Expository Introductions Mrs. Valenzuela P-AP ENG I

An Introduction should… Clearly state what the essay is going to address. Be inviting and entice the reader to continue reading.

Good introductions strategies The following are good introduction strategies for expository papers, but other strategies can be used successfully.

funnel The funnel introduction strategy reveals background information leading to a focused thesis statement. Birds, horses, rats and other animals all have special talents which have been used by humans. However, no animal has quite as many special talents as dogs. What is my essay going to clearly be about? Dogs have special talents. TIP: Use a historical flare as an example. Raters want to see that you’ve learned from other classes.

quotation The quotation strategy uses a quote to lead to the thesis statement. “Never trust a man a dog doesn’t like,” the proverb says. This somehow implies that dogs can tell the character of a person before a human can. In many ways, this is true. What is my essay clearly going to be about? Dogs can tell the character of people before other people can. TIP: Memorize at least 5 good quotes that can be used in different types of expository essays. This will give you extra points.

Turnabout The turnabout strategy starts with the opposite idea and then moves to the focus. Dogs are cute, smart, and loyal. However, dogs can have annoying habits. What is my essay clearly going to be about? The essay will be about the annoying habits of dogs.

After you write your introduction, ask yourself: Does it clearly state what my essay will be about? The most important thing is a clear, focused thesis. The next important step is to interest your reader.