INTRODUCTIONS

1. INTRODUCTIONS • Why are they important? • What makes a GREAT intro?

2. Why is a GREAT intro important? • “First impression” of you and your paper • Introduces the topic in a basic way • Serves as a map to your paper

3. What Makes a GREAT Intro… Let’s look at the parts: • A snappy attention catcher • Gets your reader interested • Relevant background information • Briefs your reader on the topic • A clear 3-prong thesis • Provides a map for the reader

4. Let’s decipher the parts: It is nearly impossible to imagine two-thirds of the population being suddenly wiped out, but that is exactly what happened to the Jews during the Holocaust. During that time, over six million people were killed—and many more tortured and brutalized—by Hitler and the Nazis in concentration camps. Although these camps claimed to be “work” camps for the Jews during their relocation, they often became their final resting place. While the last concentration camp closed over fifty years ago, it is still important to understand the alleged purpose of the camps, the tragedies that happened, and the effects the camps had on modern history.

5. It is nearly impossible to imagine two-thirds of the population being suddenly wiped out, but that is exactly what happened to the Jews during the Holocaust. (Attention catcher)During that time, over six million people were killed—and many more tortured and brutalized—by Hitler and the Nazis in concentration camps. Although these camps claimed to be “work” camps for the Jews during their relocation, they often became their final resting place. (Background)While the last concentration camp closed over fifty years ago, it is still important to understand the alleged purpose of the camps, the tragedies that happened, and the effects the camps had on modern history. (Thesis)

6. Getting Attention • Use a surprising fact or statistic: The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary. • Throw in some humor: When my older brother substituted fresh eggs for our hard-boiled Easter eggs, he didn’t realize our father would take the first crack at hiding them. • State a powerful quote: Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” • Use an anecdote or short story: Yesterday morning I watched as my older sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped onto the bus …

7. Why questions may not be best… • Sometimes questions can be interpreted as “yes” or “no” (even though you may ask them in a more creative way). This can alienate the reader and make them stop reading your essay if they do not agree with your question.

8. Practice with a partner: • Write a sample introductory paragraph ONLY (including the three parts) with a partner on the following prompt: The school board is deciding whether students at your school should begin wearing uniforms. Write an essay describing whether or not you think this is a good idea. Provide support for your argument.

9. Hint: • You may want to try out one of the attention-catching strategies we learned about today!

10. Remember the Rubric: • Effective attention catcher: 1 2 3 4 5 • Relevant background info: 1 2 3 4 5 • A clear three-prong thesis: 1 2 3 4 5

11. Trade and grade… • Please trade your sample introduction with another pair sitting around you and grade them on the 3 part rubric.

12. Let’s share… • As a whole class!

13. Mini-lesson Conclusion: • Before we go on to working on our homework, please list one new thing you learned about creating a great introduction on your sample paragraph. I will be collecting these shortly.

14. Writing Workshop Time • Write an intro paragraph based on the thesis statement you created yesterday (about someone inspirational to you). It must include the three elements: • Attention catcher • Background • 3-prong Thesis (you already have this part) • A draft is due TOMORROW (in your writer’s notebook).