1. Let’s Get Introduced!

2. You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

3. The introduction of your essay is the most important part
The introduction of your essay is the most important part! The reader decides here if your paper is worth reading!

4. Let’s face it – we’ve all read essays like this:

5. Here’s some examples of what you DON’T want to do...

6. The “it” lead... The “question” lead... The “definition” lead...
“It was a beautiful day in Texas...”
The “question” lead...
“Have you ever had something
difficult happen to you?”
The “definition” lead...
“Webster’s defines thoughtful as...”
Not another
BORING
introduction!
AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!

7. Never fear. Effective introductions are here
Never fear! Effective introductions are here! There are several ways to create an introduction that immediately grabs your reader and creates connections.

8. of your story and leave the reader
Jump In!
Jump into the middle
of your story and leave the reader
wanting more...

9. What do you think about this one. “Drunk driving is very dangerous
What do you think about this one? “Drunk driving is very dangerous. It can cause accidents that kill or injure thousands of people.”
Boring!

10. Let’s try this one: “As Bob adjusts his radio, a tree appears out of nowhere too late to turn the wheel!”
Better!

11. Snapshot
Create a picture
in the reader’s mind.

12. Let’s try this one: “My worst memory was dinnertime.”
Boring!

13. How about...
“The dinner table was bare except the stingy plates of dry meatloaf and runny mashed potatoes. No one had an appetite—especially me.”
Better!

14. Ba-Da-Bing!
Start with introducing
someone’s thoughts or feelings.

15. WOW! Ba = feet Da = see Bing = think
“As I stood on the edge of the roof,
I looked down
and whimpered, “I hope I don’t fall!”
WOW!

16. Thoughtshot
Begin your essay
with a thought inside
a character’s
head.

17. “I couldn’t imagine why my father hollered for me at 7:00 in the morning! I thought fast about what I had done.”
Interesting!

18. character doing something.
Ready...Set...Action!
Begin with your main
character doing something.

19. “Sally pushed away from the table, bolted out of the kitchen, and slammed the back door. She ran down the dock as quick as a lightening strike, hurrying toward the sound of her father’s voice.”
What’s next?

20. Onomatopoeia
Introduce your essay
with a sound.

21. “Crack. The limb snapped underneath me
“Crack! The limb snapped underneath me. I felt the rush of air slip past my arms as I fell to the grass below.”
Ouch!