Strategies for Introductions ENG 1310—Rivkin

Introductions Two Purposes: Capture the reader’s interest Introduce the subject of the essay

Most strong introductions will have 3 components: Hook: Grab the reader’s interest Transition: Relate the hook to the specific subject/argument that will be considered Thesis Statement: State your central argument

Hooks… -Anecdote -Quote/Expert Opinion -Definition -Statistic/Shocker -Comparison: Take something the reader is unfamiliar with and relate it to something they are familiar with -Metaphor/Simile: making the complex seem simple -Problem/Question

What To Avoid In Hooks Generalizations and Clichés! From the beginning of time... Ever since the dawn of time... Since man first walked the earth... There are two sides to every issue. There are many controversial issues over which people disagree.

Develop your thesis statement first! Then write a paragraph that introduces it. For Example: “Students should not be required to complete core-curriculum courses outside of their major because doing so wastes a student’s time, money, and capacity to store knowledge that is more related to their course of study.”

How would you introduce this thesis with: -Anecdote? -Quote/Expert Opinion? -Definition ?

OR with: -Statistic/Shocker? -Comparison (Take something the reader is unfamiliar with and relate it to something they are familiar with)?

OR: -Metaphor/Simile (making the complex seem simple)? -Problem/Question?

Let’s Try Another Example Prompt: 1.) What should be given priority in history textbooks and classes? Why? OR 2.) When, if ever, should murderers be forgiven or their punishments commuted? 1.) Write a thesis statement. 2.) Come up with an anecdote, metaphor, comparison, Problem/Question