Introducing…

INTRODUCTIONS!

Hook, meet Roadmap.

4 Components of an introduction

– Grabber– Bridge– Roadmap– Thesis Statement

3 Components of an introduction

– Grabber– Bridge– Roadmap– Thesis Statement

Grabber/Hook/Engaging Lead

Let’s review five main types:

•Interesting quote

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

Let’s review five main types:

•Interesting quote

•Interesting fact or statistic

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

Let’s review five main types:

•Interesting quote

•Interesting fact or statistic

•Part of an anecdote

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

Let’s review five main types:

•Interesting quote

•Interesting fact or statistic

•Part of an anecdote

•Vivid description

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

Let’s review five main types:

•Interesting quote

•Interesting fact or statistic

•Part of an anecdote

•Vivid description

•Ask an important question

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

• Interesting Quote

• Interesting Fact or Statistic

• Part of an Anecdote

• Vivid Description

• Ask an important question

Important Quote

• Examples:– According to John Bills, visualizing our

success before practicing improves our odds of succeeding.

Important Quote

• Examples:– According to John Bills, visualizing your

success before practicing improves you odds of succeeding

– We’ve all heard the saying measure twice, cut once, but sometimes we forget to think about holding on tightly while we make the cut.

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

• Interesting Quote

• Interesting Fact or Statistic

• Part of an Anecdote

• Vivid Description

• Ask an important question

Facts & Statistics

• Examples

Facts & Statistics

• Example– Nine out of Ten Kindergarteners have a favorite color.

Nine out of ten middle schoolers have a favorite place to visit. Nine out of ten college students wish it was appropriate for them to go trick-o-treating. But I bet I am the only person in the world who has a favorite hole in my shoe. Indeed, I have seven holes in my skating shoes, but the most recent one is the most important to me because my dad put that hole in it when I taught him how to Ollie.

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

• Interesting Quote

• Interesting Fact or Statistic

• Part of an Anecdote

• Vivid Description

• Ask an important question

Start with an Anecdote

Example:

Start with an Anecdote

Example:• There were no animals around this time. There

were no other tourists around any more. There weren’t even any National Geographic photographers left. Just me and my family—all because my little brother accidentally started a forest fire. Even though I used to dread going to on our annual monotonous Yellowstone National Park family vacations, this time was different. It’s not often you get to start a forest fire, so this vacation stands out as my favorite event of all times.

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

• Interesting Quote

• Interesting Fact or Statistic

• Part of an Anecdote

• Vivid Description

• Ask an important question

Vivid Description

• A dark grey haze hung like a velvet curtain, hiding the normally majestic purple mountains. Instead of breathing in the intoxicating sweet aroma of wild flowers, toxic smoke stung our eyes and burned our nose hairs. The roar of burning trees bellowed at us, replacing the normal sounds of wild birds and animals. My favorite family trip to Yellowstone National Park had just started. Most people would not consider surviving a forest fire a favorite memory—but it sure beat our normally boring family trips.

Grabber a.k.a Engaging Lead

• Interesting Quote

• Interesting Fact or Statistic

• Part of an Anecdote

• Vivid Description

• Ask an important question

Ask an IMPORTANT question

Not this kind:

Do you have a favorite hobby or activity?

Not this kind:

Have you ever had a favorite pet?

Not this kind:

I adore pickleball. Are you wondering “Why?”

Ask an IMPORTANT question

This kind:

How many people have lived to tell that they started a forest fire?

Or this kind:

If you were asked to choose what type of pet you’d want, what would you say? Dog? Cat? Cobra? Who really cares what type—as long as it has the ability to save your life.

Roadmap—where my essay is headed

• What big idea/reasons will my essay discuss—and in what order?

• What categories are important enough to write in an essay for the prompt Why should drivers not be allowed to talk on their cell phones while driving?

• Sample introductions with roadmap

Now it’s Your Turn

• Write an introduction for this essay about Butch.

IntroductionsList four types of grabbers/leads. Describe or write and example of each type.

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• What do you do with a throughline?