Writing introductory paragraph

 Writing Introductory Paragraphs:     

Here is an example introductory paragraph. 

Prompt: What are some benefits of being a vegetarian? 

 

    The smell of steak being barbecued on a summer night is a familiar sensation for all of us. Eating hot dogs at baseball games as well as ordering hamburgers from fast food restaurants are all a part of life for many Amerians. Meat is at the center of the table during most meals and it is thought of as being important for good health by most.However, there are a growing number of people who no longer eat meat. They have switched over to a vegetarian diet even though it is definitely out of the mainstream of American life.  Vegetarians not only feel that not eating meat will improve their health(1), but they also feel it will cut down on cruelty to farm animals(2) as well as help protect the environment(3). (131 words) 

Practice:

1. What is the hook in the above paragraph? 

2. What is the thesis statement?

3. How many developmental paragraphs will there be?  Think of a topic sentence for each developmental paragraph.  Show a connection by using a transition word/phrase for each one.

 

Possible topic sentences:

  One benefit of being a vegetarian is they have healthier lives. 

  Another benefit of being a vegetarian is that farm animals won’t be abused. 

 Finally, the last reason it is better to be a vegetarian is that it can help save the planet. 

 

 

 

 

 

A. When you write an introduction, you should think about the following points:

 

1. The introduction should be inviting. It should be interesting enough to make the reader want to continue reading. The writer’s job is to “hook” the reader-to get the reader so interested in the topic and the writer’s idea about the topic that the reader will want to read the entire essay.  Some of the ways to do this are:

a. to give background information.

b. to tell an interesting little story. 

c. to present the other side of the argument. 

d. to use a quotation and then to explain it.

 

2. The introductory paragraph will give the following:

a. The topic-what the essay is about.

b. The thesis statement- the writer’s attitude or idea about the topic.

 

    3. The thesis statement should be the last sentence in the introductory paragraph.

   

 

  B. What is a thesis statement?

 

The thesis statement is the main idea sentence for the entire essay. It gives the attitude, opinion, or idea that the writer is going to develop in the essay. Like a topic sentence, the thesis statement tells the topic and the controlling idea. Unlike a topic sentence, it controls the whole essay, not just one paragraph. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is another example introductory paragraph. This is from an OER (Open Education Resources) textbook:

 

Prompt:  Describe a negative emotion and how it can affect people. 

   

There is a famous expression in English: "Stop the world;  I want to get off!" This expression refers to a feeling of panic, or stress, that makes a person want to stop whatever they are doing, try to relax, and become calm again. However, people aren’t always able to control their environment to prevent these negative feelings.  Stress is an inevitable part of living in the modern world.  There are so many demands that people face with work, family, and school. 'Stress' means pressure or tension. It is one of the most common causes of health problems in modern life. Too much stress results in physical (1), emotional(2), and mental health problems(3).  (111 words)  

Practice: 

1. What is the hook?

2. What is the thesis statement?

3. How many developmental paragraphs will there be?  Think of a topic sentence for each developmental paragraph.  Show a connection by using a transition word/phrase for each one.

 

  The first problem with stress is that it can hurt your body. 

 Along with hurting you physically, stress can be harmful to your feelings. 

 The last negative effect of stress is the way it can cause mental illness.