Writing an Introduction Paragraph Research Assignment Human Rights

The Hook The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give her an idea of the essay's focus. Begin with an attention grabber.

The Hook Definition: An opening sentence or two that grabs the reader’s interest Examples: Historical information Anecdote A surprising statement A quote

The Hook Historical Information: Some topics are better understood if a brief historical review of the topic is presented. Tips: Keep it brief. Make sure it’s factual.

If I were writing an informative essay on skateboarding tricks: The Hook Historical Hook Example: If I were writing an informative essay on skateboarding tricks: In the spring of 1975, skateboarding took an evolutionary boost toward the sport that we see today. In Del Mar, California, a freestyle contest was held at the Ocean Festival. That day, the Zephyr team showed the world what skateboarding could be. They rode their boards like no one had in the public eye, low and smooth. Skateboarding was taken from being a hobby to a serious, exciting sport.

The Hook Anecdote: An interesting little story Tips: Include sights, sounds, smells, and other sensory images. Keep it brief.

If I was writing an informative essay about auctions: The Hook Anecdote Example: If I was writing an informative essay about auctions: Mike Cantlon remembers coming across his first auction ten years ago while cruising the back roads of Wisconsin. He parked his car and wandered into the crowd, toward the auctioneer’s chant and wafting smell of barbequed sandwiches. Hours later, Cantlon emerged lugging a $22 drill and a passion for auctions that has remained.

The Hook A surprising statement: There are many ways a statement can surprise a reader. Sometimes the statement is surprising because it’s disgusting. Sometimes it is joyful. Sometimes it is shocking. Tips: Be sure to explain how the statement relates to your topic. Description is great… over-exaggeration is not. Make sure the statement is relevant, not just shocking.

The Hook Surprising Statement Examples: If I wanted to inform parents of ways to protect their children and avoid accidents: Have a minute? That may be all it takes to save the life of a child – your child. Accidents kill nearly 8,000 children under the age of 15 each year. And for every fatality, 42 more children are admitted to hospitals for treatment. Yet such deaths and injuries can be avoided through easy steps parents can take.

The Hook Quote: When a writer uses the words of another to help illustrate a point Tips: Your quote should be unusual or funny. Don’t choose a long quote. Your quote should have a meaning that you will reveal to the reader in your essay. Remember to put quotation marks around your quote. Include who said or wrote your quote.

The Hook Quote example: If I wanted to write an informative essay about how to recover after making a mistake: Norton Juster, author of The Phantom Tollbooth, once wrote, “You must never feel badly about making mistakes as long as you take the trouble to learn from them.”

The Hook If you’re stuck, try completing these sentences after you read your sources: When I was thinking about this, I couldn’t believe that ___________________. It was amazing to me that ______________. Imagine what it’s like to ____________. The image I can’t get out of my head is _________________.

The Topic Sentence Why do we need them? They keep the reader focused on the point of the essay. They serve as a transition from the hook to the thesis statement.

The Topic Sentence Examples: People can avoid burglaries by taking certain precautions. There are several advantages to growing up in a small town. Fixing a flat tire is an easy process. In order to fully explore the wreck of the Titanic, scientists must address several problems.

The Thesis Statement Your thesis statement will have two parts. The first part states the topic. Child Labor The second part states the three subtopics you will support with details from your sources. should be a concern of governments across the world because of the safety issues involved, the lack of education, and the cycles of poverty that never end. Once you have formulated a thesis statement that fits this pattern and with which you are comfortable, you are ready to continue.

Review Three Parts of an Introduction: - Hook (Attention Grabber) - Topic (Introduction of Topic) - Thesis Statement (Topic + Opinion + 3 Subtopics)