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Introductions There is NEVER a second chance to make a first impression!

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Presentation on theme: "Introductions There is NEVER a second chance to make a first impression!"— Presentation transcript:

1 Introductions There is NEVER a second chance to make a first impression!

2 Effective Introductions Effective beginning paragraphs convince the reader to read on. They capture the reader’s interest and set the tone for the essay. In an five paragraph essay, the introduction is usually one paragraph. However, in longer essays the introduction can be carried through three or four paragraphs. (Note: When you get to graduate school, and it’s time to write your thesis/dissertation, your introduction may be about 15 pages long? *smile*)

3 Road Map for your Essay! Your introduction is supposed to convey important information to your readers. In this section you will: let them know what the topic is, why it is important, and provide a map of how you will explain/discuss/analyze /argue your points.

4 Outline for Introductions 1.Attention Grabber 2.Discussion/Background of Topic 3.Lead-in Sentence to Thesis (your claim) 4.Thesis Statement

5 Attention Grabber This sentence(s) is used to capture the reader’s attention. Some common attention grabbers: A question: How important is the Bible? A Hard-Hitting Fact: Approximately 80% of rape victims know their attackers. A Quotation: Martin Luther King Jr, wrote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (“Letter from Birmingham Jail”). Anecdote: An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point. My mom walked into the house with a smile on her face. However, as she passed each room my brother and sister had not cleaned, her face went from happy, to surprised, to shock, to anger. In that moment, we understood the words “the grits have hit the fan.” Note: Dictionary definitions are not good attention grabbers. Don’t use them.

6 Attention Grabber: What is a drunk driver?

7 Discussion/Background on Topic Many students will write an introduction with an attention grabber and a thesis. However, how can you make a claim about a topic without first discussing the topic, or better yet explaining the topic to your reader. In this section provide information on the topic. Always remember your reader may not be aware of your topic. This is your chance to briefly (in a five paragraph essay) provide some background for your topic. This will your reader a greater sense of the importance of your topic.

8 Discussion/Background: In California it’s a person with a blood alcohol content of.08 percent or more who is operating a motor vehicle. What do those drivers do? Some of them kill. Every year –in California and other cities across the nation—more than 16, 000 people die nationwide.

9 Lead-in Sentence(s) This section of your introduction acts as a bridge. Here you want to create a conduit between your discussion/background and your thesis. This sentence(s) should help the reader put the pieces together. In other words, the reader should be able to see the point/claim you will be making about your topic. *Note: The reader will only be able to do this if you have effectively discussed your topic.

10 Lead-in Sentence(s) These are startling statistics. In fact, these numbers prove that stringent laws and harsher punishment for offenders of these laws need to be put in place.

11 Thesis Statement Your thesis statement is your main idea. The thesis statement is a claim you are making about a particular topic. (Note: The power point ‘Thesis Statements’ will provide more detailed information.) It should be specific. It should make an assertion. It should fit the purpose of the assignment.

12 Thesis Drunk drivers should be controlled by federal laws with strong provisions.

13 Putting it all together! What is a drunk driver? In California it’s a person with a blood alcohol content of.08 percent or more who is operating a motor vehicle. What do those drivers do? Some of them kill. Every year more than 16, 000 people die nationwide. These are startling statistics. In fact, these numbers prove that stringent laws and harsher punishment for offenders of these laws need to be put in place. Drunk drivers should be controlled by federal laws with strong provisions.

14 Check out this sample introduction. Hip hop music is a creative expression art form that gradually destroyed its allure since its conception into the world. The music’s origin is the late nineteen seventies, South Bronx suburb of New York, when local graffiti artist initiated vocalizing their points of view over a beat played by a disc jockey. The music sprawled into a phenomenon, thriving across the Unites States and the world in thirty years, before being reduced to a commercial marketing product. Hip hop music has traded its creative energy and historical value for billion dollar profits in a global economy.


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