2. HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 1

3. WHEN YOU WRITE AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH, KEEP IN MIND THAT... Writing an introductory paragraph is like greeting someone. The paragraph should be short and to the point like saying, “Hello!” Also, you don’t want to get into the meat of the essay. Simply give the audience a concise idea of your essay’s purpose. Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 2

4. REMEMBER THAT THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH... Is the most important paragraph of the essay Must three sentences minimum Needs to do 3 things –Briefly introduce the topic with a hook –Cleary state your position – Provide three reasons Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 3

5. TYPES OF HOOKS 1. Personal examples 2. Quotations 3. Facts or statistics 4. Rhetorical questions 5. Current events 6. General Statment

6. WHAT IF I COULD OFFER EACH OF YOU $500,000?

7. NO, YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL!!!

8. SO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO GET IT?

9. GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL!!!! Studies show that people who graduate from high school will earn at least $500,000 more in their lifetime than people who do not. Staying in school will determine whether or not you get the $500,000.

10. WELL, DID I GET YOUR ATTENTION? This is an example of one way to hook your reader in the introduction: asking a question. You can ask a rhetorical question that draws the reader into wanting to read further to discover the answer to the question. Ask an interesting question that you will answer in your essay.

11. LET US CONSIDER DIFFERENT TYPES OF INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS... General statement introduction Question introduction Quotation introduction Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 10

12. EXAMPLES OF GENERAL STATEMENT INTRODUCTION Almost every time that you turn on the television you will find a number of shows which are extremely violent. Many public schools have decided that their students should use uniforms. Your turn: Form a general statement on having year round school. –Sentence Starter: Most parents…All students… Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 11

13. EXAMPLES OF QUESTION INTRODUCTION Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence on prime time television? Do you think that to improve our public school education the students should be required to wear uniforms? Your Turn: Form a question on having year round school. –Sentence Starter: Are you concerned …Do you think… Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 12

14. QUOTATION INTRODUCTION A recent article in Time magazine states that the viewing of extremely violent television shows is the number one cause of violence in our inner cities. The Monitor recently conducted a study and concluded that students in public schools where uniforms are mandatory have less problems and perform better academically. Your turn: Write a quotation statement about year round school? –Sentence Starter: A recent study by Katie University shows … Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 13

15. IN THE NEXT THREE SLIDES YOU WILL VIEW COMPLETED INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS. Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 14

16. GENERAL STATEMENT INTRODUCTION Today smoking is an issue which is on everybody’s mind. The whole country is divided on this issue. Some people believe that smoking should be banned everywhere while others are not so harsh. However, I believe that tobacco should be outlawed because smoking endangers everyone’s health, pollutes the environment, and drains us of valuable energy. Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 15

17. INTERROGATORY INTRODUCTION What do you think about banning smoking? The whole country is divided on whether smoking should be banned. I firmly believe that smoking should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health; it pollutes the environment, and it drains us of valuable energy. Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 16

18. QUOTATION INTRODUCTION In The Monitor it was recently stated that smoking is the greatest threat to our health. The whole country is divided on this issue. I believe that tobacco should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health; it pollutes the environment, and it drains of valuable resources. (49) Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 17

19. FINAL REMINDERS !!!! Be concise and to the point! Do not go into too much detail! At least 3 sentences! You must do three things... introduce topic state position provide reasons Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 18

20. ASSIGNMENT: WRITE THE 3 TYPES OF INTRODUCTORY SENTENCES (HOOK) FOR THE FOLLOWING TOPIC. Many middle school students have extracurricular activities such as sports and/or music lessons. Do you think that middle school students should receive less homework because of these extra curricular activities? Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 19