What Makes a good introduction?

1. What Makes a good introduction? And why are they so freaking important!?

3. Why bother writing a good introduction? • You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The opening paragraph of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work. A vague, disorganized, error-filled, off-the-wall, or boring introduction will create a negative impression. On the other hand, an engaging, and well-written introduction will start your readers off thinking highly of you, your writing, and your paper.

4. Why bother writing a good introduction? • Your introduction is an important road map for the rest of your paper. Your introduction conveys a lot of information to your readers. You can let them know what your topic is, why it is important, and how you plan to proceed with your discussion. After reading your introduction, your readers should not have any major surprises in store when they read the main body of your paper.

5. Why bother writing a good introduction? • Ideally, your introduction will make your readers want to read your paper. The introduction should capture your readers’ interest, making them want to read the rest of your paper. Opening with a compelling story, a fascinating quotation, an interesting question, or a stirring example can get your readers to see why this topic matters and serve as an invitation for them to join you for an interesting intellectual conversation.

6. What stands out about this introductory paragraph? • Does it tell you what you’re going to read it about? • Are there any major problems with it? • What else could be done?

7. How do you make a good introduction? • Step 1: Determine what the essay is about. Some essay questions might ask whether you are for or against an issue. You should first think about what the question is asking and how they will approach it.

8. How do you make a good introduction? • Step 2: Write the introduction so it clearly states the response to the essay question. You could write, "This article aims to show that students will perform better in school if they start later in the day." Next, students should mention the reasons why they believe that and the points they'll make to support their positions. This can include statements such as "Having too little sleep makes kids less able to focus in class."

9. How do you make a good introduction? • Step 3: Craft a compelling first sentence to catch readers' interest and make them curious enough to read the essay.Hook your reader! The first few sentences of the essay set up the tone and voice of the essay.

10. How do you make a good introduction? • Step 4: Ensure that the introduction outlines what will be discussed in the rest of essay. Briefly mention the points that will back up the topic statement. The introduction should present main arguments on the question or issue.

11. How do you make a good introduction? • REMEMBER: • DETERMINE what the essay is about. • STATE the response to the essay question. • CRAFT an interesting opening sentence. • OUTLINE what will be talked about in the rest of the essay.

12. Is this a good intro?

13. How about this?

14. Or this?

15. Okay, now YOU try! • In your journal, write an introductory paragraph to an essay where the question is “Should students be allowed to listen to music in the classroom? Why or why not?”

16. Okay, now YOU try! • Now try a second prompt: “Should teachers be paid based on students’ grades? Why or why not?”

17. Okay, now YOU try! • Last one: “Should students be able to buy junk food in school or only healthy foods? Why?”