Writing an Informative Essay The Introductory  Paragraph

Standards Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Objectives: After today’s lesson you will… Understand what informative writing looks like. Know and be able to identify the components of an effective introduction. Know at least 4 methods for creating a hook. Write an effective introductory paragraph that includes a hook, explanatory material that maps the context of the issue, and a clear, precise thesis.

Set Goals for today’s learning! Take a look at the rubric which will be used to assess your writing. 3 is considered proficient and 4 is considered outstanding…What are the differences on the rubric for these two scores? Do you want to be a 3 or a 4? Decide on goals/targets for today’s skill! What can you do to make sure you meet/exceed your goals today?

https://youtu.be/tRpPHylKFCQ Video https://youtu.be/tRpPHylKFCQ

What key concepts did you note in the video? Compare with a neighbor. Did you have some of the same things written down? Of all the things you wrote down, which thing/things do you think is/are the most important? Why?

What key concepts did you note? Let’s share out! What words or phrases were repeated the most?

The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions: What is this? Why am I reading it? What do you want me to do?

The introductory paragraph has three basic components/parts: Hook – pique reader’s curiosity Context – Why is this important to my reader? Thesis– Point being made/proven

Take a look at this Introductory Paragraph Have you ever dreamt that you were walking along the side of a road or along a cliff and suddenly you trip? You’re falling for what seems like forever, but before hitting the ground, you wake up? This is considered to be a falling dream, and ironically, falling dreams occur when you are falling asleep. They are usually accompanied by muscle spasms and twitches of the entire body. Although these dreams occur while we are falling asleep, they interpret a completely different meaning.  Understanding how dreams occur, how they affect our lives and what they mean help us grasp what dreams actually are. Hook Context: Why is my Thesis audience interested in this?

Take a look at this Introductory Paragraph Have you ever dreamt that you were walking along the side of a road or along a cliff and suddenly you trip? You’re falling for what seems like forever, but before hitting the ground, you wake up? This is considered to be a falling dream, and ironically, falling dreams occur when you are falling asleep. They are usually accompanied by muscle spasms and twitches of the entire body. Although these dreams occur while we are falling asleep, they interpret a completely different meaning.  Understanding how dreams occur, how they affect our lives and what they mean help us grasp what dreams actually are. Hook Context: Why is my Thesis audience interested in this?

The Hook: First Impressions are so important! How many times have you heard that? It is true that the first impression—whether it’s a first meeting with a person, the first sentence of a book, the first line of a movie, or the first sentence of a paper—sets the stage for a lasting opinion. The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers. It HOOKS your reader and pulls him or her in!

How to Write an Effective Hook Let’s see what Mr. Sato has to say in this short clip about writing an effective hook.

Just in Case you Missed Something Startling fact or relevant statistic Anecdote or personal experience Rhetorical question Bold pronouncement

Consider these ideas/methods for creating a strong beginning –Rhetorical Question Rhetorical Question: What will our generation do when fossil fuels, such as gasoline, oil, and coal, are depleted? Advocates of nuclear energy claim that without nuclear power plants, the future will see us shivering in the dark. Survivors of the Chernobyl disaster can testify, however, to the risks of nuclear power. The solution to the energy crisis lies in safe, alternative fuel sources: the sun, the wind, and the oceans.

Consider these ideas/methods for creating a strong beginning - Surprising Fact Surprising Fact: The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary. The famous government building was constructed in the 1940s, when segregation laws required that separate bathrooms be installed for people of African descent. This building isn’t the only American icon that harkens back to this embarrassing and hurtful time in our history. Across the United States there are many examples of leftover laws and customs that reflect the racism that once permeated American society.

Consider these ideas/methods for creating a strong beginning - Quotation Quotation: Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nation’s first female Speaker of the House, one woman’s voice rang out clear. With this development, democracy grew to its truest level ever in terms of women’s equality. The historical event also paved the way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal chords in preparation for a presidential race.

Consider these ideas/methods for creating a strong beginning – Anecdote (Humor) Anecdote: When my older brother substituted fresh eggs for our hard-boiled Easter eggs, he didn’t realize our father would take the first crack at hiding them. My brother’s holiday ended early that particular day in 1991, but the rest of the family enjoyed the warm April weather, outside on the lawn, until late into the evening. Perhaps it was the warmth of the day and the joy of eating Easter roast while Tommy contemplated his actions that make my memories of Easter so sweet. Whatever the true reason, the fact is that my favorite holiday of the year is Easter Sunday.

Questions to Ask: Your Hook Did it draw my reader’s attention? Is it general enough to not give away the thesis yet?

Your Hook Choose two of the methods discussed and write two different hooks for the topic you have chosen on an index card (one on the front and one on the back of the card).

Ask two different neighbors to read and evaluate your two hooks and determine which one is the most intriguing/engaging. If they disagree, get a third opinion.

Mapping Context In a typical essay, that first sentence (the hook) leads into a few sentences that provide details about your subject or your process. All of these sentences build up to your thesis/claim statement. They link your hook to your thesis/claim, explaining why your reader should be interested in your topic.

Mapping Context Questions to ask: Why is the topic important to the reader? What do others think about the topic? What is one piece of information that can link my hook to the Thesis Statement?

Mapping Context Let’s look at a couple of previous examples and take note of exactly how the author maps the context.

Effectively mapping context means providing a link/transition from the hook to the thesis/claim. Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nation’s first female Speaker of the House, one woman’s voice rang out clear. With this development, democracy grew to its truest level ever in terms of women’s equality. The historical event also paved the way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal chords in preparation for a presidential race.

Thesis: Main Point The thesis statement is the subject of much instruction and training. The entirety of your paper hangs on that sentence. It introduces the topic in a structured manner. It appears as the last sentence of the introduction.

Let’s check out the concept with a video clip! Writing a Killer Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement: Getting It Right "Big cars are bad for the environment." This thesis is a little too broad. How are big cars bad? And why does it matter? More Effective Thesis Statement: "Big cars harm society and the environment because they are costly and dangerous to smaller vehicles on the road, and they further America's dependency on foreign oil."

You be the Teacher: Which of these would be effective thesis for an informative essay? Romeo and Juliet, a tragic love story, was written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare uses irony effectively in his tragic love story Romeo and Juliet. Daylight Saving Time is a good thing. Daylight Saving Time is a system that may be replaced by a year-round standard time. Watching too much violence on television has been linked to rebellion in young children. I am about to tell you how violence on television has been linked to rebellion in young children.

You be the Teacher: Which of these would be effective thesis for an informative essay? Romeo and Juliet, a tragic love story, was written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare uses irony effectively in his tragic love story Romeo and Juliet. Daylight Saving Time is a god thing. Daylight Saving Time is a system that may be replaced by a year-round standard time. Watching too much violence on television has been linked to rebellion in young children. I am about to tell you how violence on television has been linked to rebellion in young children.

Creating a Thesis On one of your index cards, write a clear, precise thesis statement on your topic. Trade thesis statements with a neighbor and critique each other’s. To Consider: Is it a statement? Is it clear and precise? Can it be supported with logical reasons?

Let’s do a Quick Check to assess today’s lesson and they we will apply what we have learned by creating our own introductory paragraphs!

Drafting the Introductory Paragraph Use the hook that your neighbors deemed most intriguing to begin your essay. Then, add context that maps out the issue/explains why it matters. Conclude your introductory paragraph with your thesis.