Writing a Strong Introduction English III

Importance of the Introduction Introduces the reader to your topic Outlines your paper when a strong thesis is utilized Gives your reader something to anticipate Incites INTEREST in your topic

Finding the Hook In each example, the first sentence draws the reader in to find out how the interesting fact leads to a point. You can use many methods to capture your reader’s interest. Curiosity: A duck’s quack doesn’t echo. Some people might find a deep and mysterious meaning in this fact … Definition: A homograph is a word with two or more pronunciations. Produce is one example …

Avoid Beginning with Dictionary Definitions Obvious to Readers Avoid Beginning with Overly Vague and General Statements or Broad Generalizations Example: Crimes are committed every day by different people, and there are many different kinds of crime. Some crimes are more serious than others. One serious crime today is identity theft. (Can you hear the readers already starting to snooze? The first two sentences to this introduction are far too vague and general to get anyone interested in what the writer is going to say in the paper.) Avoid Beginning with Dictionary Definitions Obvious to Readers Example: According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the word "steal" is defined as "to take the property of another wrongfully." Identity theft is one form of stealing. (The writer of these sentences seems to assume that the readers are idiots, which is not a good impression to give readers. Who would not already know this definition of "steal"?)

The Easy Way: Using Imagery Use imagery to open your paper. It’s the strongest way possible to get your reader hooked. For example, a position paper on school uniforms could have an introduction like this:

A boy walks into school on his first day of his freshman year A boy walks into school on his first day of his freshman year. He is breathing hard and terrified that the worst thing possible could happen: Someone will notice that his off-beige pants are not khaki and he will be disciplined his very first day for wearing hand-me-downs from his older brother rather than shining new khakis from a department store. Schools should eliminate restrictive dress codes because the dress codes hinder students’ freedom of expression, fail to adequately “equalize” students as they originally sought to do, and create tension between teachers and students by creating yet another avenue of trouble for students to travel.

Avoiding Beginning with a Direct Statement of What You, as the Writer, are Doing Example: In this essay, identity theft will be explained. I will discuss why it is such a big problem and what the government should do about it. (Such an introduction might be appropriate for a writer in junior high school, but mature writers use much more effective rhetorical strategies to begin their essays.) Get creative!!! How can you make me want to read your paper? Are there song lyrics, movies, current events, etc. that relate to your topic? You can utilize any of them, as long as you cite appropriately and stay on topic!!!

Strong Examples 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. 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.

REVISION, REVISION, REVISION!!! DO NOT BE AFRAID TO REVISE YOUR INTRODUCTION AFTER YOU FINISH THE REST OF YOUR PAPER!!! Often you find a better way to transition into the paper AFTER you’ve written everything else. There is nothing wrong with a writing process that is not chronological.