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Hook, Set-Up,
Preview, Claim
 Hook
the Reader’s Interest
 Show That the Topic Is Significant
 Establish the Context/Problem
 Introduce the Main Claim
 Preview the Argument to Come
a)
Attention grabbing facts and statistics - alone or in
combination with one of the following strategies
b)
A story (real or hypothetical) or a case study - can
move, intrigue or shock the reader
c)
d)
An example - illustrates something at the heart of the argument
The moment before the moment – dramatically sets the
stage by showing the reader how something important changed
9/11/2001
8:45 a.m.
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Show that a phenomenon is widespread and
important – the percentage of Americans who suffer from
eating disorders, number of acts of violence in an episode of a
children’s show, number of teen pregnancies in 2011, number of
bottled waters sold in 2010
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Show that something is changing – increase in
unemployment, increase in cost of college tuition, decline in the
number of glaciers in Glacier National Park since 2000
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Compare or contrast two things – deaths from heart
disease and deaths from cancer; number of anticipated new job
openings in a field and the number of estimated new graduates in
that field
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A well-chosen, well-told story or case study
enables the reader to “relate” to the topic in a
personal way AND introduces the main concepts
and concerns of the argument
Case studies should be real
A story can be real or hypothetical – tell the
reader which it is
The story or case study should only include
details relevant to the paper
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Includes all the working parts of the claim
Is about someone or something that is an accurate
example for your argument
Works well in combination with facts and
statistics
Warning: Too few details results in a weak effect
and/or allows too much for reader interpretation
Warning: Including lots of extraneous details
confuses and even irritates the reader
Warning: Using an exceptional case undermines
your argument
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Examples, like stories, give the reader something
to “visualize” and relate to
It is up to you to describe the example in ways that
draw the reader’s attention to the characteristics
that matter to your paper
Examples can be people, places, things, events,
visual images, TV shows, music lyrics, books and
other text, etc.
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Examples work when you point out to the reader
what he/she/they should notice
Examples have maximum effect if you continue to
refer to them in the body of your paper
Examples work well with facts and statistics
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Different introduction strategies should be
combined in a seamless way
Combining a story/case study or an example with
facts and statistics
◦ Jane is one of ________ Americans who has
experienced _______ - transitions from specific to
general
◦ Fifty million Americans have endured _________. Like
those Americans, John suffered ________ - transitions
from general to specific
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Use similar techniques with examples
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Sets the stage for a dramatic change by telling the
reader what it was like before something
happened.
◦ At 8:45 a.m. on 9/11/2001 Americans still believed that
American soil was safe. At 8:46, flight 11 slammed into
the World Trade Center and everything changed.
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Important topics are worth reading about
A topic is important because its effects are
widespread
A topic is significant because its effects cause
serious harm
A topic is significant because its effects cause
serious benefits
A topic is significant because failing to pay
attention will have serious consequences
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It is not enough to say that your topic is important
– you must demonstrate it
Facts and statistics are the easiest way to
demonstrate significance
Claims by highly credible experts can also be
helpful – but be careful of biased sources!
It is enough to show that a topic is significant to a
particular group – everyone in the world does not
have to care
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Present the cultural, historical, and/or other
backdrops against which you are making your
argument
◦ Examples: Current popularity of organic food; recent nuclear
power plant accidents; rising popularity of hybrid vehicles
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Locate the leading edge research on which your
project has focused
◦ Language like: Until recently scientists thought …; Although
many believe …; Recent studies have shown _____ but the
question of ______ remains open; Recent research has
focused on ________ but failed to adequately explore
________.
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Contextual information can be presented in more
detail early in the body of the argument – do not
take up too much time in the introduction
Like other introductory material, contextual
information should be concisely delivered –
enough detail but not too much
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Introduce the Main Claim near the end of the
introduction so that the reader will remember it as
the argument begins
The acknowledgement, or “Although” clause,
should be closely related to your argument and
introduction
Once your draft is complete, make sure that the
Main Claim is what you actually argued in the
paper
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The typical reader wants a general roadmap
The “becauses” associated with the Main Claim
preview the argument to come
The preview may be presented in several sentences
that follow the Main Claim
The preview should not present specific evidence