Introductory Paragraph

Attention getter/ hook

• an anecdote: a short story about the topic• a quotation: an eloquent statement said by an

expert, about the topic• an insightful question: something that will

make readers think and open their minds to the topic

• an example: a hypothetical situation that will open readers’ minds

• an unusual or startling fact: from a credible source—one that cannot go unnoticed, and one that will open the readers’ minds to the topic

Attention getter/ hook examples

• an anecdote: Johnny’s parents thought he was the perfect boy. They never guessed he was planning to kill himself. If only they had been more aware of his depression, they could have prevented this tragedy.

• an insightful question: Is suicide really anyone’s fault? Or is it everyone’s fault?

• an unusual or startling fact: One of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide.

Linking statement examples

• an anecdote: Johnny’s parents thought he was the perfect boy. They Johnny’s parents thought he was the perfect boy. They never guessed he was planning to kill himself. If only they had been more never guessed he was planning to kill himself. If only they had been more

aware of his depression, they could have prevented this tragedy.aware of his depression, they could have prevented this tragedy. In Shakespeare’s famous tragic play, Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers also take their lives in a preventable tragedy.

• an insightful question: Is suicide really anyone’s fault? Or is it Is suicide really anyone’s fault? Or is it

everyone’s fault?everyone’s fault? In Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers take their lives, and, tragically, their deaths could have been prevented.

• an unusual or startling fact: One of the leading causes of One of the leading causes of

death amongst teenagers is suicide.death amongst teenagers is suicide. In Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers also take their lives.

Thesis statement examples

• an anecdote: Johnny’s parents thought he was the perfect Johnny’s parents thought he was the perfect boy. They never guessed he was planning to kill himself. If only they boy. They never guessed he was planning to kill himself. If only they had been more aware of his depression, they could have prevented had been more aware of his depression, they could have prevented

this tragedy.this tragedy. In Shakespeare’s famous tragic play, Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers also take their lives in a preventable tragedy.

There are many mistakes made during the few days Romeo and Juliet are together, but the characters most responsible for the suicides are Friar Lawrence, the families and friends of the two lovers, and Romeo and Juliet themselves.

Thesis statement examples

• an insightful question: Is suicide really anyone’s fault? Is suicide really anyone’s fault?

Or is it everyone’s fault?Or is it everyone’s fault? In Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers take their lives, and, tragically, their deaths could have

been prevented. There are many mistakes made during the few days Romeo and Juliet are together, but the characters most responsible for the suicides are Friar Lawrence, the families and friends of the two lovers, and Romeo and Juliet themselves.

•

Thesis statement examples

• an unusual or startling fact: One of the One of the

leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide.leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide. In Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers

also take their lives. There are many mistakes made during the few days Romeo and Juliet are together, but the characters most responsible for the suicides are Friar Lawrence, the families and friends of the two lovers, and Romeo and Juliet themselves.