Introduction and Conclusion Paragraphs No pain for me this time…

The Introduction Paragraph The first paragraph in a paper that introduces your topic and thesis statement Contains 3 main parts: Attention-Getter / Hook Lead-in Thesis statement **In an argumentative piece it may be necessary to give background information to your audience regarding the topic of the argument. Example: If you are writing an argument about gun control, your audience may need to know what the current laws are. The Introduction Paragraph

Think of the introduction paragraph as an upside down triangle. A Visual General Attention Getter Lead-in Thesis Statement Specific

Attention Getter / Hook The very first sentence(s) that gets the reader’s attention and makes them want to read more VERY general introduction of the topic Some options: Shocking statistic Startling story Quotation Setting the scene Description NO QUESTION S Attention Getter / Hook

The sentences between the attention-getter and thesis statement Helps narrow the topic from general to specific Acts as a transition between attention-getter and thesis statement The Lead-in

The Thesis Statement The most important sentence in the paper Last sentence of introduction paragraph Tells exactly what the paper will be about Sometimes, it will present the order of the supporting material that will be in the paper The Thesis Statement

Hook strategies A literary quote This type of hook is appropriate when you are writing about a particular author, story, literary phenomenon, book, etc. Using a quote will make your essay sound fresh and establish your authority as an author. Ex: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” These words of Nick Carraway perfectly describe… Hook strategies

Hook Strategies Quotes from Famous People Including a quote from an authoritative and influential person can help support your argument and create an intriguing hook. The key is to make sure that you clearly show how the quote is relevant to your essay. Example: John Wooden once said, “Never mistake activity for achievement.” Hook Strategies

Hook Strategies Anecdote Don’t be afraid to employ this type of hook. Remember, even if you start with a humorous anecdote, it doesn’t mean that your entire essay has to be funny. A bit of humor can help you grab readers’ attention and spark their interest in the topic. Ex. When I was a young boy, my father worked at a coal mine. For 27 years, he made it his occupation to scrape and claw and grunt his way into the bowels of the earth, searching for fuel. On April 19, 2004, the bowels of the earth clawed back. Hook Strategies

Hook Strategies Set a Scene People respond well to visual cues. Taking the time to set a detailed scene will help your reader have a clear picture in their minds and create an effective hook. You can describe an incident or detail the particular features of a person or a character to help the readers become immersed in your writing. Ex. The day was long and grueling for Mike. After working twelve long hours in the dark, dense coal mine, he heads out in his beat up Chevy truck for job number 2 where he works as a foreman on a construction site. His days are long, and he has worked hard to realize the American Dream. Hook Strategies

Hook Strategies Include an Interesting Fact or Definition These types of hooks start by surprising the reader with something that may not have known. Provide an interesting fact about something you are going to discuss in your essay’s body and your audience will want to keep reading to learn more. James Truslow Adams coined the term “The American Dream” soon after the Great Depression in order to help explain why so many immigrants wanted to come live in America. Hook Strategies

Hook Strategies Reveal a Common Misconception The most interesting essays will teach the readers something new. If you start your introduction by showing that a commonly accepted truth is actually false, your readers will be instantly hooked. Many people believe achieving the American Dream means having all the money you could ever want or need. However, the real American Dream, especially today, is simply to be out of debt and to have a nice house that you can call home. Hook Strategies

Hook Strategies Statistics By listing proven facts at the very beginning of your paper, you will create interest that can be carried throughout the rest of the essay. Examples: The average iceberg weighs over 100,000 metric tons! Or 80% of young people polled today do not believe that the American Dream still exists in this country. Hook Strategies

The Conclusion Paragraph The last paragraph in an essay that neatly wraps up the paper Contains 3 main parts Restate the thesis Lead-out Clincher The Conclusion Paragraph

A Visual Think of the Conclusion as a triangle. Specific Restatement of Thesis Lead-out Clincher General

Restate the thesis Summarize the thesis without repeating yourself The most specific part of the conclusion Should include a transition to indicate that this is your concluding paragraph Restate the thesis

The Lead-out Just like the lead-in only backwards Makes the topic larger to become more general and less specific Smoothes out the conclusion paragraph The Lead-out

The Clincher Last sentence of the last paragraph Give the paper finality Similar to an attention getter because it should make the reader think and leave an impression Most general part of the conclusion paragraph The Clincher

Imagine you are walking down the beach on a beautiful summer day Imagine you are walking down the beach on a beautiful summer day. The sun is shining on you and the gentle breeze is comforting. Out of the corner of your eye you see what looks like a huge chunk of ear wax. Curious, you go to investigate. What you see looks like a tangled up bunch of wax. It is ugly but beautiful at the same time, so you decide to keep it. The Introduction