1. Constructing Introductions for Argument Writing Created by D. Riley and C. Batelka Content adapted from http://writingcenter.unc.edu and http://home.earthlink.nethttp://writingcenter.unc.eduhttp://home.earthlink.net

2. Argument Writing As the writer of an essay, you're essentially a lawyer arguing on behalf of a client (your claim) before a judge (the reader) who will decide the case (agree or disagree with you). As the writer of an essay, you're essentially a lawyer arguing on behalf of a client (your claim) before a judge (the reader) who will decide the case (agree or disagree with you). Reader Writer

3. Argument Writing The objective of a persuasive essay is to “win” the reader over to your side of an argument, while the primary objective of an argument essay is just to show that you have a valid argument, allowing the reader either to adopt your position or to “agree to disagree.” The objective of a persuasive essay is to “win” the reader over to your side of an argument, while the primary objective of an argument essay is just to show that you have a valid argument, allowing the reader either to adopt your position or to “agree to disagree.” Another difference between the two types of essays is that in the persuasive essay, although you acknowledge the opposing view, only one side of the issue is debated. An important part of the argument essay is to use evidence both to substantiate one’s own position and to refute the opposing argument. Another difference between the two types of essays is that in the persuasive essay, although you acknowledge the opposing view, only one side of the issue is debated. An important part of the argument essay is to use evidence both to substantiate one’s own position and to refute the opposing argument.

4. Argument Writing So, begin as a lawyer would, and make an "opening statement,” or in this case, an introduction. So, begin as a lawyer would, and make an "opening statement,” or in this case, an introduction. The opening will provide your readers with an initial impression of your argument and your writing style. The opening will provide your readers with an initial impression of your argument and your writing style.

5. Components of an Introduction ① Hook ② Background Information ③ Reasons of Support ④ Claim

6. Hook You never get a second chance to make a first impression! You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Purpose: To transport your readers from their own life into your paper. Purpose: To transport your readers from their own life into your paper. For example, if you are writing a paper about education in the 1950’s, readers need to leave their world of computers and Internet and transport themselves to another decade. For example, if you are writing a paper about education in the 1950’s, readers need to leave their world of computers and Internet and transport themselves to another decade.

7. Hook Strategies for an effective hook: Strategies for an effective hook: A vivid anecdote or scenario A vivid anecdote or scenario A thought-provoking question A thought-provoking question An intriguing fact or startling statistic An intriguing fact or startling statistic A provocative quotation A provocative quotation A definition or description A definition or description

8. Hook: Anecdote/Scenario It's natural to think of an anecdote as an introduction to a personal narrative, but stories and anecdotes can be effective introductions to any kind of paper. It's natural to think of an anecdote as an introduction to a personal narrative, but stories and anecdotes can be effective introductions to any kind of paper. Example: Example: We took our sons fishing in the spillway next to the dam one moonlit night. In the hush of the night, one of them hooked a small trout. But when the landed fish screamed aloud, my son fled the scene in horror and has never eaten flesh since. We took our sons fishing in the spillway next to the dam one moonlit night. In the hush of the night, one of them hooked a small trout. But when the landed fish screamed aloud, my son fled the scene in horror and has never eaten flesh since.

9. Hook: Question A question raises the expectation of the readers, encouraging them to find an answer as they read your essay. A question raises the expectation of the readers, encouraging them to find an answer as they read your essay. Example: Example: Can one plus one ever equal one? It can if you are an identical twin. How is it possible to have your own identity when you share the same parents, birthday, face, and even DNA? Will twins ever be considered two people or just parts of a whole? Can one plus one ever equal one? It can if you are an identical twin. How is it possible to have your own identity when you share the same parents, birthday, face, and even DNA? Will twins ever be considered two people or just parts of a whole?

10. Hook: Fact or Statistic Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your essay and help you to assert a strong voice. A surprising or unusual fact makes your readers curious. They can't wait to read on. When using this technique, it is sometimes a good idea to include the source of your information. Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your essay and help you to assert a strong voice. A surprising or unusual fact makes your readers curious. They can't wait to read on. When using this technique, it is sometimes a good idea to include the source of your information. Example: Example: Television is so popular that over 128 million sets are now being used in 98 percent of American households. According to the A.C. Neilsen Company, which takes television surveys, each week the small screen holds the attention of children under five for an average of 23.5 hours and adults for an average of 44 hours. Indeed, the typical viewer spends more time in front of the television set than he or she spends on any other activity except sleep. Television is so popular that over 128 million sets are now being used in 98 percent of American households. According to the A.C. Neilsen Company, which takes television surveys, each week the small screen holds the attention of children under five for an average of 23.5 hours and adults for an average of 44 hours. Indeed, the typical viewer spends more time in front of the television set than he or she spends on any other activity except sleep.

11. Hook: Quotation Make good use of the wordsmiths of history. Online quotation banks, usually searchable by topic, are a great source for quotations on practically any subject. Song lyrics can also make interesting hooks. Try to find something offbeat or unexpected, rather than something familiar or cliché. Make good use of the wordsmiths of history. Online quotation banks, usually searchable by topic, are a great source for quotations on practically any subject. Song lyrics can also make interesting hooks. Try to find something offbeat or unexpected, rather than something familiar or cliché. Example: Example: Albert Einstein once said, "Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein once said, "Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves."

12. Hook: Definition/Description By vividly presenting a topic that will appeal to your audience's senses, you can set the mood for your essay. Be careful of giving simply the dictionary definition of a word; while it establishes a common, agreed-upon definition, it doesn’t take into account the context of your paper. It is far more interesting for the reader if you develop your own definition based on the sources you used for your paper. By vividly presenting a topic that will appeal to your audience's senses, you can set the mood for your essay. Be careful of giving simply the dictionary definition of a word; while it establishes a common, agreed-upon definition, it doesn’t take into account the context of your paper. It is far more interesting for the reader if you develop your own definition based on the sources you used for your paper. Its left ear is partially detached. One of its black plastic eyes is gone. Parts of its fur are worn and matted from being hugged and tugged around the house. Food and juice stains dapple its tan coat in places. Some people might think this little stuffed bunny should be thrown into the junk heap. But this old bunny is one of my favorite childhood possessions, and we’ve been through a lot together. Its left ear is partially detached. One of its black plastic eyes is gone. Parts of its fur are worn and matted from being hugged and tugged around the house. Food and juice stains dapple its tan coat in places. Some people might think this little stuffed bunny should be thrown into the junk heap. But this old bunny is one of my favorite childhood possessions, and we’ve been through a lot together.

13. Background Information Background information acts like a bridge to make a smooth connection between the hook and the claim. Background information acts like a bridge to make a smooth connection between the hook and the claim. As the writer, you have the knowledge and have done the research. Do not assume the reader is aware of the issue you are arguing. As the writer, you have the knowledge and have done the research. Do not assume the reader is aware of the issue you are arguing. Hint: Use information from Hint: Use information from the prompt to inform the the prompt to inform the reader of the debatable reader of the debatable topic. topic.

14. Hook + Background Information We took our sons fishing in the spillway next to the dam one moonlit night. In the hush of the night, one of them hooked a small trout. But when the landed fish screamed aloud, my son fled the scene in horror and has never eaten flesh since. Most human beings are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and vegetables. However, an all-vegetarian diet is becoming more common and accepted by mainstream society. We took our sons fishing in the spillway next to the dam one moonlit night. In the hush of the night, one of them hooked a small trout. But when the landed fish screamed aloud, my son fled the scene in horror and has never eaten flesh since. Most human beings are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and vegetables. However, an all-vegetarian diet is becoming more common and accepted by mainstream society.

15. Reasons of Support Reasons of support provide a road map for the rest of your paper. Reasons of support provide a road map for the rest of your paper. They give the reader a sense of the kinds of information you will use to make that argument and the general organization of the paragraphs that will follow. They give the reader a sense of the kinds of information you will use to make that argument and the general organization of the paragraphs that will follow. Readers should not have any major surprises in store as they read the body of your paper. Readers should not have any major surprises in store as they read the body of your paper.

16. Hook + Background Information+ Reasons of Support We took our sons fishing in the spillway next to the dam one moonlit night. In the hush of the night, one of them hooked a small trout. But when the landed fish screamed aloud, my son fled the scene in horror and has never eaten flesh since. Most human beings are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and vegetables. However, an all-vegetarian diet is becoming more common and accepted by mainstream society. While there are many benefits to choosing a vegetarian diet, the most important are health, environmental, and above all, ethical. We took our sons fishing in the spillway next to the dam one moonlit night. In the hush of the night, one of them hooked a small trout. But when the landed fish screamed aloud, my son fled the scene in horror and has never eaten flesh since. Most human beings are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and vegetables. However, an all-vegetarian diet is becoming more common and accepted by mainstream society. While there are many benefits to choosing a vegetarian diet, the most important are health, environmental, and above all, ethical.

17. Claim Claim: statement that persuades, argues, convinces, proves, or suggests something to a reader who may or may not initially agree with the writer. Claim: statement that persuades, argues, convinces, proves, or suggests something to a reader who may or may not initially agree with the writer. The claim must be a debatable topic, and you must choose a clear position! The claim must be a debatable topic, and you must choose a clear position!

18. Hook + Background Information+ Reasons of Support + Claim We took our sons fishing in the spillway next to the dam one moonlit night. In the hush of the night, one of them hooked a small trout. But when the landed fish screamed aloud, my son fled the scene in horror and has never eaten flesh since. Most human beings are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and vegetables. However, an all-vegetarian diet is becoming more common and accepted by mainstream society. While there are many benefits to choosing a vegetarian diet, the most important are health, environmental, and above all, ethical. Being a vegetarian creates the best possible lifestyle for human beings. We took our sons fishing in the spillway next to the dam one moonlit night. In the hush of the night, one of them hooked a small trout. But when the landed fish screamed aloud, my son fled the scene in horror and has never eaten flesh since. Most human beings are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and vegetables. However, an all-vegetarian diet is becoming more common and accepted by mainstream society. While there are many benefits to choosing a vegetarian diet, the most important are health, environmental, and above all, ethical. Being a vegetarian creates the best possible lifestyle for human beings.

19. Helpful Hints Write your introduction after your body paragraphs. Write your introduction after your body paragraphs. The writing process is a long process of organizing your ideas, thinking through complicated issues, and refining your thoughts to develop a sophisticated argument. The writing process is a long process of organizing your ideas, thinking through complicated issues, and refining your thoughts to develop a sophisticated argument. Only through the experience of writing your paper do you discover how you will support your main argument. Only through the experience of writing your paper do you discover how you will support your main argument. The point of the introduction is to introduce your paper— How can you introduce something you haven’t written?? The point of the introduction is to introduce your paper— How can you introduce something you haven’t written??