1. Effective Introductions
English III

2. Effective Introductions
Two major elements you must ALWAYS keep in mind before accomplishing any writing task are:
Purpose
Audience

3. Purpose Three tasks that introductory paragraphs must accomplish are:
Getting the reader’s attention
Providing any necessary background information
Specifically explaining your topic and attitude towards it

4. Resources
Two important resources you will need to accomplish these tasks are:
Attention grabber as the first sentence
Thesis statement

5. Structure The structure of an introductory paragraph includes:
An attention grabbing sentence
General information about the topic
Specific information about the topic
Thesis statement
**Remember the structure as an inverted triangle (least specific to most specific).

6. Avoiding Errors NEVER announce your intentions.
Example: “In this essay, I am going to tell you why friendship is important.”
NEVER use a dictionary definition.
Example: “According to Webster’s dictionary, friendship is a noun that means the state of being friendly.”

7. Avoiding Errors NEVER appear uncertain about your topic.
Example: “I agree that Facebook is addicting and usage should be limited, but I like it so I would be angry if I had to stop using it so much.”

8. Attention Grabbers Methods to grab your reader’s attention include:
Stating a fact or statistic
(“Most people establish lifelong friendships between the ages of 15 and 25.”)
Anecdotal or compelling story
(“Doris and Carolyn met when they were only 17. Now, they are both 75 years old and have been through multiple, joyful births and the heart wrenching deaths of their husbands. With happiness, there is also sadness, yet Doris and Carolyn have cherished their lifelong friendship.”)

9. Attention Grabbers A relevant quotation
(“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”)
The writer’s attitude toward the subject
(“Friendship is a key element to sustaining a happy, healthy social life.”)