Introductions

What is the purpose of an introduction paragraph in an essay?

• To introduce the reader to the topic and claim in the essay

• To introduce the reader to the author

• To conclude the essay

• To conclude the evidence.

Put the following parts of an introduction in the right order

• Background information

• Hook

• Thesis statement

Answer explanation

The thesis statement is always the last sentence of the introduction, and the hook is always first!

How long should your thesis statement be?

• 2-3 sentences

• 1 sentence

• 5 sentences is the number of sentences in a paragraph

• 6

What is a hook?

• A sentence at the beginning of the introduction to make readers interested in reading your essay

• A sentence at the end of the introduction that states your claim on the topic

• Background information and context relevant to the reader

Which of the following is the best hook?

• Scholars and philosophers have argued for centuries about how much control we have over our lives.

• People have argued about things for a long time.

• We do have control over our lives, as shown in the poem "Fate Slew Him- But He Did Not Drop"

Answer explanation

A hook should be interesting and related to your topic, but it should not be a claim, thesis statement, or something off topic.

For an essay about the texts we read in class, what background information should be included in the introduction?

• The titles of the text

• 1-2 sentences of summary of the text

• All of these

• None of these

Should you include textual evidence (specific examples from the text) or analysis in the introduction?

• Yes, after the hook

• No, it goes in the body paragraphs

• Yes, with a citation

• No, it goes in the conclusion

What is a thesis statement?

• A sentence that tells the reader your topic, position, and reasons.

• A sentence that interests your reader and brings them in.

• A sentence that makes your reader not want to read your essay.

Answer explanation

Sometimes thesis statements look something like:

Cats (topic) are better than dogs (claim) due to their intelligence, companionship and hygiene (reasons).

Place the following parts of an essay in the correct order from first to last.

• Body paragraph 3

• Conclusion

• Body paragraph 2

• Introduction

• Body paragraph 1

What should an introductory paragraph never start with?

• Hook

• Background information

• Thesis statement

Answer explanation

Sometimes background information can be part of the hook, as long as it is interesting, but a paragraph never ever starts with the thesis statement. A thesis statement always goes last.