Argumentative Essay: Introductions

Introductory Paragraph Do not start with the thesis (claim). The introduction LEADS to the thesis (claim), so the thesis (claim) comes last.

Parts of an Intro Paragraph Hook/Intro strategy. Transitioning Thesis (claim) Statement

Intro Strategy Background: present background information to set up the topic. – Since the days of oral story telling, authors have used their stories and characters to either present their views of love, or how love should be experienced. Correction: Tell your reader that you are going to correct a common misconception. – Although many students believe they will never…they will realize eventually that…

Intro Strategy Fact: Start with a fact that relates to your subject. – Despite popular belief, only one in five students has ever smoked pot. Question: Ask an interesting question. – At what point should parents be expected to stop infringing on a child ’ s human rights? – Would you confiscate a child ’ s voice simply because the cost to encourage it would affect your budget?

Intro Strategy List: Use a list to lead into the subject of the thesis statement. – Drugs. Alcohol. Homework. Teenagers have too much to worry about these days. Example: Give an example which ties to your thesis (anecdote). – As a teen, Wanda smoked because her friends did. Back then she could not imagine the consequences of her choice.

Intro Strategy Paradox: Start with a contradiction or puzzling idea. – It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. (Dickens) Begin with the End: Use the conclusion as a jump point for the thesis. – A happy student sat down at the cafeteria with a plate full of healthy and delicious food.

Transitioning to thesis This is just a couple of sentences that help you move from the hook to the thesis statement.

Example Introduction Since the days of oral story telling, authors have used their stories and characters to either present their views of love, or how love should be experienced. Early Victorian literature often portrayed the idyllic love and romance; Gothic literature often presented the darker views of love, while modern romance novels present the views of love through independence and strength. Each time period ’ s novels not only give information about that time period ’ s beliefs of love, it also inadvertently imparts information on how we should successfully love. A recently released series by Stephanie Meyer portrays an unusual love between a human teenage girl and a vampire. However, unlike many other love stories, the Twilight series portrays an unhealthy, and potentially dangerous view of romantic love.

Sample Intro Paragraph [Attention-Getter] After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, the debate surrounding racial profiling in airports intensified. Many people believed that profiling was the best way to identify possible terrorists, but many others worried about violations of civil liberties. While some airports began to target passengers based solely on their Middle Eastern origins, others instituted random searches instead. [Begin setting-up the thesis] Neither of these techniques seems likely to eliminate terrorism. Now many experts in the government and in airport security are recommending the use of a national ID card or Safe Traveler Card. [Thesis] If every US citizen had such a card, airlines could screen for terrorists more effectively than they do now and avoid procedures that single out individuals solely on the basis of race.

Required Format of Essay Intro with thesis/central claim as last sentence. 2 body paragraphs: 2 supporting pieces of evidence, with commentary for each 1 body paragraph for counterclaim/counter evidence and rebuttal that supports your central claim. Conclusion: wrap up, and then answer “so what” question or do a call to action. ALL EVIDENCE must be CITED: IN TEXT and in a WORKS CITED page at end.