1. Introduction and Attention Grabbing Leads
Purpose:
Immediately hook your reader and get your reader’s attention.
Give your reader some background information on your topic
Frames your thesis.

2. ABT: Pieces to a Knockout Introduction Paragraph
1) Attention Grabbing lead:
2) Bridge
Bridge between the attention grabbing lead to the thesis. (Links/transitions the lead to the thesis statement.)
3) Thesis Statement:
Main argument of your essay: 3 specific reasons, 1 sentence

3. A: Attention Grabbing Leads
Paint the Picture – Set up a scene or story in just a few sentences to connect with the reader, explain your point, and add interest.
Statistic or Shocking Fact – Add facts and statistics to surprise and invoke curiosity, confusion, frustration, or any other feelings which make the audience want to read more.

4. Paint the Picture:
Paint a picture– vivid details create a vision for the reader to imagine. Give a brief example to create situations of empathy/sympathy.
Relevant - (relates to the topic).
Specific details - (the more specific details are, the more engaging the hook).

5. Paint the Picture Examples
Top quality example:
The internet is an easy and accessible place for bullying among teens, with aggressive messaging and a lack of consequences for negative communication. One nasty posting can quickly be shared with hundreds of others, creating a ripple/domino effect. The underlying negative message gets magnified, often with damaging results.
Poor quality example: Facebook bullying is bad and gets out of control.

6. Paint the Picture HONOR Examples
Top quality example:
The internet realm is a fertile breeding ground for
bullying among teens, with aggressive messaging
and a lack of consequences for hostile communication.
One nasty posting can quickly be shared with
hundreds of others, creating a ripple effect which
magnifies the underlying negative message, often
with damaging effects.
Poor quality example: Facebook bullying is bad and gets out of control.

7. Statistic or Shocking Fact:
Shocking facts and statistics are used to surprise and invoke curiosity, frustration, or any other feelings which make the audience want to read more.
The fact/ statistic is true (believable).
The source of the fact is given or credibility is established. This is done by providing credentials.

8. Examples of Statistics or Shocking Facts:
Top Quality Example:
According to National Geographic, “Over 1.5 billion people do not have access to clean, safe water.”
Poor Quality Example:
85% of the families who have dirty drinking water in New Haven say they don’t like it.

9. B: Build the Bridge!
Sentence which smoothes the way between your attention-grabbing lead and the thesis.
(= transition sentence!!!)
AG Lead Thesis= INTRO

10. Standard Intro Example
A: The internet is an easy and accessible place for bullying among teens, with aggressive messaging and a lack of consequences for negative communication. One nasty posting can quickly be shared with hundreds of others, creating a ripple effect which magnifies the underlying negative message, often with damaging effects.
B: Across America, much attention is
being focused on how to solve the problem of
online bullying.
T: Schools should create a formal discipline
plan for online bullying because it would
clearly define unacceptable behavior, ensure
students’ safety online, and build a stronger
sense of student community.

11. B: Across America, much attention is
A: The internet realm is a fertile breeding ground for bullying among teens, with aggressive messaging and a lack of consequences for hostile communication. One nasty posting can quickly be shared with hundreds of others, creating a ripple effect which magnifies the underlying negative message, often with damaging effects.
B: Across America, much attention is
being focused on how to solve the problem of
online bullying.
T: Schools should create a formal discipline
plan for online bullying because it would
clearly define unacceptable behavior, ensure
students’ safety online, and build a stronger
sense of student community. (honors)

12. A: According to National Geographic, “Over 1
A: According to National Geographic, “Over 1.5 billion people do not have access to clean, safe water.” B: Many people suffer from illnesses associated with dirty drinking water, and so it is important that corrective steps be taken to provide relief. T: America should invest in helping provide clean drinking water to developing nations because technological advances have lessened cost, it brings political stability, and prevents avoidable death and suffering for millions.