1. Anecdotal Introduction Use on Expository AND Persuasive Essays for AIMS Hmmmm. My thoughts were a jumble as I looked at Jenna, the young girl sitting across from me. “Smack…smack…smack.” It was easy to see why she did not speak clearly; the huge wad of bubble gum she chomped during the interview was impeding conversation. In addition, she had a Big Gulp and her cell phone on my desk and continually checked her text messages while we talked! Clearly, this prospective employee did not understand the first thing about employment. She lacks the very qualities I am seeking. My employee must be well-mannered, punctual, and dedicated.

2. Anecdote (It’s just a little story!) Hmmmm. My thoughts were a jumble as I looked at Jenna, the young girl sitting across from me. “Smack…smack…smack.” It was easy to see why she did not speak clearly; the huge wad of bubble gum she chomped during the interview was impeding conversation. In addition, she had a Big Gulp and her cell phone on my desk and continually checked her text messages while we talked! TIPS for writing a good anecdote: 1.Use first person. 2.Include a name for your character. You will use the name AGAIN in your conclusion. 3.Use onomatopoeia. “smack” “hmmmmm”

3. Bridge Sentence Clearly, this prospective employee did not understand the first thing about employment. She lacks the very qualities I am seeking. TIPS for writing bridge sentence: 1.Do NOT include new information. 2.Treat as transition to thesis. This is the “bridge” (get it?!) between the anecdote and the thesis.

4. Thesis My employee must be well-mannered, punctual, and dedicated. TIPS for writing a good thesis statement: 1.Include three “parts.” 2.Make it parallel. 3.ALWAYS place it at the end of your introduction. 4.Avoid “The most important qualities are: ______, _____, ____. Yucky. 