Elements of an Essay - Writing an Introduction Paragraph
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The document outlines the key elements of crafting an effective introduction paragraph for an essay, emphasizing the importance of engaging hooks, background information, and a clear thesis statement. It suggests various types of hooks such as literary quotes, well-known quotes, rhetorical questions, anecdotes, and statistics, each serving to draw in the reader. Additionally, it provides guidance on how to tailor background information based on the essay type, whether informative, persuasive, or literary analysis.
Elements of an Essay - Writing an Introduction Paragraph
- 1. Elements of an Essay Introduction Paragraphs
- 2. The introduction paragraph Is the heart of the essay.
- 3. It is the 1st impression readers get of your essay
- 4. What Should my Intro Paragraph Include? Hook Back- ground Info Thesis
- 5. WRITING HOOKS A hook should grab your reader’s attention and encourage them to want to keep reading.
- 6. A Literary Quote Try starting your introduction paragraph with a literary quote.
- 7. An example of a literary quote If you are writing an essay about persevering, consider writing a literary quote hook like the one on the following slide.
- 8. “Tomorrow is another day.” This quote by author Margaret Mitchell in her 1939 novel Gone with the Wind, emphasizes that no matter what trials we are facing today, the new light of tomorrow can provide us with hope for the future hookLiterary quote
- 9. “A literary quote can be a powerful statement drawing readers in with descriptive language.
- 10. A Well-Known Quote Try starting your introduction paragraph with a quote known by a well-known figure.
- 11. An example of a well-known quote Maybe you are writing an essay about leadership, consider writing a well-known quote hook like the one on the following slide.
- 12. “Our deepest fear Is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, which most frightens us.” Here, Nelson Mandela, revolutionary politician and philanthropist, explains our fears are much more about achieving success than about failing. hookWell-known quote
- 13. “A quote by a well-known person can inspire your reader to think deeply and desire to keep reading to understand the connection between your quote and your essay.
- 14. A Rhetorical Question Try starting your introduction paragraph with a rhetorical question.
- 15. An example of a rhetorical question If you are writing an essay about bullying, consider writing a rhetorical question hook like the one on the following slide.
- 16. How would you feel if your child came home, crying and distraught, telling you about another student at school who had called him horrible names? hookLiterary quote
- 17. “A rhetorical question encourages the reader to become invested in your essay.
- 18. An Anecdote Try starting your introduction paragraph with an anecdote.
- 19. An example of an anecdote Perhaps your essay is about courage, consider writing an anecdotal quote hook like the one on the following slide.
- 20. A veteran of the Vietnam War admitted that every time he prepared for battle, he experienced great fear. Even so, he is a man of incredible courage. Courage is not defined by the lack of fear, but by the ability to take action in the face of fear. hookAnecdote
- 21. “Using an anecdote will present the reader with a real person, allowing them to be more invested in the essay.
- 22. A Statistic Try starting your introduction paragraph with a statistic.
- 23. An example of a rhetorical question If you are writing an essay about modern family life, consider writing a rhetorical question hook like the one on the following slide.
- 24. Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce. This percentage reflects the ever-changing family dynamic. hookStatistic
- 25. “A statistic creates authority, lending your reader to trust you and your opinion presented in your essay.
- 26. BACKGROUND INFO The background information in the introduction is a bridge that will connect your hook to the thesis statement.
- 27. Determine which type of essay you are writing: Informative Essay Persuasive Essay Literary Analysis Essay Then write your background information based on your essay type.
- 28. Informative Essay For this background info, write sentences with details that will help your reader understand the topic.
- 29. If writing on the Black Plague it would help the reader to know details about the time period, how many people died, what areas were affected, etc. Informative Background Info
- 30. Persuasive Essay For this background info, give the reader information about both sides of the argument.
- 31. If writing on Peeta vs. Gale you would present both camps, telling the reader why some people believe Gale is better for Katniss and why others prefer Peeta. Persuasive Background Info
- 32. Literary Analysis For this background info, give the reader technical or contextual information about the novel or topic.
- 33. If writing on Daisy’s character from The Great Gatsby you could define characterization and discuss Daisy and Gatsby’s personal relationship. Persuasive Background Info
- 34. Now you have all you need to write a powerful introduction paragraph.
- 35. For additional support Call Oxford Tutoring (949) 681-0388 Or check us out online:
- 36. Credits Special thanks to all the people who made and released these awesome resources for free: ▧ Presentation template by SlidesCarnival ▧ Photographs by Unsplash ▧ Backgrounds by Pixeden