Introducing… INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPHS …where the essay really begins

3 parts of an INTRODUCTION Grabber Bridge Thesis

GRABBERS PURPOSE: To draw the reader into the essay; to get the reader’s attention GRABBER NO-NOs: Questions, imagine if… statements GRABBER YES-YESes: Quote, startling statistic/fact, bold assertion, common misconception, story/anecdote/description

BRIDGE Connects the ideas of the grabber and the thesis Gives important background information on the topic In a literary analysis, typically tells the name of the novel and the author

THESIS Tells the reader what the ENTIRE essay is going to be about Answers the prompt

SAMPLE INTRODUCTION GRABBER Last July, Duke, a four-year-old labrador retriever, was dragged behind a pickup truck on a rope and left to die in the desert. WHAT MAKES THIS A GOOD GRABBER?

BRIDGE Fortunately, he was found and taken to the Humane Society where his wounds were treated and he was gradually nursed back to health. Eventually, he was adopted by Bill and Linda, a young couple who say they couldn’t imagine finding a better pet. WHAT MAKES THIS A GOOD BRIDGE?

THESIS Not all stories of animal abuse end as happily as Duke’s, but the Humane Society works hard to help all animals in distress, and it deserves your support. WHAT MAKES THIS A GOOD THESIS?

ALL TOGETHER NOW… Last July, Duke, a four-year-old labrador retriever, was dragged behind a pickup truck on a rope and left to die in the desert. Fortunately, he was found and taken to the Humane Society where his wounds were treated and he was gradually nursed back to health. Eventually, he was adopted by Bill and Linda, a young couple who say they couldn’t imagine finding a better pet. Not all stories of animal abuse end as happily as Duke’s, but the Humane Society works hard to help all animals in distress, and it deserves your support.

3 parts of a CONCLUSION Restate the Thesis in different words Broad Statement Global Statement

RE-STATE the THESIS Re-state the THESIS from your introduction paragraph using different words Should wrap up your entire essay and leave your reader with the key points in his/her mind

BROAD STATEMENT Apply ideas in the THESIS to the big picture of the story or to real life beyond the story

GLOBAL STATEMENT “So what…” statement Expand even further to tell how ideas in the THESIS relate to the real world, history, society, people, etc.

SAMPLE: Re-state THESIS The Humane Society saves thousands of mistreated or homeless animals every year and is worthy of your support.

SAMPLE: Broad Statement If it weren’t for the efforts of this organization, Duke would have never survived and Bill and Linda wouldn’t have had the years of love and enjoyment they experienced with Duke as their pet.

SAMPLE: Global Statement If everyone contributes to this organization, this nation could be free of wandering and mistreated pets, and instead be filled with happy homes of pet owners.

ALL TOGETHER NOW The Humane Society saves thousands of mistreated or homeless animals every year and is worthy of your support. If it weren’t for the efforts of this organization, Duke would have never survived and Bill and Linda wouldn’t have had the years of love and enjoyment they experienced with Duke as their pet. If everyone contributes to this organization, this nation could be free of wandering and mistreated pets, and instead be filled with happy homes of pet owners.