Components to a Successful Informational Introductory Paragraph

1. Lead Start your paper with… a general statement about your topic that catches the reader’s attention a relevant quotation a question a fascinating fact a definition an anecdote or a dilemma that needs a solution

A General Statement Begin with a general statement, containing three or so ideas about your topic. The information given in the lead is general, not specific. The specific details that support the general statement will appear later in the paper. “There are many influences the French had on Americans. The three most important being fashion, language and ice cream.”

A Relevant Quotation Open with a quotation that is well known or from a famous person. Be sure to put quotations around the quote. “A wave of something like panic swept the town.”

A Question Open with an interesting question that relates to the main idea. Have you ever wondered how you would survive if you were living in Philadelphia during the Yellow Fever epidemic?

A Fascinating Fact Catch the reader’s attention with an interesting fact about your topic. “Yellow fever causes 200,000 illnesses and 30,000 deaths every year in unvaccinated populations.”

An Anecdote Beginning a story with a quick anecdote (a short and amusing or interesting account), can draw in readers. The anecdote must be interesting and must closely illustrate the article’s broader point. If you use this approach, specificity and concrete details are essential and the broader significance of the anecdote should be explained within the first few sentences following the lead.

Give a Definition Open with a definition of the term you are discussing. It can be your own or it can come from a dictionary or a textbook. If you take it from a dictionary or textbook, be sure to use quotation marks. Webster’s dictionary defines “epidemic” as “affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease in not permanently prevalent.”

2. Context The next thing that a successful introductory paragraph needs is context. Just like context clues help us figure out the meaning of a word, context in the first paragraph provides the reader with the important information that they need to know to understand the topic and also provides the reader information related to why you personally felt the need to write this essay.

3. Thesis The final component of a successful introductory paragraph is the thesis. The thesis is going to explain your primary purpose/argument related to writing the essay. Your thesis should state your position on the topic that you will support with evidence in your body paragraphs. Provide major points to be discussed in the body paragraph.