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How to write an How to write an Introductory Introductory paragraphparagraph

“A drop of ink may make a million think.” - Anonymous

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When you write an When you write an introductory paragraph, introductory paragraph,

keep in mind that: keep in mind that: Writing an introductory Writing an introductory

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

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

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Remember that the Remember that the Introductory Introductory Paragraph:Paragraph:

Is the most important paragraph of Is the most important paragraph of the essaythe essay

Must be at least 50 words long or Must be at least 50 words long or three sentences minimumthree sentences minimum

Needs to do three thingsNeeds to do three things Briefly introduce the topicBriefly introduce the topic Cleary state your positionCleary state your position Provide three reasons Provide three reasons

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Even though there are Even though there are several ways to begin an several ways to begin an

essay, I recommend essay, I recommend that you choose one that you choose one

particular method and particular method and perfect it. perfect it.

Why?Why?

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Because if you keep Because if you keep using the same method, using the same method,

you will...you will...

Become an expert in this Become an expert in this particular method.particular method.

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

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Let us consider different Let us consider different types of introductory types of introductory

paragraphs...paragraphs...

General statement introductionGeneral statement introduction

Question introductionQuestion introduction

AnecdoteAnecdote

StatisticStatistic

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Examples of general Examples of general statement introductionstatement introduction

Every day the newspapers, television, and Every day the newspapers, television, and radio news programs are flooded with stories radio news programs are flooded with stories about the tragic results of drug addiction.about the tragic results of drug addiction.

One of the Surgeon General’s latest public-One of the Surgeon General’s latest public-health crusades is a fight against the health crusades is a fight against the growing tide of fat and flab among American growing tide of fat and flab among American children.children.

Mountain bikes have taken over the bicycle Mountain bikes have taken over the bicycle industry. industry.

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

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Examples of question Examples of question introductionintroduction

Are standardized tests a fair measure of Are standardized tests a fair measure of academic potential?academic potential?

Should handgun ownership be outlawed Should handgun ownership be outlawed in the United States?in the United States?

Can mountain bikers peacefully coexist Can mountain bikers peacefully coexist with hikers on wilderness trails?with hikers on wilderness trails?

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

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Statistic IntroductionStatistic Introduction A recent article in Time magazine states that the A recent article in Time magazine states that the

viewing of extremely violent television shows is the viewing of extremely violent television shows is the number one cause of violence in our inner cities. number one cause of violence in our inner cities.

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

A recent Gallup poll reported that 75%of Americans A recent Gallup poll reported that 75%of Americans consider themselves to be environmentalists.consider themselves to be environmentalists.

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

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AnecdoteAnecdote

Yesterday, seven year old Billy Barnes Yesterday, seven year old Billy Barnes came home at 3:30 and let himself into his came home at 3:30 and let himself into his house with his key. After fixing himself a house with his key. After fixing himself a snack of five Oreo cookies and a glass of snack of five Oreo cookies and a glass of soda, Billy watched television (MTV) for soda, Billy watched television (MTV) for two hours. When Billy telephoned his two hours. When Billy telephoned his mother at work, she was in a meeting and mother at work, she was in a meeting and couldn’t talk to him. Billy represents a couldn’t talk to him. Billy represents a growing number of latchkey children who growing number of latchkey children who feel neglected, don’t do their homework, feel neglected, don’t do their homework, and get in trouble when they get older. and get in trouble when they get older.

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In the next three slides In the next three slides you will view you will view

completed introductory completed introductory paragraphs. paragraphs.

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General statement General statement introductionintroduction

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

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Interrogatory Interrogatory introductionintroduction

SShould smoking be hould smoking be banned in all public places? banned in all public places? This question is the subject This question is the subject of many discussions and of many discussions and arguments in towns across arguments in towns across our country. Smoking our country. Smoking should be outlawed should be outlawed because it endangers because it endangers everyone’s health, it everyone’s health, it pollutes the environment, pollutes the environment, and it drains people of and it drains people of valuable energy.valuable energy.

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Statistic Statistic introductionintroduction

An article in the New An article in the New York Times recently stated York Times recently stated that smoking is the greatest that smoking is the greatest threat to our health. The threat to our health. The whole country is divided on whole country is divided on this issue. Tobacco should this issue. Tobacco should be outlawed because it be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s endangers everyone’s health, it pollutes the health, it pollutes the environment, and it drains environment, and it drains valuable resources.valuable resources.

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Final reminders !!!!Final reminders !!!!

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

introduce topicintroduce topic

state positionstate position

provide reasons provide reasons

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