OBJECTIVES :

THROUGH THIS LESSON THE STUDENT WILL-PRACTICE VARIOUS WAYS TO WRITE AN

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPHAND

COMPOSE A FORMAL INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

Introduction Paragraph

Introduction Paragraph

The introduction paragraph is like your “sales pitch”

An introduction paragraph attempts to do 3 things:• Introduce the topic• Indicate the structure and/or methodology of

the essay• State the thesis/purpose of the essay

How an intro paragraph is built

An intro paragraph is usually thought of like an upside-down triangle divided in 3 parts

1. Attention Grabber

2. Bridge

3. Purpose

Statement

Attention Grabber

This sentence or sentences are at the very beginning of the intro paragraph and their

job is to Hook your readers attention

Attention Grabber

There are many different types of attention getters

Here are are fewProverb/QuotationDescriptionNarrationStartling FactExaggerated InformationRhetorical Question/CuriosityHumor

Attention Grabber

A Proverb/Quotation a statement said by someone else relevant to your topic

Example:(topic women in politics)

“There cannot be true democracy unless women’s voices are heard” (Hillary Rodham Clinton).

Hillary Rodham Clinton once said, “There cannot be true democracy unless women’s voices are heard”.

Attention Grabber

Narration tell a brief story, current event, or anecdote relevant

to your topic

Example: (topic home schooling)

Sally is a home school student who got to do the best activities to study science. She went to the Space and Air Museum, built a rocket, and interviewed a pilot. She loved being home schooled.

Attention Grabber

Startling Fact a fact or statistic related to your topic that might

seem unusual or dramatic for you reader

Example: (choosing a lifelong career)

According to recent calculations, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, could spend one million dollars per day, every day, seven days a week and would not run out of money until he was 311 years old!

Attention Grabber

Rhetorical Question/Curiosity ask a thought provoking question relevant to your

topic

Example: (topic Agribusiness is devouring the small farmer)

Is bigger always better? Once society has accepted the premise that more choice is better, is it possible to reverse that trend?

Attention Grabber

Remember An attention grabber should be clever or interesting. This opening statement will relate to the purpose

statement, but will not take a position on it.

Bridge

The bridge smoothly connects the attention grabber to the purpose statement

The bridge:• Sets the context - provide general information about the

main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support

• Presents your research question – provides the direction your essay goes in relation to he overall topic

• States why the main idea is important – tell the reader why he or she should care and keep reading.

• Provides an outline of the parallel positions/factors that your essay will explore

Bridge

Example Hillary Rodham Clinton once said “There cannot be

true democracy unless women’s voices are heard”. A democracy is a system of government that places the power in the hands of the people. If individuals, such as women, in a given society are not granted equal access and representation, then that government cannot claim to be a true democracy. The lack of female voices in the Unites States Government creates an imbalance of power based on gender.

Bridge

Example According to recent calculations, Bill Gates, founder of

Microsoft, could spend one million dollars per day, every day, seven days a week and would not run out of money until he was 311 years old! Most would agree that he has reached a point of financial security. In fact, it would be almost impossible to figure out how one could spend one million dollars per day. For most Americans, finding an occupation that earns enough money to live comfortably, is satisfying, and has a realistic blend between work and leisure are three essential factors in beginning one’s career.

Bridge

Remember The information is the bridge in the background that

your audience needs to understand the stance you are taking in your purpose statement

Purpose Statement

The purpose statement is a statement that establishes a clear position you will support with balanced proofs within your paper.

Purpose Statement

Example According to recent calculations, Bill Gates, founder of

Microsoft, could spend one million dollars per day, every day, seven days a week and would not run out of money until he was 311 years old! Most would agree that he has reached a point of financial security. In fact, it would be almost impossible to figure out how one could spend one million dollars per day. For most Americans, finding an occupation that earns enough money to live comfortably, is satisfying, and has a realistic blend between work and leisure are three essential factors in beginning one’s career. Choosing a lifelong career path provides the chance for one to achieve the financial security and enjoyment out of a career that many seldom achieve.

Purpose Statement

Remember A good purpose statement:

Is concise Is clear Is specific

Introduction Paragraph Things to Remember

ATTENTION GRABBER Here's your chance to introduce your topic and grab your reader's attention. 

NEVER start your paper saying, "In this paper, I will" or "This paper is about." Start strong.

  BRIDGE

Usually, the middle sentences cover the direction and the points you will cover in your paper. You don’t have to include all the points of your paper, just make sure the important ones are there

PURPOSE STATEMENT All the previous sentences have been building up to this: your purpose

statement. Your purpose statement expresses the overall idea of your paper and show where you stand on the topic.

Examples

The New York Times obtained a federal officer’s complaint about a Boston airport program “intended to spot telltale mannerisms of potential terrorists” (Schmidt). The officer’s complaint is quoted as saying, “the behavior detection program is no longer a behavior-based program, but it is a racial profiling program” (Schmidt). After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, the debate surrounding racial profiling in airports intensified. Many people believed that profiling was the best way to identify possible terrorists, but many others worried about violations of civil liberties. While some airports began to target passengers based solely on their Middle Eastern origins, others instituted random searches instead. Neither of these techniques seems likely to eliminate terrorism. Now many experts in the government and in airport security are recommending the use of a national ID card or Safe Traveler Card. If every US citizen had such a card, airlines could screen for terrorists more effectively than they do now and avoid procedures that single out individuals solely on the basis of race.

Examples

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities for the first half of 2013 estimates that 15,470 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. In a quest to reduce motor vehicle accidents and casualties, various international governments have introduced stringent requirements for new drivers.

BRIDGE

By examining the transportation needs of young people, the issue of individual responsibility, and the cost of driving education it can be seen that new driving regulations are indeed unwarranted and need to be modified.

Your Turn to Practice

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities for the first half of 2013 estimates that 15,470 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. In a quest to reduce motor vehicle accidents and casualties, various international governments have introduced stringent requirements for new drivers. Many applaud the new rules as a positive step toward reducing the carnage on our roads. Others argue that the new rules are unfair and unnecessary. Some of those in the later even argue that the new rules are themselves damaging. By examining the transportation needs of young people, the issue of individual responsibility, and the cost of driving education it can be seen that new driving regulations are indeed unwarranted and need to be modified.

Examples

What if tomorrow you were starting at a new school where your first language wasn’t the same language as the teachers? What would you be thinking during class if you didn’t comprehend what was being said?

BRIDGEEmploying language acquisition in schools in the form of mixed bilingual classes benefits non first language English speakers and first language English speakers.

One More…

What if tomorrow you were starting at a new school where your first language wasn’t the same language as the teachers? What would you be thinking during class if you didn’t comprend what was being said? According to recent studies, school districts across the country have identified over 350 different first languages among students. With over 300 languages being brought onto school campuses around the country, language acquisition among students is a pressing educational matter within this country. Historically the United States has approached language acquisition in schools with a focus on mainstreaming English. Many in the education field are now disputing this approach to language acquisition in favor of mixed bilingual classes. Employing language acquisition in schools in the form of mixed bilingual classes benefits non first language English speakers and first language English speakers.

ATTENTION GRABBER Here's your chance to introduce your topic and grab your reader's

attention.  NEVER start your paper saying, "In this paper, I will" or "This paper is about." Start strong.

 BRIDGE

Usually, the middle sentences cover the direction and the points you will cover in your paper. You don’t have to include all the points of your paper, just make sure the important ones are there

PURPOSE STATEMENT All the previous sentences have been building up to this: your

purpose statement. Your purpose statement expresses the overall idea of your paper and show where you stand on the topic.

Peer Edit

Editor: Writer:

Essay 1-Does the attention grabber hook you attention? YES NODoes the bridge of the intro smoothly connect the attentiongrabber to the position statement? YES NOIs the position statement clear? YES NOAre the presented factors or reasons parallel in structure?

YES NO Write down one great element of the intro: Write down one element of the intro that needs strengthening: