Introductory Paragraph

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #1: The Attention Grabber  Introduces the topic of the thesis (without referring directly to it)  Options include: Define the idea or concept that is the topic of the paper. Example: "The word 'punk' no longer just means a form of alternative music." Begin with a startling, unusual, or enlightening fact. Example: "One out of every 500 Americans will not make it home tonight.” Begin with an interesting or dramatic quotation. Example: "Nike’s 'just do it' slogan has been applied to much more than running shoes.” Start with a question or challenge (can be misused/used too often). Example: "Why do some people wear a mask when they cut their lawns?"  DO NOT mention the title/author of the book in the FIRST sentence. That should come later.

Why is it human nature to laugh when someone falls?

At heart, men are afraid that women will laugh at them, while at heart, women are afraid men will kill them.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #2: The Information Adder Adds information about the attention grabber Still general and not referring to the thesis Examples of Attention Grabbers + Info Adders working together: Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a perfect world? In a flawless world, there would be no conflicts, no clashes of character or ideas. During the Great Depression nearly 1 out of 4 working Americans was unemployed. This was a period of intense economic struggle for people all over the country.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #2: The Information Adder Adds information about the attention grabber Still general and not referring to the thesis Examples of Attention Grabbers + Info Adders working together: Why is it human nature to laugh when someone falls? Is it cruelty? Or can we just not help ourselves? At heart, men are afraid that women will laugh at them, while at heart, women are afraid men will kill them. While this may seem extreme, men are more prone to violent behavior than women.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #2: The Information Adder Adds information about the attention grabber Still general and not referring to the thesis Examples of Attention Grabbers + Info Adders working together: If Super One Foods was giving away free frozen turkeys, I would definitely go and stock up. Turkey is pretty tasty, and free is always good.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #3: The Pivot Sentence Pivots or turns the reader toward the thesis The first sentence that hints about our thesis, usually by using a key word from the thesis Examples: Why is it human nature to laugh when someone falls? Is it cruelty? Or can we just not help ourselves? There is a side to human nature that is not cruel, and some literature demonstrates this.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #3: The Pivot Sentence Pivots or turns the reader toward the thesis The first sentence that hints about our thesis, usually by using a key word from the thesis Examples: At heart, men are afraid that women will laugh at them, while at heart, women are afraid men will kill them. While this may seem extreme, men are more prone to violent behavior than women. However, not all men exhibit violent behavior.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #3: The Pivot Sentence Pivots or turns the reader toward the thesis The first sentence that hints about our thesis, usually by using a key word from the thesis Examples: If Super One Foods was giving away free frozen turkeys, I would definitely go and stock up. Turkey is pretty tasty, and free is always good. I might feel differently, though, if I had to club the turkey first.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #4: The Set-Up Sentence Transitions directly to the thesis, connecting the topic or idea of the grabber to the point made by the thesis. Includes title of book (italicized!) and author’s name Example: Why is it human nature to laugh when someone falls? Is it cruelty? Or can we just not help ourselves? There is a side to human nature that is not cruel, and some literature demonstrates this. In Jim Heynan’s story, “What Happened During the Ice Storm,” the main characters exhibit this human kindness.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #4: The Set-Up Sentence Transitions directly to the thesis, connecting the topic or idea of the grabber to the point made by the thesis. Includes title of book (italicized!) and author’s name Example: At heart, men are afraid that women will laugh at them, while at heart, women are afraid men will kill them. While this may seem extreme, men are more prone to violent behavior than women. However, not all men exhibit violent behavior. In Jim Heynan’s story, “What Happened During the Ice Storm,” the main characters choose to behave in a way that contradicts others’ behavior.

Formula for Intro Paragraphs Sentence #4: The Set-Up Sentence Transitions directly to the thesis, connecting the topic or idea of the grabber to the point made by the thesis. Includes title of book (italicized!) and author’s name Example: If Super One Foods was giving away free frozen turkeys, I would definitely go and stock up. Turkey is pretty tasty, and free is always good. I might feel differently, though, if I had to club the turkey first. In Jim Heynan’s story, “What Happened During the Ice Storm,” the main characters are faced with a choice like this. The boys in this story demonstrate kindness and self-sacrifice when they go out of their way for some animals in a challenging situation.

Thesis Statements

The thesis statement is a sentence that summarizes the main point of your essay and previews your supporting points. The thesis statement is important because it guides your readers from the beginning of your essay by telling them the main idea and supporting points of your essay.

Generally, the thesis statement is the final sentence of your introduction. Remember that you need a clear thesis statement at the end your introduction so that your reader understands your main point and knows what to expect from the rest of your essay.

To create your thesis statement, consider the following. What is your main idea? What are your subpoints? Think about each of these questions in relation to the sample essay topic. What is the essay prompt asking you to do?

The boys in this story demonstrate kindness and self- sacrifice when they go out of their way for some animals in a challenging situation.

At heart, men are afraid that women will laugh at them, while at heart, women are afraid men will kill them. While this may seem extreme, men are more prone to violent behavior than women. However, not all men exhibit violent behavior. In Jim Heynan’s story, “What Happened During the Ice Storm,” the main characters choose to behave in a way that contradicts others’ behavior. Instead of acting with cruelty, the boys in this story demonstrate kindness and self-sacrifice when they go out of their way for some animals in a challenging situation.