1. The Introductory Paragraph
The Paragraph that Hooks
Your Reader
Introduction
© 2001 by Ruth Luman
References

2. Definition and Purpose
An Introduction
Definition and Purpose
An introduction is the first paragraph in your essay and
contains the thesis statement. The main purposes of an
introduction are to…
present the focus of your essay and give your
reader some general information about your
subject.
catch your reader’s attention so that he/she will
become interested in reading your essay.

3. General Information and Focus
An Introduction
General Information and Focus
An introduction always includes some
general statements about your subject and a
thesis statement that announces the focus of
your essay. The thesis statement is usually
the last sentence in the introduction because
it is the most specific. Notice how the
introduction below begins with general
information and becomes more specific.

4. General Information and Focus
An Introduction
General Information and Focus
General statements provide background
information on the focus of health care
for homeless people with HIV.
There are a number of frightening disease epidemics occurring in
the United States today, but one of the most frightening is the
epidemic spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Among the most
serious of these sexually transmitted diseases is HIV which leads to
AIDS, a fatal disease. HIV is especially problematic among
homeless people. This particular population is difficult to treat due to
a number of barriers such as, limited access to health care, mistrust
of health care professionals, and a lack of awareness of the disease,
itself.
Specific focus of
essay and thesis
statement.

5. An Introduction A Closer Look
Let’s look at that introduction again and see how the sentences
become more and more specific leading to the thesis statement.
There are a number of frightening disease epidemics occurring in the United States today, but one of the most frightening is the epidemic spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Among the most serious of these sexually transmitted diseases is HIV which leads to AIDS, a fatal disease.
General
Statements
HIV is especially problematic among homeless people.
More
Specific
This particular population is difficult to treat due to a number of barriers such as, limited access
to health care, mistrust of health care
professionals, and a lack of awareness of the
disease, itself.
Very Specific:
Thesis
Statement

6. General Information and Focus
Example #2
General Information and Focus
Here is another example of how an introduction can begin with general information and become more specific with a thesis statement at the end.

7. General Information and Focus
Example #2
General Information and Focus
General statements provide background
information on the steps the Indian
government is taking to reduce population.
Overpopulation and finding ways to reduce it are big concerns
of many developing nations today. One nation that is concerned
about this issue is India. One of the biggest causes of overpopulation
in India is the high infant mortality rate. Parents often have more
children because they are fearful that if some children die, there
won’t be enough children to take care of them in their old age. India is
taking some important steps in dealing with this problem. Some of
the steps the Indian government is taking are providing birth control
for women, improving pre-natal care, and educating women on the
benefits of having fewer children.
Specific focus of
essay and thesis
statement.

8. Example #2
A Closer Look
Look at the example below to see how the sentences in the
introduction become more and more specific leading to the
thesis statement.
General
Statements
Overpopulation and finding ways to reduce it are big concerns of many
developing nations today. One nation that is concerned about this issue is India.
One of the biggest causes of overpopulation in India is the high infant
mortality rate.
More
Specific
Parents often have more children because they are fearful that if
some children die, there won’t be enough children to take care of
them in their old age.
India is taking some important steps in dealing with this
problem. Some of the steps the Indian government is
taking are providing birth control for women, improving
pre-natal care, and educating women on the benefits
of having fewer children.
Very
Specific:
Thesis
Statement

9. Catch the Reader’s Attention
An Introduction
Catch the Reader’s Attention
In addition to stating the thesis and providing some general
information on your subject, an introduction also needs to catch a
reader’s attention and cause him/her to become interested in
reading your essay. There are several ways you can introduce
your subject and catch your reader’s attention.
Use a story or example of a personal experience.
Use a quotation.
Use a question or questions.

10. Using a Story or Personal Experience
Catching Attention
Using a Story or Personal Experience
A brief dramatic story or example can be
used to get the attention of your reader.
Look at the example below and think about
how it catches your attention.

11. Personal Story or Example
A personal story can “hook” your
reader into wanting to read more.
When the car accident happened, my brother was left with a
broken arm, leg, and hip. My mother nearly died due to head
injuries. However, we all survived due to the team of emergency
medical technicians who responded quickly to the scene and
provided us with the help we needed. After my experience of being
involved in a car accident, I saw how I could use my interest in first
aid and desire to help other people through becoming an
emergency medical technician. Now, after twenty years of work as
an EMT, I think it is the most rewarding job I could ever have and
feel that the occupation, itself, has numerous advantages over other
occupations in the health care field.
Thesis
Statement

12. Personal Story or Example
Here’s another example of how you can use a story to catch a reader’s attention in an introduction.

13. Personal Story or Example
An example of a story in the third person.
John’s parents divorced when he was in elementary school.
After the divorce, his mother had to go to work to support him and
his three sisters. This disrupted John’s home life in serious ways.
Without the constant supervision of his mother and the lack of a
father for a role-model, John began skipping school and socializing
with the wrong group of people. He eventually turned to taking
drugs and was later arrested for being a drug dealer and sent to
prison. John is not unlike other prisoners. In many prisons today,
over half of all inmates come from divorced families. Divorce can
be the catalyst that unleashes emotional problems in children
and can affect children psychologically, mentally, and socially.
Thesis
Statement

14. Catching Attention Using a Quote
Sometimes controversial or well-known
quotations can be used to surprise your
reader. Look at the example below and
notice how a quotation can be used to get
you interested in the rest of the essay.

15. Using a Quote
A well-known quotation
from American literature.
Henry David Thoreau, an American poet, once wrote, “ Our life is
frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify!” These words of advice
are difficult to follow in a society where a hectic pace of life is the
norm and the attainment of more material goods is encouraged.
However, I believe that this philosophy of living simply has quite a
bit of merit. The difficulty of following this philosophy is knowing
where we should begin. If we examine Henry David Thoreau’s life
carefully, I believe we will find a number of ways in which to simplify
our own lives and yet live richly.
(Quotation from: Watson, 1951)
Thesis
Statement

16. Quotation
Example #2
Here’s another example of how you can use a quotation to catch a reader’s attention in an introduction.

17. Quotation
Example #2
Quotation
Horace once wrote, “ Many blessings do the advancing years
bring with them.” For many senior citizens in the United States
today, old age can often come as a curse. Many older people suffer
from ill health, loneliness, and/or financial instability; however, life
in later years does not have to be this way. Many senior citizens
can experience the blessings of advancing years that Horace once
wrote about. In order to do that, let’s consider ways in which old
age actually enhances life.
(Quotation from: Watson, 1951)
Thesis Statement

18. Catching Attention Using Questions
Another way to catch your reader’s
attention is with a question. Questions can
make your reader begin thinking about the
subject in your essay.

19. Using Questions
Questions that may surprise your reader.
Have you ever run in a marathon? Most marathons are twenty
six miles. Have you ever heard of one-hundred mile marathons?
The state of Colorado hosts a one-hundred mile marathon each
year. People from all over the United States and the world run in
this marathon. Some of the top runners in this race have been
members of the Tarahumara Indian tribe in the Sierra Madre
mountains of Mexico. Tarahumaras do not train for marathons, but
their lifestyle and culture promotes, develops, and supports this
type of athletic endeavor.
Thesis Statement

20. Questions
Example #2
Here’s another example of how you can use a question to catch a reader’s attention in an introduction.
Question
Did you know that one of the eight architectural wonders of the world
is located in Cambodia? Angkor Wat is an ancient Buddhist temple that
was the center of culture and religion for the Khmer empire for several
centuries. It was only recently re-discovered by a French explorer during
the 1800’s. It has now become one of the most popular tourist attractions
in Southeast Asia. If you visit Angkor Wat, you will find much to admire in
its size, historical significance, and beauty.
Thesis Statement

21. Now, you are ready to practice what you’ve learned.
Practice Exercise
Now, you are ready to practice what you’ve learned.