How to Write an Introductory Paragraph

You are writing a 5-paragraph essay about: To Kill a Mockingbird. You started by choosing an interesting and limited topic.

You wrote a 3-point thesis including your limited topic, attitude, and three points you will develop in the paper. Next, you wrote your three topic sentences for each of the three points to begin each of your body paragraphs.

You then learned how to write a body paragraph. A paragraph is like an outline with major points and sub-points. The topic sentence and concluding sentence are the “bookends” to the paragraph. Topic Sentence (mirrors thesis point) Primary Support Sentence Secondary Support Sentence Concluding Sentence

How to write an Introductory Paragraph: Using the 5-3-1 Method

Catch Material 5 Transition 3 Thesis 1

Catch Material: (5 sentences) Anecdote (invent a story or character that mirrors topic) Startling Fact/Surprising Statistic Quotation (Petersen hates this!) Rhetorical Questions (questions to get reader thinking)

Catch Material: (Anecdote Sample) Bethany sat alone in her room, staring at the ivory wedding dress laying on her bed. She had dreamed of this day since she was a little girl. Today, her father would walk her down the aisle, but there would be an empty seat in the front pew. Bethany’s mother had died when she was just a little girl and would now only be watching from heaven. Even as a tear slipped down her cheek, Bethany was grateful for the many people in her life who had watched over her and who had acted as mother figures.

(Rhetorical Question Sample) Catch Material: (Rhetorical Question Sample) What would happen today if a jury simply ignored all the evidence in a court trial? What if every single person in the courtroom knew that a verdict was wrong? Would the judge declare a mistrial? Despite the best arguments of talented lawyers, how does one cope with the prejudice and bias of twelve men and women seated in the jury box? The court should be the one place in our society where every person, no matter his or her background, should have a fair chance for the truth to shine.

Transition: (3 sentences) Introduce the novel’s title Introduce the topic in general State why the topic is significant Narrow the focus of the essay

Transition: (Anecdote Sample) Bethany sat alone in her room, staring at the ivory wedding dress laying on her bed. She had dreamed of this day since she was a little girl. Today, her father would walk her down the aisle, but there would be an empty seat in the front pew. Bethany’s mother had died when she was just a little girl and would now only be watching from heaven. Even as a tear slipped down her cheek, Bethany was grateful for the many people in her life who had watched over her and who had acted as mother figures. In To Kill a Mockingbird, little Scout has grown up without her mother. An absence like this could forever affect the person who she is to become; luckily, she has others in her life who have nurtured and cared for her. Every person needs the love and support, and even guidance. to help prepare for a life.

(Rhetorical Question Sample) Transition: (Rhetorical Question Sample) What would happen today if a jury simply ignored all the evidence in a court trial? What if every single person in the courtroom knew that a verdict was wrong? Would the judge declare a mistrial? Despite the best arguments of talented lawyers, how does one cope with the prejudice and bias of twelve men and women seated in the jury box? The court should be the one place in our society where every person, no matter his or her background, should have a fair chance for the truth to shine. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the trial of Tom Robinson is an example of injustice disguised as justice. Even though every person sitting in that courtroom sees the outcome through different cultural lenses, there is a sense of shame that hangs over the Maycomb legal system like a cloud. The disease of racism, when allowed to go unchecked, infects every aspect of society like a cancer.

How to Write an Introductory Paragraph