info, thesis, ideas to develop, wrap-up