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Introductory Paragraphs

Introductory Paragraphs. It’s a funnel!. Funnel introduction. Most frequently used for the short essay Begins with a broad, general statement about the topic Follows with narrower, more specific statements about the topic Final sentence is thesis statement. Funnel introduction. Example

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Introductory Paragraphs

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  1. Introductory Paragraphs

  2. It’s a funnel!

  3. Funnel introduction • Most frequently used for the short essay • Begins with a broad, general statement about the topic • Follows with narrower, more specific statements about the topic • Final sentence is thesis statement

  4. Funnel introduction Example All of us have friends, some of whom we’re closer to than others. These people give our lives meaning and joy. I have many friends, but most of these might be more accurately described as acquaintances. A small number of them are my good friends, and a few of them are very close to me. Of these, three in particular share most of the thoughts and feelings that are truly central to my life. In fact, in many way, Mary, Emily, and Ashley, my three best friends, really make my life worth living.

  5. Funnel Introduction Practice: Using the information given below, you’ll need to first put them in order. Number 1 is the most broad topic/statement, and number 5 is the thesis. Put them in numerical order 1 = broad 2= more narrow 3= even more narrow 4= almost there 5= thesis statement

  6. Funnel Introduction Practice #1:

  7. Funnel Introduction Practice #2

  8. Funnel Introduction Practice #3

  9. Funnel Introduction Practice #4

  10. Introductory Paragraph Writing Practice: Choosing one of the four lists just given, write an introduction based on one of the lists, making sure you use the funnel method.

  11. More practice! Using the prompt on the following slide, write an introductory paragraph using the funnel method. When you’re planning this out, write it using this symbol () to show your progression from your broad statement to your thesis statement. Example: Explain a fear that prevents you from living life to the fullest. Everyone has a fear that they harbor inside.  Sometimes these fears prevent people from participating in everyday tasks.  Driving across a bridge can be scary for anyone,  but the fear of driving across a bridge above water adds another uncertain element to the driver’s decision making abilities.  Some people cannot physically drive across a bridge, which hinders them from living life to the fullest. What am I going to talk about? What could be my two main ideas for my body paragraphs?

  12. More Practice cont. Example: Explain a fear that prevents you from living life to the fullest. Everyone has a fear that they harbor inside.  Sometimes these fears prevent people from participating in everyday tasks.  Driving across a bridge can be scary for anyone,  but the fear of driving across a bridge above water adds another uncertain element to the driver’s decision making abilities.  Some people cannot physically drive across a bridge, which hinders them from living life to the fullest. What am I going to talk about? What could be my two main ideas for my body paragraphs?

  13. More Practice cont. Example: Explain a fear that prevents you from living life to the fullest. Everyone has a fear that they harbor inside.  Sometimes these fears prevent people from participating in everyday tasks.  Driving across a bridge can be scary for anyone,  but the fear of driving across a bridge above water adds another uncertain element to the driver’s decision making abilities.  Some people cannot physically drive across a bridge, which hinders them from living life to the fullest. What am I going to talk about? What could be my two main ideas for my body paragraphs? A person’s mindset doesn’t allow their body to react (mind over body) (PHYSICAL) 2. People need to stop and get out of the car because of the fear (PHYSICAL)- I would give an anecdote in this paragraph

  14. Class practice As a class, we will write an introductory paragraph based on the prompt below. Some people believe that life would be easier without one object that distracts them. What object do you believe distracts you the most? Write to explain why that object could be easier to live without.

  15. Final practice Using the handout provided, write 5 introductory paragraphs that show the funnel method. Make sure to write the symbol  to show your progression!

  16. Honors: Introduction Continuation CONTRAST INTRODUCTION • Used when you want to surprise or startle your reader • Engages reader’s interest at the same time that it presents background information about the topic • Begins by presenting a commonly held belief or opinion about the topic (generally on that readers will recognize as being true) • Contrast position (argument) is prefaced by a contrast word or phrase such as: however, on the contrary, in contrast: this informs the reader that a new and different position toward the topic is about to be presented • This new position is stated as the thesis statement

  17. CONTRAST INTRODUCTION Most young teenagers are convinced that driving is little more than sitting in the driver’s seat, turning the ignition, and going easily and simply wherever one chooses. After all, they think, if Mom and Dad can do it, it can’t be that complicated. However, most teenagers are surprised and overwhelmed by the complexity of guiding a big box at fast speeds along narrow strips cluttered by other big boxes moving unpredictably at fast speeds along the same narrow strips. Most teenagers, in fact, find that driving is a rather complex, tiring, and anxiety-producing activity that requires training and skill in order to do it smoothly and safely.

  18. ANECDOTAL INTRODUCTION • Begins by relating a short, simple anecdote, or “little story” • Must be true, brief, and clearly relate to the topic • Anecdote • introduces the subject of the essay • provides limited background information about the topic • concludes with a thesis statement

  19. ANECDOTAL INTRODUCTION Example Joe looked down the aisle at the nearly empty cosmetics shelves. His heart sank as he realized that the Windsong cologne that he had planned to buy Jenny for Christmas was and longer there. He had passed by the aisle just last Monday, but he didn’t want to take the time to stop and buy it then. Now it’s Christmas Eve, the store has sold out of Windsong, and Jenny won’t have the gift of his choice for her. As many of us do, Joe had simply put off doing his Christmas shopping until the last minute. As he walked out of the store wit a bottle of bubble bath, he promised himself that he would do better next year. This predicament, of course, is avoidable. In face, anyone can take much of the tension out of Christmas shopping by simply planning ahead, making a fit list, and shopping early.

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