Review how to write effective introductions

Identify types of introductions

Explore challenges of 7th graders with research articles

W7.2a Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

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Question

Academic

“Quote”

Personal

Creative

“Dialogue”

Action

The lead (beginning or introduction)

establishes the direction your writing will

take. A good lead grabs your reader's

attention and refuses to let go. In other

words, it hooks the reader.

Catches the reader off-guard with an opening statement

Leaves the reader smiling or wondering what the rest of the essay contains.

Answers one or more of the six basic questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Used in formal essays

Often uses statistics or data

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.

Rhetorical questions are not meant to be answered. They draw 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.

Acne, baldness, sterility. Sound attractive, fellas? Or ladies, how about a deep voice, facial hair, and kidney damage? All of these appealing attributes, along with many others, are side effects of using steroids, yet people continue to use them!

Have you ever wondered how you would survive if you found yourself alone in the jungle? How would you defend yourself against predators? What would you eat? Where would you find water? Read Lord of the Flies to see just how a group of teenagers manage to survive!

AVOID meaningless questions that don’t ask the reader to think critically; a question you don’t expect the reader to answer.Examples of Meaningless Questions “Do you hate school uniforms? I do.” “Do you have a favorite season? Well I do.” “Have you ever wondered why people believe in

school uniforms? Well, I’ll tell you.”

Take the reader directly into your mind.

It says, “This is what it is like to be me. Let me take you to my little world.”

Often uses descriptive language.

I walked into the antiseptic, crisp-white room on April 23, 1992. The beeping of the machines echoed immensely in my head and I knew that noise would haunt me for the rest of my life. I walked in further to join my family that stood beside the bed. I hung my head in grief and through tears got one last look.

What words help re-create this experience?

I walked into the antiseptic, crisp-white room on April 23, 1992. The beeping of the machines echoed immensely in my head and I knew that noise would haunt me for the rest of my life. I walked in further to join my family that stood beside the bed. I hung my head in grief and through tears got one last look.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6…” It was my first basketball game

and I had the ball with the clock ticking away. I

was standing on top of the world. However, to

get to that point, I had to go through pre-game

jitters, the embarrassing shot, and the opponent’s

hard stares. Yes, it takes determination to succeed.

Open with a quotation that is well-known (but be sure to put quotation marks around it).

You can also use a quotation from someone that is not famous. It could be from a song, movie, or one of your own.

WHAT PHRASE WHAT PHRASE IS THIS GREAT IS THIS GREAT CIVIL RIGHTS CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER MOST LEADER MOST FAMOUS FOR?FAMOUS FOR?

“A penny saved is a penny earned.” –Benjamin Franklin

“All that glitters is not gold.” – Shakespeare

Student Example:

John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I think today's Americans have forgotten Kennedy's message. We expect our country to take care of us, but we are not takingcare of our country.

Takes the reader into the middle of an action sequence.

By not building up to the story, it forces the reader to read on to find out what’s happening.

How could you describe this action-packed scene?

The race came to an abrupt holt as the sound of firecrackers filled the air. Runners suddenly collapsed as limps were shred to pieces. Cries of spectatorsbillowed through the crowd.The smoke-filled street wasmass chaos.

Like the action introduction, this also brings the reader directly into the action.

Used more often in narrative essays.

The dialogue introduces the characters before the reader knows who they are.

“May the force be with you,” Han Solo proclaimed to Luke. The attack on the Death Star Battle Station was about to begin.

BUT…. Don’t forget the following tips.

“In this essay…”

“I am going to tell you about…”

“I will write about…”

“The first reason is…”

“The second reason is…”

It’s the first impression

the reader will have

of your writing.

The introduction should be easy to understand Don’t go overboard on details. You don’t have to say everything in the

introduction.

Don’t assume the audience knows what you are talking about.

But don’t go to the other extreme and include a summary of your topic.

Think middle ground.

The first time is NOT

the charm!