Crash Course to Introduction Paragraphs

Objectives Introduce precise claims and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among the claims, reasons, and evidence. Define: introduction, hook, background context, thesis, roadmap

Parts of the Introduction Hook Background Context Thesis/Roadmap

Hook \/ Background \/ Thesis

Hook: first sentence that grabs reader's attention Types of Hooks Question Famous quote (that is relevant to your topic) Interesting fact or statistic Personal example Current event

Background Context Introduce the topic, including the title and author of the text Give brief/necessary information about the text (basic storyline, characters, etc. Build a bridge between your hook (which is pretty general) to your thesis (which is pretty specific)

Thesis/Roadmap In one or two sentences, state your argument and how you're going to prove it. Have a clear opinion (claim). Don't be wishy-washy. Topic + Claim + Roadmap = Thesis Roadmap: briefly summarize your main points of support ("The theme of the story is ______ because X, Y, and Z.") This should be the first thing you do when writing an essay.

Mr. Barfield's Sample Intro Prompt: Write an essay about the theme of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. What do I need first? A topic! And an opinion about that topic! Which is also known as a claim! And then I need to be able to support my claim with evidence.

Thesis Topic: theme of OMM Claim: I think the theme is about the American Dream. I think Steinbeck is trying to tell us that American Dream is unrealistic and impossible to achieve. Support: Curley's wife settled for marriage, Crooks' isolation and discrimination, and George's inability to keep a steady job Thesis: The theme of Of Mice and Men is that the American Dream is unrealistic and impossible to achieve. Steinbeck reinforces this theme using a variety of characters, such as Curley's wife, Crooks, and George.

Hook Question: Have you ever felt like some dreams are impossible to achieve no matter what you do? Fact/Statistic: People are told that they can do anything they put their minds to, but according to a recent poll, only 20% of Americans are satisfied with their jobs. If the American Dream is alive and well, that number should be much higher. Personal example: My grandfather always told me to follow my dreams, but as I grew older, I realized that certain dreams never come true. Quote: The great songwriter Bruce Springsteen once said, "I have spent my life judging the distance between the American reality and the American Dream."

Now time to build a bridge... Hook: The great songwriter Bruce Springsteen once said, "I have spent my life judging the distance between the American reality and the American Dream." Thesis: The theme of Of Mice and Men is that the American Dream is unrealistic and impossible to achieve. Steinbeck reinforces this theme using a variety of characters, such as Curley's wife, Crooks, and George. How can I connect these ideas?

Background Hook: The great songwriter Bruce Springsteen once said, "I have spent my life judging the distance between the American reality and the American Dream." Background: Americans are often told growing up that they can do anything they put their minds to, as long as they believe in themselves. But as Mr. Springsteen suggests, sometimes our dreams cannot become a reality. In John Steinbeck's American classic Of Mice and Men, numerous characters have dreams that motivate them. Unfortunately, none of them ever achieve these dreams, which leaves them with a lonely sense of hopelessness. Thesis: The theme of Of Mice and Men is that the American Dream is unrealistic and impossible to achieve. Steinbeck reinforces this theme using a variety of characters, such as Curley's wife, Crooks, and George.

Put it all together! The great songwriter Bruce Springsteen once said, "I have spent my life judging the distance between the American reality and the American Dream." Americans are often told growing up that they can do anything they put their minds to, as long as they believe in themselves. But as Mr. Springsteen suggests, sometimes our dreams cannot become a reality. In John Steinbeck's American classic Of Mice and Men, numerous characters have dreams that motivate them. Unfortunately, none of them ever achieve these dreams, which leaves them with a lonely sense of hopelessness. The theme of Of Mice and Men is that the American Dream is unrealistic and impossible to achieve. Steinbeck reinforces this theme using a variety of characters, such as Curley's wife, Crooks, and George.

What did we learn today? Introduce precise claims and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among the claims, reasons, and evidence. Define: introduction, hook, background context, thesis, roadmap

Questions? Email me Tweet me: Mr. Barfield's Class @mbarfield24