Warm Up:
Read the paragraph and correct all of the “commonly
confused” words
Writing Your Introduction
Hook
Broad
Specific
Thesis/Clai
m
The Hook
The purpose is to grab the reader’s attention and draw
him/her into your essay
5 major types of hooks:
Definition or statistic
Quotation
Rhetorical question
Anecdote
Surprising fact
Five Types of Hooks:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Definition or statistic: Merriam-Webster defines
discrimination as “the act, practice, or an instance of
discriminating categorically rather than individually;
prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment”.
Quotation: “Through non-violence, courage displaces
fear; love transforms hate. Acceptance dissipates
prejudice; hope ends despair” (Diane Nash).
Rhetorical question: Can one person truly be
superior to another based on something like race,
sex, or gender?
Anecdote: Every day I grab the brown bag lunch
from my locker and head to the cafeteria with the
same dread, the same pit in my stomach. I know
what awaits me: the giggles, stares, and comments
from my “friends” as I eat what my Papa has made
for my midday meal.
Surprising fact: Under Jim Crow law in the 1960’s, a
black American could be beaten or even killed for just
seeking out the same privileges as a white American.
Writer Beware!
Be careful to avoid these common mistakes while
writing your hook!!
Never directly address the reader (no “you” or
implied “you”)
The hook should be general-- it should not give
away the exact topic of the essay
It should not state your position—guide your
reader to your thesis statement
Starting with it too early is like shoving it into their
face and saying BELIEVE THIS!! (not very effective,
FYI)
What’s wrong?
The attempted hooks are in blue. Turn to a partner or
look at your notes—why would these be ineffective
hooks?
(this is the informative prompt these writers are
trying to address): Write an essay about an unusual
food you have eaten. Explain what makes it so
unusual.
Do you like to eat? What’s the weirdest thing you
ever ate?
Have you ever sat down at lunch only to have your
friends stare and laugh at your food?
Plato said, “Knowledge is food for the soul.”
The weirdest food I ever ate was chocolate
covered ants.
Better Grabbers
The effective hooks are in green. Turn to a partner or
look at your notes—why would these be effective
hooks?
Every day I grab the brown bag lunch from my locker and
head to the cafeteria with the same dread, the same pit in my
stomach. I know what awaits me: the giggles, stares, and
comments from my “friends” as I eat what my Papa has made
for my midday meal.
What makes a certain food considered a delicacy to one
person and grotesque to another?
The actor Woody Allen once said, “I want my food dead --not
sick, not wounded -- dead.” After my trip with my family to
Japan, I can sympathize.
Now it’s your turn
Open to your writing/comp notes section of notebook.
Write two grabbers (using two different types) for your
future paper.
GO!
Thesis statement/Claim
Like a main idea for the entire essay
Belongs at end of introductory paragraph--last (or close to last)
sentence
Should never contain the phrases “I think, I believe, I feel, In my
opinion” etc.
Should be worded as fact, even if it is an opinion
Must clearly answer the task of the prompt
May contain the three supporting ideas or reasons (A, B, C for the three body
paragraphs)
Ex: The Freedom Riders helped the civil rights movement be successful because their
publicized nonviolent protests inspired viewers at home and won the public support of
hundreds of Americans.
Check out my example:
Please read my sample introduction,
then underline and label:
The hook
The thesis statement
The more general information
The more specific information
A few important facts to
remember about introductions:
They are hard to write, and they rarely turn out great
the first time
Switching in a different hook is easy-peasy later—don’t
get hung up on that detail!
It’s better to just write—sitting there does nothing, but
writing (even if you feel like it’s garbage) at least gives
you something to work with
They should ALWAYS be revised after you finish your
body paragraphs
Your Homework:
Develop your own introduction!
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