Research Paper Introduction Paragraph

What goes in the Introduction? Attention Getter—grab the readers’ attention/an effective opening Preview/Background—let the reader know what the topics of the body paragraphs are/sets the stage for your topic Thesis Statement—the one sentence that focuses your entire paper

Attention Getters Quote Find a quote that fits in with your topic, or a quote by your person that sums up what you want people to know about him/her. Here’s a sample about Mother Teresa: Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, said of Mother Teresa: “To meet her is to feel utterly humble, to sense the power of tenderness and the strength of love.”

Attention Getters Statistic Use a statistic that helps make a point, or a statistic that is unexpected or shocking, to get the reader’s attention. Here’s a sample about Mother Teresa: There are over 13,000,000 people living in Calcutta, India. Two-thirds of these people are profoundly poor, living in primitive slums or on the streets.

Attention Getters Little-known Fact Surprise the reader with a little-known fact about your topic. It may make the reader want to know more about the topic. Here’s a sample about Mother Teresa: The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the highest honors a person can receive. Mother Teresa received this honor in 1979 for her work with the poor of Calcutta, India.

Attention Getters Fragments Use a series of sentence fragments to focus the reader’s attention on images or key words you want them to think about. Here’s a sample about Mother Teresa: Compassionate. Fearless. Strong. These are words that describe Mother Teresa.

Attention Getters Set a Scene Describe where the person was born, their turning point moment, etc. Here’s a sample about Mother Teresa: Filthy streets are cluttered with garbage, sacred cows wandering about, and the stench of poverty. In the middle of all this misery walks a woman in a white gown, Mother Teresa.

Attention Getters Metaphor Make a comparison between your person and something with similar qualities. Here’s a sample about Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa was an angel walking on the Earth.

Attention Getters Riddle Give some clues that lead to an answer that ties in to your person. Here’s a sample about Mother Teresa: She was called “mother” by millions, though she had no children of her own. She was Mother Teresa.

Attention Getters Definition State a definition in your own words that ties to your topic. Here’s a sample about Mother Teresa: A saint is someone who sets aside his or her own wants and needs to follow a higher calling.

Preview/Background Preview what your are going to talk about OR Give some background information on your topic

Mother Teresa: Answering a Call Compassionate. Fearless. Strong. These are words that describe one of the most admired women in recent memory, Mother Teresa. She was raised in a home that emphasized caring, but she left her home and family to become one of the most inspirational figures of our time. Mother Teresa, from a young age, seemed destined to do great things. Today, her story is still an inspiration to people who care about the poor. Mother Teresa is one person who answered a call and made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of the poorest people in the world. BLUE = Attention Getter PURPLE = Preview/background—What I’ll be telling you about in the paper RED = Thesis Statement

Now YOU do it! Try three different attention getter techniques for your research paper on the handout. Star the one you think will be best for your paper. Once you find the one you want to use: Begin writing your introduction paragraph. Attention Getter first, then a preview/background of what is in your paper, and then the Thesis Statement