Transcript How to write Introductory paragraphs

How to write an
Introductory paragraph
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
Ben Franklin
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When you write an introductory
paragraph, keep in mind that . . .
Writing an introductory paragraph is like
greeting someone. The paragraph
should be short and to the point like
saying, “Hello!”
Also, you don’t want to get into the
meat of the essay. Simply give the
audience a concise idea of your essay’s
purpose.
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Remember that the introductory
paragraph . . .
 Is the most important paragraph of the
essay
Must be at least 30 words long or three
sentences minimum
Needs to do these things
Briefly introduce the topic
Give background
Cleary state your position
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Even though there are several
ways to begin an essay, I
recommended that you choose one
particular method and perfect it.
Why?
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Because
if you keep using the same
method, you will . . .
Become an expert in this particular
method.
Moreover, if you already know how you
will begin your essay, you will be more
prepared, relaxed, and confident.
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Let us consider different
types of introductory
paragraphs . . .
General statement introduction
Surprising Statistics/Facts
Statements of Problems or ThoughtProvoking Ideas
Question introduction
Story introduction
Quotation introduction
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Examples of general statement
introduction
 Almost every time that you turn on the television
you will find a number of shows which are
extremely violent.
 Over seventy percent of high schools in the
United States require students to wear uniforms.
 In the United States of America the public
burning of our flag has become a common
sight.
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Examples of question introduction
 Are you ever bothered by the excessive
violence on prime time television?
 Should Facebook be allowed in school?
 Is Homework a realistic educational
expectation?
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Story Introduction
Last year I contracted conjunctivitis. Though
forced to remain at home, I was still
responsible for my school assignments. One
assignment, a calculus problem, was
particularly perplexing. After hours of staring
at it, my mind was blank. Luckily, that’s when
I thought of logging onto Facebook. Through
Facebook, I was able to instant message my
teacher, who guided me through. I made an
A.
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Quotation Introduction
 A recent article in Time magazine states that the
viewing of extremely violent television shows is
the number one cause of violence in our inner
cities.
 The Monitor recently conducted a study and
concluded that students in public schools where
uniforms are mandatory have less problems and
perform better academically.
 A recent article in The Austin Statesman states
that most Americans are very much against flag
burning in public and are in favor of passing a
law banning this activity.
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In the next three slides you will
view completed introductory
paragraphs.
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General statement introduction
Today smoking is an
issue which is on
everybody’s mind. The
whole country is divided on
this issue. Some people
believe that smoking should
be banned everywhere
while others are not so
harsh. However, I believe
that tobacco should be
outlawed because it
pollutes the body and the
environment.( 57)
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Interrogatory introduction
What do you think about
banning smoking? The whole
country is divided on whether
smoking should be banned. I
firmly believe that smoking
should be outlawed because
it destroys the body and the
environment. (41)
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Quotation introduction
In The Monitor it was
recently stated that smoking is
the greatest threat to our health.
The whole country is divided on
this issue. I believe that tobacco
should be outlawed because it
destroys the body and the
environment. (49)
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Story Introduction
Last year my father died of lung
cancer after twenty years of
smoking and a three month
diagnosis. He is not alone. In
fact, over two million people a
year die of lung cancer.
Recently, because of its ill
effects, cities have banned
smoking in public. Some
people want it banned
entirely. I agree.
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Final reminders !!!!
Be concise and to the point!
Do not go into too much detail!
At least 30 words minimum!
You must do three things . . .
introduce topic
give general background
state position
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Cheaters
 On the GHSGT, you have all information to complete
a decent introduction. Watch this…
 Writing Situation
 When your grades began to fall, your parents said
that you would have to quit your part-time job.
Because you must make your own car payments, this
decision means that you will not be able to keep your
car. You are concerned that you will get upset if you
try to talk to your parents. Instead, you decide to write
them
 Directions for Writing
 Write your parents a letter in which you try to
convince them that you should be given another
chance to improve your grades without giving up your
job and car. Make your argument clear, complete,
and convincing
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Dear Mom,
I wanted to talk to you, but because I am
upset, I thought it best to write. I know that
you must be questioning whether or not I
should be given another chance to
improve my grades without giving up my
car and job. Over the past few months, my
grades have steadily dropped; however, I
would like to give you several reasons why
I should be trusted to keep my job and car
while improving my grades.
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 Writing Situation
 The issue of censoring or banning books has received much
national attention. Recently, however, the controversy became a
local issue when parents in your community objected to a book
that their teenager had obtained from the high school library.
The parents’ campaign to have the book removed permanently
from the library has aroused mixed reactions from students,
teachers and other parents. Decide how you feel about the
issue of banning books.
 Directions for Writing
 Write a letter to the editor of the school newspaper in which you
either defend a parent’s right to have a book banned or oppose
such a ban. Clearly state your position. Try to convince readers
of the paper to agree with you by providing well-developed
supporting arguments.
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Dear Editor,
Last week several parents campaigned to have
several books from our media center removed
because they found the content objectionable.
And while I agree that parents should have the
right to decide what is appropriate for their child,
I do not agree that they should be allowed to
make that decision for everyone else’s children.
Censorship, or banning books, should not be
permitted.
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