KDDK 1

“One today is worth two tomorrows.” Ben Franklin

Writing an introductory paragraph is like greeting someone. The paragraph should be short and to the point like saying, “Hello!”

Also, you don’t want to get into the meat of the essay. Simply give the audience a concise idea of your essay’s purpose.

KDDK 2

Is the most important paragraph of the essay

Must be at least 50 words long or three sentences minimum

Needs to do three things Briefly introduce the topic Cleary state your position Provide reasons of support

KDDK 3

KDDK 4

You can become an expert at grabbing a reader’s attention

Moreover, if you already know how you will begin your essay, you will be more prepared, relaxed, and confident as you continue writing.

KDDK 5

General statement introduction

Question introduction

Quotation introduction

ExclamationKDDK 6

Almost every time that you turn on the television you will find a number of shows which are extremely violent.

Many public schools have decided that their students should use uniforms.

In the United States of America the public burning of our flag has become a common sight.

(These are three different example of how you can begin your paragraph. If you will notice in the first sentence you simply introduce the topic. You do not state your position yet.)

KDDK 7

Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence on prime time television?

Do you think that to improve our public school education the students should be required to wear uniforms?

Should we allow citizens to burn the United States flag in public?

(You can also begin your essay by asking a question. A question usually takes you to the heart of the problem quickly.)

KDDK 8

A recent article in Time magazine states that the viewing of extremely violent television shows is the number one cause of violence in our inner cities.

The Monitor recently conducted a study and concluded that students in public schools where uniforms are mandatory have less problems and perform better academically.

A recent article in The Austin Statesman states that most Americans are very much against flag burning in public and are in favor of passing a law banning this activity.

(Finally, you can begin an essay by providing some information from a magazine or newspaper you might have read. This introduction is a bit more difficult to write, but just as effective as the other ones.)

KDDK 9

KDDK 10

The plan was about to crash!

It was a shot that changed America!

What a mistake!

KDDK 11

Today smoking is an issue which is on everybody’s mind. The whole country is divided on this issue. Some people believe that smoking should be banned everywhere while others are not so harsh. However, I believe that tobacco should be outlawed because smoking endangers everyone’s health, pollutes the environment, and drains us of valuable energy.

KDDK 12

What do you think about banning smoking? The whole country is divided on whether smoking should be banned. I firmly believe that smoking should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health; it pollutes the environment, and it drains us of valuable energy.

KDDK 13

In The Monitor it was recently stated that smoking is the greatest threat to our health. The whole country is divided on this issue. I believe that tobacco should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health; it pollutes the environment, and it drains of valuable resources. (49)

KDDK 14

A shot was fired! The result of one bullet forever ended the life of Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln led the country during the Civil War which was a time when the United States was in shambles. Lincoln’s steady leadership is one of the factors that made this president a great American.

KDDK 15

Be concise and to the point! Do not go into too much detail! At least 50 words minimum! You must do three things . . . introduce topic

state positionprovide reasons

KDDK 16

Do you think that college athletes should be paid more than just tuition? Many people believe that college athletes should get paid while others believe they should not. I adamantly believe that college athletes should be paid because they practice long hours; the schools are profiting through the athletes efforts, and this would make college life much less stressful for the athletes.

KDDK 17

Complete an introductory paragraph for your research paper.

KDDK 18