Introductions to Argument Writing

Writing an Introduction for an Argumentative Essay

How do you think it went?

• Think about each of the three elements.

  • Hook

  • Background Info

  • Claim

• Was there one that was harder? Do you think there is an easier way?

​What went wrong

• Overthinking the assignment/Too long

• The claim was not clear.

• Background info goes before the claim.

• The hook needs to be different than the claim.

• No evidence in the introduction

• You might not agree with the prompt, but have to write it anyway.

​Overthinking/ Too Long

• This was just the introduction to the essay.

• Do not go in-depth with your explanation. ( That is for the body paragraphs)

• Your Introduction should be no more than 5 sentences.

Multiple Choice

What is the maximum number of sentences your introduction should be?

• 8 Sentences

• 10 Sentences

• 5 Sentences

• 2 Sentences

Dogs are better because they are active and run.

​Unclear Claim

Dogs are better than cats because they are more active and like to run around.

​Clear Claim

How to make a clear claim

Multiple Choice

Which Claim is more clear?

• Starbucks is better because of all their coffee offered.

• Starbucks is better than Dunkin because they offer more selections of coffee.

Background Information and Claim

• Your background information goes before your claim.

• Only a short reason should follow your claim.

• Your background info is not your reason.

• If you need to look up a piece of information you can ( Put it in your own words)

Multiple Choice

What is background info?

• Things you already know about the topic.

• The evidence used to prove your claim true.

• The thing jobs do to make sure you don't have a criminal background.

• Text based Evidence

Hook v.s. Claim

• Your claim and hook need to be different.

• Your hook is not the same as your claim.

• Do NOT phrase your claim as a question for your hook.

Multiple Choice

Does your hook have to be a question?

• No

• Yes

Multiple Select

Which hook is better?

• Did you know that dogs are better than cats?

• Did you know that dogs are active for 8 hours a day compared to cats for 4 hours?

• A dog's tail wags at a faster rate compared to a cats.

• Woof! Woof! A dog barks at a larger volume than a cat's meow.

Evidence does not belong in the Introduction

• Evidence does not belong in the introduction.

• DO NOT cite sources in your introduction.

• It is meant to introduce your topic.

• Your body paragraphs are meant to defend and argue.

Multiple Choice

What paragraph do you put evidence in?

• Conclusion

• Argumentative Essay does not need evidence

• Introduction

• Body Paragraphs

You may not agree

• You may disagree with the prompt.

• YOU STILL HAVE TO WRITE THE ESSAY

• Do not change the prompt or wording

Multiple Choice

Which Introduction is better?

• Did you know that fruit has many health benefits? Fruit can help your body's health. Fruit is better for you than vegetables because it has more benefits for your body.

• Fruit is better than vegetables because it is better for your body.

• Crunch! Biting into a tasty red apple is a great way to fuel my body. According to cdc.gov, fruit has more health benefits than vegetables

• Did you know that fruit is better for you than vegetables? This is because they have more nutrients than vegetables.