+ Introductory Paragraphs: Step by Step.

+ ESSAY MONSTER!!

+ Step one: Developing a hook sentence Hooks/Leads: The hook or lead is the first sentence in the introductory paragraph. It should grab the reader’s attention and make the reader want to keep reading. There are many different ways to use hooks to grab the readers attention.

+ Step one: A Question Bad example: What is equality? This is a bad example because the reader could answer this question with very little to no thought. It doesn’t connect the reader to the topic. When writing a question, try to create a picture in the reader’s mind. Use the words who, what, when, where, why, is, how or are at the beginning of the sentence. The question should be a “think” question and not one that can be answered with a single word. Good example: Are today’s young women and men more skeptical of authority than their parents were and more inclined to rebel against conformity? This is a good example because it gets the reader thinking deeper. There is no right or wrong to this question.

+ Step one: A Surprising Fact Good example: There are some 2 billion TV sets used in the USA today. This example is a surprising fact that not too many people know. It would also be a great way to lead into a topic about television today. This type of hook is used to draw the reader and to introduce a topic. The fact should have something to do with what you will be discussing in the essay.

+ Step one: Anecdote An anecdote is a little story. Begin a paper by relating a small story that leads into the topic of your paper. Your story should be a small episode, not a full blow story with characters and plot setting. If you do it right, your story will capture the reader’s interest so that he or she will continue to read your paper. One caution: be sure that your story does not take over the paper. Remember, it is an introduction, not the paper. Good example: Mike Cantlon remembers coming across his fist auction ten years ago while cruising the back roads of Wisconsin. He parked his car and wandered into the crowd, toward the auctioneer’s singsong chant and wafting smell of barbecued sandwiches. Hours later, Cantlon emerged lugging a $22 beam drill-for constructing post-and-beam barns—and a passion for auctions that has clung like a cockleur on an old saddle blanket. “It’s an addiction”, says Cantlon, a dinancial planner and one of the growing number of auction fanatics for whom Saturdays will never be the same. In this article the author explains what auctions are, how to spot bargains in auctions, what to protect yourself from at auctions, and other facts about auctions and the people who go to them.

+ Step one: Original Definition Good example: The Webster dictionary defines bravery as having courage when facing an obstacle. I feel the Logan family shows the characteristic over and over again in the book Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. This would be a great hook sentence to start off an essay that uses the theme of bravery throughout to prove or characterize the Logan family. This technique tends to work the best if you are discussing a theme throughout your essay. When using this technique, make sure to pick a word that fits in with the story/essay and you can refer back to.

+ Step one: Famous Quotation Good example: “Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school”, stated Albert Einstein. This essay would go on to discuss the issue of whether or not to have school all year long. You can use this technique when you are writing about that specific person who said the quote. You can also use this technique to introduce an idea/topic that the essay will be covering. The quote should have relevance to the topic of the essay.

+ Step one: Onomatopoeia Good example: BANG! SCREECH! CRASH! These were the only sounds I could make out as my brother fell to the ground from his bike. After this sentence you would reflect on the beginning of that day and start over in your story. This technique may be used most in narrative writing, however can be used in all types of writing as well. It helps to catch the readers attention with words that represent an action in the story.

+ Step one: Dialogue Good example: “Don’t worry,” my mom said, “you’ll get used to sixth grade after the first week.” At the beginning of the day I thought she was right, sixth grade wasn’t so bad, but then I met my language arts teacher. This technique is used to get the readers attention Sometimes the dialogue starts in the middle of the story, however it could be dialogue from any part of your story.

+ Step two: Bridge Statement A Bridge statement is a smooth transition between your hook and the rest of your introductory paragraph. This statement is where you tie in the purpose of the hook you chose and how it relates to the rest of the paragraph. “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” This quote by Eleanor Roosevelt depicts what type of people participate in gossip.

+ Step three: Focus Statement A focus statement is the topic or subject of your essay written as a complete sentence. The focus statement should not be confused with a thesis statement. The focus statement should be a board, general view of the topic, should be a commonly held belief or fact and it should not express opinion. Good example: Many schools are finding ways to provide healthy school lunch selections for students.

+ Caution!

+ I don’t want this to be me:

+ Step four: Stating your thesis statement A thesis statement is one of the most important sentences in an essay. YOU CANNOT WRITE AN ESSAY WITHOUT ONE. To qualify as a thesis statement it must state what you believe and be a complete sentence. Presents your opinions or thoughts on a subject or an issue. Must contain a subject and an opinion. If you do not give your opinion on the topic, then it is just a general statement NOT a thesis statement. TIP: A thesis statement should never contain the following: in my opinion, I think, I believe, etc. Tell them that the entire thesis represents what they believe. However, it may be helpful for students to begin their thesis statement rough draft with in my opinion, I believe, or I think to make sure they are expressing their thoughts or opinion on a specific subject or issue. When writing the final draft, simply eliminate those phrases.

+ Step four: Stating your thesis statement A good thesis statement is short and simple: it should be no longer than one sentence, regardless of essay length. Good example: Success is a result of doing the right things consistently. Bad example: In a world full of success gurus and book about success, it becomes ever so more important to delineate the one trait that ultimately determines success: doing the right things consistently. A good thesis statement is limited to one main idea. Good example: The key to successful dieting is focusing on a specific goal. Bad example: The key to successful dieting is focusing on a specific goal, which is also the key to successfully running a business and coaching a football team.

+ Step four: Stating your thesis statement A good thesis statement is a declarative sentence with no qualifiers (might, maybe, perhaps, etc.) Good example: Lebron James’ ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league’s most valuable player. Bad example: Does Lebron James’ ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league’s most valuable player? Bad example: Lebron James’ ability to score, pass, and rebound just might make him the league’s most valuable player.

+ Practice time… On a topic of your choice, using these three steps, practice writing an introduction paragraph.