Informative Essay Introductions

The purpose of the introduction paragraph is to _______.

• grab the attention of the reader

• provide background information on the topic

• establish the importance of the topic

• state your thesis

• all of the above

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.W.8.2A

A "hook" is used to ___________.

• grab the reader's attention

• explain the topic

• argue your claim

• wrap up your essay

Why is it important to include background information in your essay's introduction paragraph?

• to grab the reader's attention

• to persuade the reader to consider your position

• to help the reader understand the topic before you introduce your main points

• to convince the reader to agree with your main claim

Tags

CCSS.W.8.2A

CCSS.W.8.3A

The recipe for a perfect introduction paragraph includes all of the following except ______________.

• a hook

• a counterclaim

• a thesis statement

• background information

• the importance of the topic

The thesis statement _______________.

• provides an overview of what your essay will be about

• is used to establish importance of the topic

• explains why the reader should agree with you

• is not necessary in the introduction paragraph

Tags

CCSS.W.8.1A

CCSS.W.8.2A

Here’s an example of a hook about an essay on gun ownership in the United States:

Almost two-thirds of American adults at some point in their life lived in a home with at least one gun.

Which type of hook is this?

• Anecdote

• Sentence fragment lead

• Rhetorical question

• Startling statistic

Here’s an example of a hook for an essay about the differences between British and American English.

I got off the train and pulled my luggage behind me. A cab pulled up to the curb, and the driver got out. He lifted my luggage and said, “Miss, I’m just going to put your stuff in the boot.” I didn’t know what he meant until I saw him open the car’s trunk. Then I realized the boot means car trunk. I got in the cab, wondering how many other words would be different in England.

Which type of hook is this?

• startling statistic

• anecdote

• famous quote

• rhetorical question

If you start your essay about the meaning of life with this:

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein

Which type of hook are you using?

• rhetorical question

• starting statistic

• onomatopoeia

• famous quote

Which type of hook should you avoid using in middle and high school?

• onomatopoeia

• rhetorical question + startling statistic

• anecdote

• famous quote

Who is the impostor among us?

• Red - Uses a hook to grab the readers attention, provides background information to help the reader understand the topic

• Lime - Skips the introduction paragraph completely, turns in a one sentence response

• Blue- doesn't believe in essays

• Yellow - isn't sure if she is an informative essay or a argumentative essay