How to Write an Effective Introduction By: Mrs. McKinney

The argumentative/persuasive introductory paragraph: Needs at least 3 things: An attention grabber/hook sentence A brief introduction to the topic Your thesis statement which includes your argument and your two reasons.

First sentence-- The first sentence of your introduction serves as the attention grabber or hook. This sentence tries to get the reader’s attention and make them interested in reading the rest of your essay. There are several different types of attention grabbers or hooks.

Attention Grabber #1 1. Open with an interesting general statement— --Almost every time that you turn on the television you will find a number of shows which are extremely violent. --Many public schools have decided that their students should use uniforms. --In America, many middle and high schools are considering changing their start times.

Attention Grabber #2 Opening with a question: --Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence on prime television? --Do you think that to improve our public school education the students should be required to wear uniforms? --Should middle and high schools start later than elementary schools?

Attention Grabber #3 Opening with a hypothetical situation or story: During recess a few weeks ago, my little brother took a rock and hit another boy on the head with it. He was imitating something he saw on a violent video game. Imagine a girl who can’t afford to buy clothes that meet the latest fashion trends. She has to go to school every day and face bullies who make fun of everything she wears. She hears, “Are those your mom’s old jeans?” It is a common scene in the bedrooms of teenagers all across America. Moms are trying to wake up their teenagers, who fight to stay in bed: “Five more minutes!” “Can’t you just drive me today!” Knocks on the door, water splashed on the face, and shrieking alarm clocks aren’t enough to wake up these teens.

Explain the topic! You usually need 1-2 sentences to link your attention getter to the topic/introduce or explain the topic. Interesting General Statement: In America, many middle and high schools are considering changing their start times. Explain the topic: Although research shows later school start times are have many benefits, schools across the nation are divided whether or not to move the start time due to many challenges. Some schools are willing to get creative to overcome those challenges. Some schools feel it isn’t worth the effort.

After your attention grabber, you need a thesis statement! There are two objectives of a thesis statement: It tells the reader the specific argument of your essay It imposes manageable limits on that topic.

Sample Thesis Statement: Example thesis for persuasive letter on school start times: School start times should be moved because it is healthier and helps students do better in school.

Why is this a good thesis? School start times should be moved because it is healthier and helps students do better in school. It tells the reader the specific argument of your essay --My point of view is clear. It is clear to the reader that I am arguing for later start times. It imposes manageable limits on that topic. --It focuses on two main ideas—healthier and helps students do better in school. --It introduces what your AECTEC paragraphs will be about. It is clear that my body paragraphs will list ways later start times are healthier and ways later start times help students do better in school..

Introduction all together In America, many middle and high schools are considering changing their start times. Although research shows later school start times are have many benefits, schools across the nation are divided whether or not to move the start time due to many challenges. Some schools are willing to get creative to overcome those challenges. Some schools feel it isn’t worth the effort. School start times should be moved because it is healthier and helps students do better in school.

Outline for essay: Introduction: Attention Getter + thesis School start times should be moved because it is healthier and helps students do better in school. AECTEC Paragraph 1: Argument: Later school start times are healthier for students. Evidence one: One way later start times are healthier is that they allow students to get the 8.5 hours of sleep needed. Evidence two: In addition, later start times are healthier is that it reduces health issues such as depression, anxiety, obesity and illness. AECTEC Paragraph 2: Argument: Later start times help students to do better in school. Evidence one: One way later start times help students do better in school is they reduce tardiness. Evidence two—Also, later start times help students to be more alert in school.

Write your introduction! 1. Attention Grabber! Open with a interesting general statement Open with an interesting fact/statistic Open with a question 2. Use 2-3 sentences to explain/introduce the topic. 3. Thesis Statement! It tells the reader the specific argument of your essay It imposes manageable limits on that topic by introducing what your two AECTEC paragraphs will be about.