2. How to Write an Introduction EN47

3. The Basic Components of an Introduction grabbergrabber backgroundbackground thesisthesis blueprintblueprint grabbergrabber backgroundbackground thesisthesis blueprintblueprint

4. The Intro Should...... get the reader's interest so that he or she will want to read more.... let the reader know what the writing is going to be about.... get the reader's interest so that he or she will want to read more.... let the reader know what the writing is going to be about.

5. Getting the Reader’s Attention Professional writers use five basic grab patterns to grab a reader's interest: historical review anecdotal surprising statement famous person declarative Professional writers use five basic grab patterns to grab a reader's interest: historical review anecdotal surprising statement famous person declarative

6. But I’m not a professional writer!

7. No worries - all writers can use these basic patterns.

8. Historical Review Some topics are better understood if a brief historical review of the topic is presented to lead into the topic of the paper. EX: "a biographical sketch of a war hero“ or "an upcoming execution of a convicted criminal." Some topics are better understood if a brief historical review of the topic is presented to lead into the topic of the paper. EX: "a biographical sketch of a war hero“ or "an upcoming execution of a convicted criminal."

9. EX: The victory brought pure elation and joy. It was May 1954, just days after the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. At NAACP headquarters in New York the mood was euphoric. Telegrams of congratulations poured in from around the world; reporters and well-wishers crowded the halls. [After reaching back forty years ago to bring up the landmark Supreme Court decision that started school desegregation, this article discusses school segregation in the present time.] from "Integration Turns 40" by Juan Williams in Modern Maturity, April/May, 1994. EX: The victory brought pure elation and joy. It was May 1954, just days after the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. At NAACP headquarters in New York the mood was euphoric. Telegrams of congratulations poured in from around the world; reporters and well-wishers crowded the halls. [After reaching back forty years ago to bring up the landmark Supreme Court decision that started school desegregation, this article discusses school segregation in the present time.] from "Integration Turns 40" by Juan Williams in Modern Maturity, April/May, 1994.

10. Anecdotal An anecdote is a little story. Begin a paper by relating a small story that leads into the topic of your paper. Your story should be a small episode, not a full blown story with characters and plot and setting. An anecdote is a little story. Begin a paper by relating a small story that leads into the topic of your paper. Your story should be a small episode, not a full blown story with characters and plot and setting.

11. I can see it now: I am walking home from school down Eighth Street as a crowd pours out from the newly built Cardinal’s stadium. On my way, I am nearly hit by a speeding car, right after two homeless people ask me for money. I continue further and see heaps of garbage littering the streets from the many football fans. Jessica Kentgen January 14, 1998 I can see it now: I am walking home from school down Eighth Street as a crowd pours out from the newly built Cardinal’s stadium. On my way, I am nearly hit by a speeding car, right after two homeless people ask me for money. I continue further and see heaps of garbage littering the streets from the many football fans. Jessica Kentgen January 14, 1998

12. Surprising Statement Also called a bold statement. There are many ways a statement can surprise a reader. Sometimes the statement is surprising because it is disgusting. Sometimes it is joyful. Also called a bold statement. There are many ways a statement can surprise a reader. Sometimes the statement is surprising because it is disgusting. Sometimes it is joyful.

13. Sometimes it is shocking. Sometimes it is surprising because of who said it. Sometimes it is surprising because it includes profanity. Sometimes it is shocking. Sometimes it is surprising because of who said it. Sometimes it is surprising because it includes profanity.

14. Have a minute? Good. Because that may be all it takes to save the life of a child—your child. Accidents kill nearly 8000 children under age 15 each year. And for every fatality, 42 more children are admitted to hospitals for treatment. Yet such deaths and injuries can be avoided through these easy steps parents can take right now. You don't have a minute to lose. from "60 Seconds That Could Save Your Child" by Cathy Perlmutter with Maureen Sangiorgio in Prevention, September, 1993. Have a minute? Good. Because that may be all it takes to save the life of a child—your child. Accidents kill nearly 8000 children under age 15 each year. And for every fatality, 42 more children are admitted to hospitals for treatment. Yet such deaths and injuries can be avoided through these easy steps parents can take right now. You don't have a minute to lose. from "60 Seconds That Could Save Your Child" by Cathy Perlmutter with Maureen Sangiorgio in Prevention, September, 1993.

15. Famous Person Dropping the name of a famous person at the beginning of a paper usually gets the reader's attention. It may be something that person said (a quote) or something he or she did that can be presented as an interest grabber. Dropping the name of a famous person at the beginning of a paper usually gets the reader's attention. It may be something that person said (a quote) or something he or she did that can be presented as an interest grabber.

16. The famous person may be dead or alive, good or bad. Of course, this person's name, words, or actions must be relevant to the topic. The famous person may be dead or alive, good or bad. Of course, this person's name, words, or actions must be relevant to the topic.

17. The most widely read writer in America today is not Stephen King, Michael Chrichton or John Grisham. It's Margaret Milner Richardson, the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, whose name appears on the "1040 Forms and Instructions" booklet. I doubt that Margaret wrote the entire 1040 pamphlet, but the annual introductory letter, "A Note from the Commissioner," bears her signature. from "Dear Taxpayer" by Will Manley in Booklist, May 1, 1993.

18. Declarative Use this technique carefully. In this pattern, the writer simply states straight out the topic of his paper. A declarative grabber is usually the thesis statement. Use this technique carefully. In this pattern, the writer simply states straight out the topic of his paper. A declarative grabber is usually the thesis statement.

19. Schools should be based on books – not looks!

20. Fact Sometimes factual information is the best way to begin. A fact should be something that can be proven, not just common knowledge. Sometimes factual information is the best way to begin. A fact should be something that can be proven, not just common knowledge.

21. The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise. http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/obesity_in_children_and_teen s The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise. http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/obesity_in_children_and_teen s

22. Statistics Data, numbers, percentages – for some topics, a statistic is the best way to begin. When using data, it is best to cite your source. Data, numbers, percentages – for some topics, a statistic is the best way to begin. When using data, it is best to cite your source.

23. Television plays too great a role in the lives of American children. 71% of 8- to 18-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom [1a]; 54% have a DVD/VCR player, 37% have cable/satellite TV, and 20% have premium channels [2].[1a][2] [1a] Rideout VJ, Foehr UG, Roberts DF. Generation M2: media in the lives of 8- 18 year-olds. Kaiser Family Foundation. January 2010. Available at: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/8010.pdf. Accessed 30 June 2010. http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/8010.pdf [2] Roberts DF, Foehr UG, Rideout V. Generation M: media in the lives of 8-18 year-olds. Kaiser Family Foundation. March 2005. Television plays too great a role in the lives of American children. 71% of 8- to 18-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom [1a]; 54% have a DVD/VCR player, 37% have cable/satellite TV, and 20% have premium channels [2].[1a][2] [1a] Rideout VJ, Foehr UG, Roberts DF. Generation M2: media in the lives of 8- 18 year-olds. Kaiser Family Foundation. January 2010. Available at: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/8010.pdf. Accessed 30 June 2010. http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/8010.pdf [2] Roberts DF, Foehr UG, Rideout V. Generation M: media in the lives of 8-18 year-olds. Kaiser Family Foundation. March 2005.

24. Background Information similar to historical review it provides information necessary to understanding the issue a bit like exposition in literature similar to historical review it provides information necessary to understanding the issue a bit like exposition in literature

25. Thesis Statement the main idea (focus) or your essay Many writers think of a thesis statement as an umbrella: everything that you carry along in your essay has to fit under this umbrella.

26. The thesis statement should remain flexible until the paper is actually finished. It ought to be one of the last things that we fuss with in the rewriting process. The thesis statement should remain flexible until the paper is actually finished. It ought to be one of the last things that we fuss with in the rewriting process.

27. The thesis statement usually appears near the beginning of a paper. It can be the first sentence of an essay (declarative), but that can feel like a simplistic, unexciting beginning. It more frequently appears at or near the end of the first paragraph or two. The thesis statement usually appears near the beginning of a paper. It can be the first sentence of an essay (declarative), but that can feel like a simplistic, unexciting beginning. It more frequently appears at or near the end of the first paragraph or two.

28. AvoidAvoid announcing the thesis statement as if it were a thesis statement. In other words, avoid using phrases such as "The purpose of this paper is.... " or "In this paper, I will attempt to...."

29. Blueprint sets up the framework for your essay can be part of the thesis statement or stand alone is usually in three parts sets up the framework for your essay can be part of the thesis statement or stand alone is usually in three parts

30. I am fully against the idea of building a stadium and convention center in Mesa. My reasons include: the extravagant cost and the may financial problems it will cause, decreased value in surrounding residential areas, and the many forms of pollution which will arise from the project. Jessica Kentgen January 14, 1998 I am fully against the idea of building a stadium and convention center in Mesa. My reasons include: the extravagant cost and the may financial problems it will cause, decreased value in surrounding residential areas, and the many forms of pollution which will arise from the project. Jessica Kentgen January 14, 1998

31. NOT Things NOT to do in an introductory paragraph:

32. Apologize. Never suggest that you don't know what you're talking about or that your opinion doesn’t matter.. Avoid phrases like the following: –In my [humble] opinion... –I'm not sure about this, but... Apologize. Never suggest that you don't know what you're talking about or that your opinion doesn’t matter.. Avoid phrases like the following: –In my [humble] opinion... –I'm not sure about this, but...

33. Announce your intentions. Do not flatly announce what you are about to do in an essay. –In this paper I will... –The purpose of this essay is to... Announce your intentions. Do not flatly announce what you are about to do in an essay. –In this paper I will... –The purpose of this essay is to...

34. Use a dictionary or encyclopedia definition. –According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary,a widget is... Although definitions are extremely useful and it might serve your purpose to devise your own definition(s) later in the essay, you want to avoid using this hackneyed beginning to an essay. Use a dictionary or encyclopedia definition. –According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary,a widget is... Although definitions are extremely useful and it might serve your purpose to devise your own definition(s) later in the essay, you want to avoid using this hackneyed beginning to an essay.

35. Dilly-dally. Get to it. Move confidently into your essay.

36. http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/gram mar/intros.htm