Introduction and Conclusion Start and end strong

Parts of an Introduction Hook (2-3 Sentences) Connector (1-2 Sentences) Thesis/Claim (1 Sentence)

Types of Hooks Statistic (Numbers) and Interpretation (What does it mean) Rhetorical Question ( A question where you don’t expect an answer) and Answer Famous Quote and Explanation Anecdote (story) and Transition

Conclusion Relate back to hook Recap 3 main points Extrapolate thesis: what problems could this have beyond the book? End with a thought-provoking general statement

Statistic Intro: According to the National Wildlife Federation, 85% of endangered animals are in danger of dying off completely due to the destruction of their homes. As people continue to bulldoze the world around them, entire species of animals are being wiped off the face of the Earth. This is especially true in continents with big cities, like North America. The 300 remaining black-footed ferrets live here, for now. Because of habitat loss and disease, the black-footed ferret might join the ranks of the extinct.

Question Intro: When is a store-opening sign not a happy occasion? When the land used to make the store was home to an endangered species. While humans wander the aisles looking for deals, the animals are wandering the parking lot area, dodging cars and looking for new homes. One of these animals is the black- footed ferret. Because of habitat loss and disease, the black-footed ferret might join the ranks of the extinct.

Quote Intro: There is a popular saying that “home is where the heart is.” Since many animals are losing their homes to the spread of cities, it makes sense that they are also dying. It also makes sense that this happens in North America, where forests and wetlands have been torn down and polluted, killing off species since the 1900s. Because of habitat loss and disease, the black-footed ferret might join the ranks of the extinct.

Anecdote Intro: Imagine a sock, stuffed with warm down, like a pillow and covered in soft, velvet-like brown and white fur. It has stubby little black paws attached to limbs just long enough to lift the tender underbelly just off of the ground. The sock and limbs form a furry, loving animal, which looks at the world through wide, hopeful black eyes. Unfortunately, the world does not even bother to look at the animal before destroying its home. Because of habitat loss and disease, the black- footed ferret might join the ranks of the extinct.

Anecdote Intro: A small, snakelike mammal slithers out of its hole and peeks its little head out of the ground. It looks around with its big black eyes at a world of concrete and brick. The forests where it used to play and hunt are gone. The animal is a black-footed ferret, one of only 300 left in the world. Because of habitat loss and disease, the black- footed ferret might join the ranks of the extinct.