In the writing section of your In the writing section of your binders . . . binders . . .

Pretend that you are introducing Pretend that you are introducing someone who you admire at an someone who you admire at an awards ceremony. What would awards ceremony. What would you say about this person? you say about this person?

Give a brief introduction. Try to get your Give a brief introduction. Try to get your audience’s attention, be detail oriented audience’s attention, be detail oriented and explain why this person is a good and explain why this person is a good candidate. candidate.

Attention Grabbing IntroductionsAttention Grabbing Introductions

Goals: Goals: 1.1. Acquire knowledge of writing effective Acquire knowledge of writing effective

essay introductions. essay introductions.

2. Restructure paragraphs to create an 2. Restructure paragraphs to create an effective introduction. effective introduction.

3. Create effective introductions according 3. Create effective introductions according to correct structure. to correct structure.

Effective IntroductionsEffective Introductions

Two major elements you must Two major elements you must ALWAYS keep in mind before ALWAYS keep in mind before accomplishing any writing task are: accomplishing any writing task are:

• PurposePurpose• Audience Audience

Purpose Purpose

Three tasks that introductory Three tasks that introductory paragraphs must accomplish are:paragraphs must accomplish are:

• Getting the reader’s attention Getting the reader’s attention • Providing any necessary background Providing any necessary background

information information • Specifically explaining your topic and Specifically explaining your topic and

attitude towards it attitude towards it

Resources Resources

Two important resources you will Two important resources you will need to accomplish these tasks are: need to accomplish these tasks are:

• Attention grabber as the first sentence Attention grabber as the first sentence • Thesis statement Thesis statement

Structure Structure The structure of an introductory paragraph The structure of an introductory paragraph

includes: includes:

• An attention grabbing sentenceAn attention grabbing sentence• General information about the topic General information about the topic • Specific information about the topic Specific information about the topic • Thesis statement Thesis statement

**Remember the structure as an inverted **Remember the structure as an inverted triangle (least specific to most specific).triangle (least specific to most specific).

Avoiding Errors Avoiding Errors

NEVER announce your intentions. NEVER announce your intentions. Example: “In this essay, I am going to tell Example: “In this essay, I am going to tell

you why friendship is important.” you why friendship is important.”

NEVER use a dictionary definition.NEVER use a dictionary definition. Example: “According to Webster’s Example: “According to Webster’s

dictionary, friendship is a noun that means dictionary, friendship is a noun that means the state of being friendly.” the state of being friendly.”

Avoiding Errors Avoiding Errors

NEVER appear uncertain about NEVER appear uncertain about your topicyour topic. .

Example: “I agree that Facebook is Example: “I agree that Facebook is addicting and usage should be addicting and usage should be limited, but I like it so I would be limited, but I like it so I would be angry if I had to stop using it so angry if I had to stop using it so much.” much.”

Attention Grabbers Attention Grabbers Methods to grab your reader’s attention include: Methods to grab your reader’s attention include:

• Stating a fact or statisticStating a fact or statistic (“Most people establish lifelong friendships (“Most people establish lifelong friendships

between the ages of 15 and 25.”) between the ages of 15 and 25.”)

• Anecdotal or compelling storyAnecdotal or compelling story (“Doris and Carolyn met when they were only 17. (“Doris and Carolyn met when they were only 17.

Now, they are both 75 years old and have been Now, they are both 75 years old and have been through multiple, joyful births and the heart through multiple, joyful births and the heart wrenching deaths of their husbands. With wrenching deaths of their husbands. With happiness, there is also sadness, yet Doris and happiness, there is also sadness, yet Doris and Carolyn have cherished their lifelong Carolyn have cherished their lifelong friendship.”)friendship.”)

Attention Grabbers Attention Grabbers

A relevant quotationA relevant quotation

(“A real friend is one who walks in when (“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”) the rest of the world walks out.”)

The writer’s attitude toward the The writer’s attitude toward the subjectsubject

(“Friendship is a key element to sustaining (“Friendship is a key element to sustaining a happy, healthy social life.”) a happy, healthy social life.”)

Sample Sample

On the bottom of your notes, On the bottom of your notes, there is a correct sample of what there is a correct sample of what your introduction should look like. your introduction should look like. Think about the following:Think about the following:

• What method does the writer use to get What method does the writer use to get the reader’s attention? the reader’s attention?

• Can you tell where the general Can you tell where the general information becomes specific? information becomes specific?

• Is the thesis specific and direct? Is the thesis specific and direct?

1. 1. Fill in the attention grabber.Fill in the attention grabber. 2. Friendship is one of the most useful 2. Friendship is one of the most useful

tools a person can possess. tools a person can possess. 3. 3. Fill in with general information.Fill in with general information. 4. Many movies, specifically 4. Many movies, specifically Toy StoryToy Story, ,

demonstrate why friendship is demonstrate why friendship is necessary to daily life. necessary to daily life.

5. 5. Fill in with specific informationFill in with specific information. . 6. 6. Buzz and Woody eventually form a Buzz and Woody eventually form a

bond that will help save Buzz’s life. bond that will help save Buzz’s life. 7. 7. Thesis: Forming friendships is the Thesis: Forming friendships is the

most essential aspect in the movie most essential aspect in the movie Toy Toy StoryStory because all of the toys are able because all of the toys are able to help each other conquer obstacles to help each other conquer obstacles instead of suffer. instead of suffer.

Introduction Unscramble Introduction Unscramble

Unscramble the sentences to form a correct Unscramble the sentences to form a correct paragraph using the effective structure. paragraph using the effective structure.

ANSWERS: ANSWERS: 1. D1. D2. B2. B3. F3. F4. G4. G5. A5. A6. C6. C7. E7. E

Friendship Introduction Friendship Introduction

Use the organizer to begin working Use the organizer to begin working on your essay’s introduction. on your essay’s introduction.

In closing . . . In closing . . .

List the parts of an effective List the parts of an effective introduction structure. introduction structure.

Explain some useful techniques to Explain some useful techniques to grab the reader’s attention. grab the reader’s attention.

List some techniques you should List some techniques you should AVOID AVOID in an introduction. in an introduction.