Transcript Introductory Paragraphs

Introductory Paragraphs
• Introductory Paragraphs should
do 3 things:
• 1. Catch the reader’s interest
• 2. Set the tone for the essay
(academic, formal, comical, ironic,
etc.)
• 3. Present the thesis
6 Ways to Catch the Reader’s
Interest
• For each of the following 6 techniques, make
sure that all parts of your thesis statement are
addressed in whichever technique you use.
• This will prep your reader for all parts of your
thesis statement, and make your overall
argument more convincing.
• The example thesis we’ll be using for these
techniques is:
The war in Afghanistan is detrimental to the
United States politically, economically, and
militarily.
6 Ways to Catch the Reader’s
Interest
• 1. Begin with a question (but answer it):
Example: Is military conflict without end a
good foreign policy? Most people would
answer no. Yet, the bellicose U.S. foreign
policy continues to weaken all major parts
of our nation. The war in Afghanistan is an
example of this policy and is detrimental to
the United States politically, economically,
and militarily.
6 Ways to Catch the Reader’s
Interest
• 2. Begin with an anecdote (short, intriguing
story):
Example: Outside the U.S. embassy, the Afghan
people protested the presence of United States
troops by yelling for them to leave, and
threatening boycotts and violence. This lack of
popular support is a recipe for foreign policy
disaster and is why the war in Afghanistan is
detrimental to the United States politically,
economically, and militarily.
6 Ways to Catch the Reader’s
Interest
• 3. State a startling fact:
Example: After the worldwide loss of respect for
the U.S., 6,778 U.S. soldiers dead, and over
$776,000,000,000 spent it is time for our
soldiers to come home from Afghanistan. The
costs of this ill-planned war are too high and
will continue to rise for the foreseeable future.
Clearly, the war in Afghanistan is detrimental
to the United States politically, economically,
and militarily.
6 Ways to Catch the Reader’s
Interest
• Example Thesis: 4. Begin with background
information:
Example: It is estimated that the United States’
occupation of Afghanistan will diminish our
political standing, burden our grandchildren
with crushing debt, and stretch our military
dangerously thin. It is inconceivable that one
foolish generation be allowed to ruin the
future of the next. The war in Afghanistan will
do this, because it is detrimental to the United
States politically, economically, and militarily.
6 Ways to Catch the Reader’s
Interest
• 5. Begin with a quotation (from a well-known person
or expert in the topic):
Example: President Obama proclaimed, “All of our
combat troops will be brought home from
Afghanistan” during a presidential debate. Now, nine
years after that political campaign speech, the war
continues to drain our resources and dishearten our
military. There must be an end to this campaign,
because the war in Afghanistan is detrimental to
the United States politically, economically, and
militarily.
After your Opening Technique and
your Thesis Statement
• After stating your thesis statement,
summarize/preview the points you will
make in your body paragraph. Not longer
than 1-2 sentences per topic (save your
really good points for you body
paragraphs)