let’s get introduced!. you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Let’s Get Introduced!

Younever get a

second chanceto make a

first impression!

The introductionof your essay is the most

important part!

The reader decides hereif your paper is worth

reading!

Let’s face it – we’ve all read essays like this:

Here’s some examplesof what you DON’Twant to do...

The “it” lead...“It was a beautiful day in Texas...”

The “question” lead...“Have you ever had something

difficult happen to you?”

The “definition” lead...“Webster’s defines thoughtful

as...”

Not another BORING

introduction!AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!

Never fear!Effective introductions are

here!

There are several waysto create an introduction

that immediately grabs yourreader and creates

connections.

Jump In!Jump into the middle

of your story and leave the reader

wanting more...

What do you think aboutthis one?

“Drunk driving is very dangerous. It can cause

accidents that kill or injure thousands of

people.”

Boring!

Let’s try this one:

“As Bob adjusts his radio, a tree appears out of

nowhere too late to turn the wheel!”Better!

Snapshot

Create a picturein the reader’s mind.

Let’s try this one:

“My worst memory was dinnertime.”Boring!

How about...

“The dinner table was bare except the stingy plates

of dry meatloaf and runny mashed potatoes. No one had an appetite—

especially me.”Better!

Ba-Da-Bing!

Start with introducingsomeone’s thoughts or

feelings.

Ba = feetDa = see

Bing = think

“As I stood on the edge of the roof,

I looked downand whimpered, “I hope I don’t

fall!”WOW!

ThoughtshotBegin your essay

with a thought inside a character’s

head.

“I couldn’t imaginewhy my father hollered

for me at 7:00 in the morning! I thought

fast about what I had done.”

Interesting!

Ready...Set...Action!

Begin with your maincharacter doing

something.

“Sally pushed away from the table, bolted out of the

kitchen, and slammed the back door.

She ran down the dock as quick as a lightening

strike, hurrying toward the sound of her father’s voice.”

What’s next?

Onomatopoeia

Introduce your essay with a

sound.

“Crack! The limbsnapped underneath me. I felt the rush of air slip past my arms as I fell to the grass

below.”

Ouch!