Introductory paragraphs

Persuasive Essays

Intro Paragraph

A well written intro paragraph should contain the following:

An interesting lead-in that catches the reader’s attention and presents the topic and position of the writer

A tie-in between the lead and the thesis A thesis statement

Lead-Ins

To write a strong and impressive lead-in, try the To write a strong and impressive lead-in, try the following strategies:following strategies:

State your position on the topicState your position on the topic Problem or riddleProblem or riddle Surprising statistic or factSurprising statistic or fact QuestionQuestion Brief storyBrief story QuotationQuotation Catchy phraseCatchy phrase

State your position

All Americans should not be required to perform two years of military service.

Problem or riddle

Bill Clinton did it. George Bush and Dick Cheney tried it. Joe Biden got away with it, and even “The Duke” John Wayne gave it a shot. As one may have guessed, all of these famous people dodged the military draft.

Surprising fact or statistic

Buried deep within the No Child Left Behind Act is a provision that requires public high schools to hand over students' private contact information to military recruiters. If a school does not comply, it risks losing vital federal education funds. As if that weren't bad enough, the Pentagon has now built an illegal database of 30 million 16 to 25-year-olds as another recruitment tool.

Question

Is the military really for everyone? Should all 18 year old-high school graduates be required to risk their lives for the sake of their country?

Brief story

While flipping through the channels, something unbelievable grabs my attention. On the bottom left hand corner of the 64 inch plasma is a video depicting three 7 year olds holding automatic weapons too large to clutch. I gaze on in horror. “The war,” the reporter continues, “is far from over, America.”

Famous quote

Nathan Hale, a martyr soldier of the American Revolution, once proclaimed, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Catchy phrase

America is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The Tie-In

Background information Why this topic is important Your position on the topic

Thesis statement

1. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

2. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

3. It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work.

Example intro

While flipping through the channels, something unbelievable grabs my attention. On the bottom left hand corner of the 64 inch plasma is a video depicting three 7 year olds holding automatic weapons too large to clutch. I gaze on in horror. “The war,” the reporter continues, “is far from over, America.”

Tie-In

Importance of the topic: As the need for military support stretches thin, there sprouts an overwhelming need of troops in our country and abroad.

Thesis

To ensure that a sufficient number of troops are available in a time of crisis, all Americans should be required to perform two years of military service in order to uphold the theory of utilitarianism and the social contract.

Now You do ONE!!