Warm Up: Read the paragraph and correct all of the “commonly confused” words

Writing Your Introduction Hook Broad Specific Thesis/Claim

The Hook The purpose is to grab the reader’s attention and draw him/her into your essay 5 major types of hooks: Definition or statistic Quotation Rhetorical question Anecdote Surprising fact

Five Types of Hooks: Definition or statistic: Merriam-Webster defines discrimination as “the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually; prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment”. Quotation: “Through non-violence, courage displaces fear; love transforms hate. Acceptance dissipates prejudice; hope ends despair” (Diane Nash). Rhetorical question: Can one person truly be superior to another based on something like race, sex, or gender? Anecdote: Every day I grab the brown bag lunch from my locker and head to the cafeteria with the same dread, the same pit in my stomach. I know what awaits me: the giggles, stares, and comments from my “friends” as I eat what my Papa has made for my midday meal. Surprising fact: Under Jim Crow law in the 1960’s, a black American could be beaten or even killed for just seeking out the same privileges as a white American.

Writer Beware! Be careful to avoid these common mistakes while writing your hook!! Never directly address the reader (no “you” or implied “you”) The hook should be general-- it should not give away the exact topic of the essay It should not state your position—guide your reader to your thesis statement Starting with it too early is like shoving it into their face and saying BELIEVE THIS!! (not very effective, FYI)

What’s wrong? The attempted hooks are in blue. Turn to a partner or look at your notes—why would these be ineffective hooks? (this is the informative prompt these writers are trying to address): Write an essay about an unusual food you have eaten. Explain what makes it so unusual. Do you like to eat? What’s the weirdest thing you ever ate? Have you ever sat down at lunch only to have your friends stare and laugh at your food? Plato said, “Knowledge is food for the soul.” The weirdest food I ever ate was chocolate covered ants. Last summer my family took a trip to Japan. The plane ride took over 12 hours. My little brother complained the whole time. When we finally got there, my dad had us get on the wrong train...

Better Grabbers The effective hooks are in green. Turn to a partner or look at your notes—why would these be effective hooks? Every day I grab the brown bag lunch from my locker and head to the cafeteria with the same dread, the same pit in my stomach. I know what awaits me: the giggles, stares, and comments from my “friends” as I eat what my Papa has made for my midday meal. What makes a certain food considered a delicacy to one person and grotesque to another? The actor Woody Allen once said, “I want my food dead --not sick, not wounded -- dead.” After my trip with my family to Japan, I can sympathize.

Now it’s your turn Open to your writing/comp notes section of notebook. Write two grabbers (using two different types) for your future paper. GO!

Thesis statement/Claim Like a main idea for the entire essay Belongs at end of introductory paragraph--last (or close to last) sentence Should never contain the phrases “I think, I believe, I feel, In my opinion” etc. Should be worded as fact, even if it is an opinion Must clearly answer the task of the prompt May contain the three supporting ideas or reasons (A, B, C for the three body paragraphs) Ex: The Freedom Riders helped the civil rights movement be successful because their publicized nonviolent protests inspired viewers at home and won the public support of hundreds of Americans.

Check out my example: Please read my sample introduction, then underline and label: The hook The thesis statement The more general information The more specific information

A few important facts to remember about introductions: They are hard to write, and they rarely turn out great the first time Switching in a different hook is easy-peasy later—don’t get hung up on that detail! It’s better to just write—sitting there does nothing, but writing (even if you feel like it’s garbage) at least gives you something to work with They should ALWAYS be revised after you finish your body paragraphs

Your Homework: Develop your own introduction!

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