Introductory Paragraphs

1. Introductory Paragraphs “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” ~Plato

2. Functions of an Introductory Paragraph • Informs the reader what the issue is that the writer will be discussing. The introduction tells what the essay is about. • Presents background information that may be necessary to help explain what the issue is • Presents the writer’s main conclusion/THESIS • Provides the reader with a road map of the essay so that they know what to expect • An outline of how your argument will go on

3. Not Included in an Introductory Paragraph • No explanation of arguments! The introduction is not a place to provide detailed explanations of your supporting details because these explanations will occur in your body paragraphs. • Do not tell your audience what you are going to do. “I am going to tell you this…”

4. Basic Structure of an Introductory Paragraph Lead/Hook .Introduce Claim 1.Introduce Claim 2 .Introduce Claim 3 .Thesis.

5. Consider This Introduction In my essay, I am going to tell you about the importance of an introductory paragraph. My first reason introductory paragraphs are important is because they include important information to guide the audience, such as main ideas and thesis. My second body paragraph will tell you about how the introduction functions as the outline for the reader to know where the writer is going with their ideas. Third, my final point is that introduction paragraphs engage the audience by including a hook because without the hook the readers will not be interested in the writing. These are the reasons why the introduction is important to have. Clear Thesis? Interesting lead? Outline of main ideas?

6. Consider This Introduction According to many writing experts, the introductory paragraph is considered to be the most difficult component of an essay to compose. Introductory paragraphs include vital information to guide the reader. Additionally, the introduction works as an outline of the writer’s argument. Another important role of the introductory paragraph is to include an engaging hook to entice the audience to continue reading the composition. Therefore, writers should craft strong, detailed introduction paragraphs because this paragraph is the seed from which their writing will grow.

7. Now knowing what an introduction needs, lets assemble our materials and apply these to our introduction formula. Lead/Hook sentence. + Sentence toIntroduce Claim 1. + Sentence to Introduce Claim + Sentence to Introduce Claim 3. + Thesis statement Remember: LeadClaimsThesis

8. Directions: As you are introduced to each component of an Introductory Paragraph, label the diagram below. Constructing an Introduction Paragraph These sentences are included to introduce your topic and supporting claims. (Your Body Paragraph claims/ main ideas) These pieces are combined to build your introduction. After completing the diagram with details to include in an introductory paragraph, good writers check to ensure that their ___________________, _________________, and _____________ are all related. Are the G/ T/ and Th all connected to one another? Are they related?

9. Constructing an Introduction Paragraph Directions: As you are introduced to each component of an Introductory Paragraph, label the diagram below. Lead/Grabber Purpose: To capture audience’s attention Main Idea of Body Paragraph 1 Topic/Subject Purpose: To introduce subject and supporting details Main Idea of Body Paragraph 2 Thesis Purpose: To state argument Main Idea of Body Paragraph 3 After completing the diagram with details to include in an introductory paragraph, good writers check to ensure that their ___________________, _________________, and _____________ are all related. Are the G/ T/ and Th all connected to one another? Are they related?

10. Constructing an Introduction Paragraph for My Example Intro Directions: As you are introduced to each component of an Introductory Paragraph, label the diagram below. Grabber: –Many writing experts consider the introduction paragraph to be a difficult component. MI1: Include vital information to show writer’s message Topic: – Introductory paragraphs MI2: Outline of writer’s argument Thesis:Writers should craft strong, detailed introduction paragraphs because this paragraph is the seed from which their writing will grow. MI3: Entices the audience to continue reading After completing the diagram with details to include in an introductory paragraph, good writers check to ensure that the grabber, topic, and thesis are all related. Note: The information presented next to the yellow boxes is information that I already have in my draft. I only need to identify these sentences and thesis statement, not create new ideas! My lead/grabber statement is the only new component to create to complete my formula. Are the G/ T/ and Th all connected to one another? Are they related?

11. Constructing My Introduction • Once I have completed my planning, I can piece my sentences into my introduction paragraph formula. • 1.) Lead/Hook sentence. • 2.) Sentence toIntroduce Claim 1. • 3.) Sentence to Introduce Claim 2. • 4.) Sentence to Introduce Claim 3. • 5.) Thesis statement • Your should/should not statement

12. Grabber: –Many writing experts consider the introduction to be the most difficult component of an essay. MI1: Introductory paragraphs include vital information to show writer’s message Topic: – Introductory paragraphs MI2: Introductory paragraphs outline of writer’s argument Thesis:Writers should craft strong, detailed introduction paragraphs because this paragraph is the seed from which their writing will grow. MI3: Introductory paragraphs entice the audience to continue reading. According to many writing experts, the introductory paragraph is considered to be the most difficult component of an essay to compose. Introductory paragraphs include vital information to guide the reader.Additionally, the introduction works as an outline of the writer’s argument.Another important role of the introductory paragraph is to include an engaging hook to entice the audience to continue reading the composition.*Therefore, writers should craft strong, detailed introduction paragraphs because this paragraph is the seed from which their writing will grow. **Rather than introduce my Claim 2 and Claim 3 independently, I will combine the details together in a compound sentence when I revise using the conjunction “and.” This new sentence still expresses my claims in order, but without sounding repetitive in my phrasing. See my final introduction on the next slide.**

13. According to many writing experts, the introductory paragraph is considered to be the most difficult component of an essay to compose.Introductory paragraphs include vital information to guide the reader.Additionally, the introduction works as an outline of the writer’s argument, and includes an engaging hook to entice the audience to continue reading the composition.Therefore, writers should craft strong, detailed introduction paragraphs because this paragraph is the seed from which their writing will grow.