1. Introductory Paragraphs
Different ways to write the words your audience wants to read

2. Methods for introduction
anecdote,
quote,
extraordinary fact,
common ground,
definition of term,
brief explanation to establish context
….or any combination of these tactics

3. Topic:
What is the most valued profession in modern times?

4. Anecdote
Johnny was so excited! While driving back to his hometown, cap and gown hung in the back seat of his tiny hatchback, all he could think was how proud she would be. As he walked through the double doors, that used to be so daunting, he paused and breathed. It still smells the same, he thought. He checked in with security and received his visitor’s badge, his precious document held tightly at his side. When he finally arrived at his destination, he let his smile break through. “Mrs. Lu!” he exclaimed, “Look! I did it! I graduated with a college degree!” tears filled his eyes and he prayed he would make it through his rehearsed speech without his voice cracking. “You are the reason I went to college.” he whispered, “Because you believed in me, I began to believe in myself.” Johnny is not the only child who has been bolstered and held up by a teacher’s dedication and expertise. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

5. Anecdote-coded
Johnny was so excited! While driving back to his hometown, cap and gown hung in the back seat of his tiny hatchback, all he could think was how proud she would be. As he walked through the double doors, that used to be so daunting, he paused and breathed. It still smells the same, he thought. He checked in with security and received his visitor’s badge, his precious document held tightly at his side. When he finally arrived at his destination, he let his smile break through. “Mrs. Lu!” he exclaimed, “Look! I did it! I graduated with a college degree!” tears filled his eyes and he prayed he would make it through his rehearsed speech without his voice cracking. “You are the reason I went to college.” he whispered, “Because you believed in me, I began to believe in myself.” Johnny is not the only child who has been bolstered and held up by a teacher’s dedication and expertise. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

6. Quote
Henry Brooks Adams said, “Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.” Many people across America credit some teacher or even more than one teacher for giving them the inspiration, support, or encouragement to achieve their dreams. Teachers stay in classrooms for decades touching the lives of future doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, and even future teachers. Teaching as a profession is much more than managing young people and memorizing content. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

7. Quote-coded
Henry Brooks Adams said, “Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.” Many people across America credit some teacher or even more than one teacher for giving them the inspiration, support, or encouragement to achieve their dreams. Teachers stay in classrooms for decades touching the lives of future doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, and even future teachers. Teaching as a profession is much more than managing young people and memorizing content. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

8. Extraordinary Fact
Teachers eat lunch in the same amount of time as students. “Leaving campus for lunch is frowned upon, and I must have express permission from my administrator to do so… Once I’ve scarfed down our food, we hope to run copies, but often find ourselves running from one end of the school to another, trying to find a copier that is not jamming or out of toner” (Webb). It is difficult to see why in the world would anyone put up with this kind of hurried existence, unless you, yourself are a teacher. Teachers stay in classrooms for decades touching the lives of future doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, and even future teachers. Teaching as a profession is much more than managing young people and memorizing content. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

9. Extraordinary Fact-coded
Teachers eat lunch in the same amount of time as students. “Leaving campus for lunch is frowned upon, and I must have express permission from my administrator to do so… Once I’ve scarfed down our food, we hope to run copies, but often find ourselves running from one end of the school to another, trying to find a copier that is not jamming or out of toner” (Webb). It is difficult to see why in the world would anyone put up with this kind of hurried existence, unless that person is called to be a teacher. Teachers stay in classrooms for decades touching the lives of future doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, and even future teachers. Teaching as a profession is much more than managing young people and memorizing content. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

10. Establish Common Ground
Americans have the most well-run and standardized educational system in the world. Whether a student lives in Texas or Alaska, schools operate in similar ways. Most of this routine and stability exists because excellent teachers give students the framework to be stable, self-sufficient, and successful. Teachers stay in classrooms for decades touching the lives of future doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, and even future teachers. Teaching as a profession is much more than managing young people and memorizing content. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

11. Establish Common Ground-coded
Americans have the most well-run and standardized educational system in the world. Whether a student lives in Texas or Alaska, schools operate in similar ways. Most of this routine and stability exists because excellent teachers give students the framework to be stable, self-sufficient, and successful. Teachers stay in classrooms for decades touching the lives of future doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, and even future teachers. Teaching as a profession is much more than managing young people and memorizing content. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

12. Definition of Term
Google dictionary defines teacher as, “teach·er ˈtēCHər/-noun-a person who teaches, especially in a school.” Many people across America credit some teacher or even more than one teacher for giving them the inspiration, support, or encouragement to achieve their dreams. Teachers stay in classrooms for decades touching the lives of future doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, and even future teachers. Teaching as a profession is much more than managing young people and memorizing content. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

13. Definition of Term-coded
Google dictionary defines teacher as, “teach·er ˈtēCHər/-noun-a person who teaches, especially in a school.” Many people across America credit some teacher or even more than one teacher for giving them the inspiration, support, or encouragement to achieve their dreams. Teachers stay in classrooms for decades touching the lives of future doctors, lawyers, politicians, plumbers, and even future teachers. Teaching as a profession is much more than managing young people and memorizing content. Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

14. Brief Explanation
Many people would have vastly different answers to someone asking them to name the most important profession in our modern times. Depending on their background, socioeconomic status, current job situation, and even their friends’ and family members’ jobs, the answer given from any average American would run the gamut of options. However, if all occupations are examined closely, they all have one aspect in common: there are teachers to teach aspiring career holders in every discipline, trade, occupation, or career. Whether completing on the job training or enrolling in formal collegiate educational programs, teaching is a vital requirement for every career option available today! Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

15. Brief Explanation-coded
Many people would have vastly different answers to someone asking them to name the most important profession in our modern times. Depending on their background, socioeconomic status, current job situation, and even their friends’ and family members’ jobs, the answer given from any average American would run the gamut of options. However, if all occupations are examined closely, they all have one aspect in common: there are teachers to teach aspiring career holders in every discipline, trade, occupation, or career. Whether completing on the job training or enrolling in formal collegiate educational programs, teaching is a vital requirement for every career option available today! Because of the dedication and loyalty required, and the high potential for impacting students’ lives, teaching is the greatest profession in our modern times.

16. Your turn
What techniques and methods will you use to bring your audience into your argument?
Use the rest of class as independent work time to craft your introductory paragraph.