1. Introductions & Thesis Statements
Creating Effective
Introductions & Thesis Statements
Mrs. Keener, English 11
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

2. Introduction The Introduction should catch the reader’s attention!
Methods for introduction:
An unusual detail: Manitoba, because of its cold climate, is not thought of as a great place to be a reptile. Actually, it has the largest seasonal congregation of garter snakes in the world!
A strong statement: Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada!
A quotation: Elbert Hubbard once said, "Truth is stranger than fiction."
An anecdote (short story): An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point.
A statistic or fact: Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your topic. It may be wise to include the item's authoritative source.
An exaggeration or outrageous statement. The whole world waited for the meteor to collide with earth.

3. Thesis Statement
The last sentence of the introduction should be the thesis statement.
3 objectives of a thesis statement:
It tells the reader the specific topic of your essay.
It imposes manageable limits on that topic.
It suggests the organization of your paper.
Through the thesis, you should say to the reader: "I've thought about this topic, I know what I believe about it, and I know how to organize it.“
A complex sentence is a good formula for a thesis statement.
Examples:
Even though Rosa Parks was arrested for her civil disobedience, her actions sparked one of the most important movements in American history.
Because of Rosa Parks’ upbringing, she was unafraid to stand up to discrimination and lead the Civil Rights Movement.
Because of a tragic accident, Julia Butterfly Hill took dramatic actions that had important consequences for the environmental movement.