Essay Introductions: ATTENTION GRABBERS

Startling Information must be true and verifiable doesn't need to be totally new to your readers. could simply be a relevant fact that clearly illustrates the point you wish to make. --transition to your THESIS

Example: Startling Information According to a 2008 study by the CDC, "over 9 million children, ages 6-19 years-old are overweight or obese." This is three times what it was in 1980.

Anecdote a small story that illustrates the point of your essay think of it as an episode, not a full blown story with characters, plot, setting, etc.

Example: Anecdote When the plane came crashing down into the island, the boys’ lives would be forever altered. The island may have appeared to be a playground without adult supervision at first, but each child would soon discover that it was a dark and chaotic hell.

Summary Information Global Statement: A few sentences explaining your topic in general terms Each sentence should become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis. For an essay on symbolism, start with a brief definition of symbolism and then explain why an author might include this in a story

Example: Summary Information (or Global Statement) Symbolism is a method authors use to stimulate new thoughts and ideas in a reader. It is through symbolism that an author encourages his or her reader to go beyond the obvious to find the true meaning of even the most ordinary object.

ALWAYS: End your Essay Introduction with your THESIS STATEMENT. Lead the reader from your attention grabber to your THESIS STATEMENT. For Lit Response, write 2 sentences about the literature and/or the author. “In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding…” End your Essay Introduction with your THESIS STATEMENT. That’s a total of at least 4 sentences.

THESIS STATEMENTS MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER Give focus and structure to your essays and MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER 2 arguable prongs (one for each body paragraph) Characters and events in the literature are not considered arguable prongs.

Which is the best thesis statement? Lord of the Flies is about a group of British boys stranded on an island. Many objects are symbolic in Lord of the Flies, including Piggy’s glasses. Piggy’s glasses are a symbol used to illustrate his intelligence and his desire to see things clearly.

Things NOT to do in an introductory paragraph: Avoid phrases like the following: In my opinion . . . I think. . . I'm not sure about this, but . . . Although I don’t know much . . . In this essay I will… The purpose of this essay is to…