GET STARTED WITH THE

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Persuasive Writing

What’s so important about the

IntroductionIt indicates the topic of the essayIt gives an idea of the essay’s organizationIt establishes the tone of the essayIt provides background on the topic’s

importanceIt provides a CLEAR statement of the essay’s

intended purpose in…… THE THESIS STATEMENT!

So, how do I get started?

If you’ve done your prewriting, then your introductory paragraph will not be very difficult. If you haven’t done your prewriting, your task will be more difficult. So, let’s just assume you’ve done your prewriting because, I mean, why wouldn’t you?

• Hook• Bridge to thesis statement• Thesis statement

PARTS OF AN INTRODUCTION

Thesis comes first!

As strange as it sounds, you begin the composition of your introduction by writing the final sentence of the paragraph – your thesis statement. Writing in introduction without a thesis in mind would be like planning a vacation without a destination in mind. If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you ever get there?

• An arguable point• A position on the argument• A glimpse of the essay’s structure

A THESIS STATEMENT CONTAINS

Anatomy of a bad thesis

I think children over the age of 12 should have cell phones.

Avoid first person pronouns.

Saying “I think” makes this immediately unarguable. No one could argue that is not what you think. See?

It does take a position on the issue, so that’s good.

We are missing the glimpse at the essay’s structure. I have no idea where the author is headed with this argument.

The Arguable Point

This is just what it sounds like. Your thesis has to be a point that someone could argue against. It needs to be something for which you can offer proof and something worthy of proving.

Children over the age of 12 should have cell phones because they promote responsibility, assist with organization, and enhance independence.

BAD THESIS GOOD THESIS

I think that children over the age of 12 should have cell phones.

Already have a draft? Haven’t started yet?

Look at the thesis you have. If there are personal

pronouns (any pronouns that name you or your reader) you need to revise.

Make sure you express a position on the issue.

Make sure your thesis is arguable.

Make sure you offer a glimpse as to why you have taken your position.

Based on your prewriting, decide on the best position to take on the argument.

Create a thesis statement that expresses an arguable position and offers a look at the reasons you have taken that position.

Be sure to avoid personal pronouns (any pronouns that name you or your reader) in your thesis.

Your turn: Create an effective thesis

•Personal examples

•Quotations

•Facts or statistics

•Rhetorical questions

•Current events

•Contrast to the thesis statement

Next comes the hook

Now that you know where you’re headed, you can figure out where to begin. The purpose of the first sentence is to “hook” you reader – make him interested in what you have to say. Since this is the very first impression, it needs to set the tone and be powerful.

IDEAS FOR THE HOOK

Examples of Hooks

•Personal exampleMy life was transformed on my 12th birthday when I pulled back the wrapping on my gift and saw the word “Droid” on the box beneath.

•Quotations“Bad human communication leaves us less room to grow.”

•Facts or statisticsThe world is a dangerous place, but it might be worse without cell phones. In fact, 40 percent of mobile phone owners said they found themselves in an emergency situation and having their cell phone helped.

•Rhetorical questionsDoes anyone know of an adult who doesn’t have a cell phone?

•Current eventsRecently there has been a movement to add cell phone technology to the number of tools used in the classroom.

•Contrast to the thesis statementCell phones are, perhaps, the most annoying invention of our generation. However, as annoying as they are, no one who has one wants to give it up.

Already have a draft? Haven’t started yet?

Look at the first sentence you have.

Is it engaging? Does it make the reader WANT to read?

Does it relate in some way to your thesis?

Does it offer a logical next sentence?

If your hook doesn’t pass all these tests, check out the “Haven’t started yet” instructions for help in revising.

Based on your thesis, decide on the best type of hook for your essay.

Do a little research if you need to. Find a quote or a statistic that will really pop for your reader.

Create an opening sentence that will wow your audience and allow you to write a logical next sentence.

Your turn: Create an effective hook

Your turn: Building the bridge

Once you have the first sentence and the thesis statement, you’re past the most difficult part. You see where you’re starting; you see where you’re going. Now all you need is a few sentences to bridge the gap between the two sentences.

Add two or three sentences after your hook that effectively and logically connect it to your thesis. Make sure your thesis is the final sentence in the paragraph.

Already have a draft? Haven’t started yet?

Read over your first paragraph and make sure the hook and thesis are logically and effectively connected. Make sure your thesis is the final sentence in the paragraph.

Aim for an introductory paragraph of five to six sentences in length. Once you bridge the hook and the thesis statement, you’re all finished with the intro!