HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH 1 A Mini-Lesson

W HEN YOU WRITE AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH, KEEP IN MIND THAT... Writing an introductory paragraph is like greeting someone. The paragraph should be short & to the point like saying, “Hello!” Don’t get into the meat of the essay… yet. Give audience a concise idea of your essay’s purpose. It is one of the most important paragraphs of the essay. Include TAGS (Title, Author, Genre, Setting) Needs to do three things: Create a hook/lead/engaging intro. Briefly introduce the topic State thesis with 3 reasons 2

L ET US CONSIDER DIFFERENT TYPES OF INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS... General statement introduction Question introduction Factual/Quotation introduction Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring

EXAMPLES OF GENERAL STATEMENT INTRODUCTIONS: Almost every time that you turn on the television you will find a number of shows which are extremely violent. Many public schools have decided that their students should wear uniforms. In the United States of America, the public burning of our flag has become a common sight. (These are three different examples of how you can begin your introduction. Notice that in the first sentence you simply introduce the topic. You do not state your position yet.) 4

EXAMPLES OF QUESTION INTRODUCTIONS: Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence on prime time television? Do you think that to improve our public school education the students should be required to wear uniforms? Should we allow citizens to burn the United States flag in public? 5

FACTUAL INTRODUCTIONS: A recent article in Time magazine states that the viewing of extremely violent television shows is the number one cause of violence in our inner cities. The Chicago Tribune recently conducted a study and concluded that students in public schools where uniforms are mandatory have less problems and perform better academically. A recent article in The Austin Statesman states that most Americans are very much against flag burning in public and are in favor of passing a law banning this activity. 6 QUOTATION INTRODUCTION: “Hades raised an eyebrow. When he sat forward in his throne, shadowy faces appeared in the folds of his black robes, faces of torment, as if the garment was stitched of trapped souls from the Fields of Punishment, trying to get out” (124).

IN THE NEXT FOUR SLIDES YOU WILL VIEW COMPLETED INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS. 7

GENERAL STATEMENT INTRODUCTION: Today smoking is an issue which is on everybody’s mind. The whole country is divided on this issue. Some people believe that smoking should be banned everywhere while others are not so harsh. However, tobacco should be outlawed because smoking endangers everyone’s health, pollutes the environment, and drains us of valuable energy. Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring

QUESTION INTRODUCTION: Have you ever sat peacefully trying to read or do your homework while sensing puffs of smoke blowing in your direction? The entire country is divided on whether smoking should be banned. Some people believe that it is a free country and they should have the right to smoke while others believe that it causes damage and should be banned second hand smoke. Smoking should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health, pollutes the environment, and it drains us of valuable energy. 9

QUOTATION INTRODUCTION: “Smoking is the greatest threat to our health,” states an article in T he Chicago Tribune (19). The entire country is divided on whether smoking should be banned. Some people believe that it is a free country and they should have the right to smoke while others believe that it causes damage and should be banned second hand smoke. Tobacco should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health, pollutes the environment, and drains valuable resources. 10

QUOTATION INTRODUCTION: “Hades raised an eyebrow. When he sat forward in his throne, shadowy faces appeared in the folds of his black robes, faces of torment, as if the garment was stitched of trapped souls from the Fields of Punishment, trying to get out” (124). This modern interpretation of Hades in the fantasy series T he Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is significantly different from the original Greek myth passed down through the ages. Set in modern day United States and not ancient Greece, Riordan makes significant changes to appeal to today’s readers. Riordan modernizes ancient Greek characters of Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon by modifying their appearances, altering their personalities, and including them in new settings. 11