Introductory Paragraphs
“The beginning is the most
important part of the work.”
~Plato
Functions of an Introductory
Paragraph
•
Informs the reader what the issue is that the writer will be discussing. The
introduction tells what the essay is about.
•
Presents background information that may be necessary to help explain what the
issue is
•
Presents the writer’s main conclusion/THESIS
•
Provides the reader with a road map of the essay so that they know what to expect
– An outline of how your argument will go on
Not Included in an Introductory
Paragraph
•
No explanation of arguments! The introduction is not a place to provide
detailed explanations of your supporting details because these explanations
will occur in your body paragraphs.
•
Do not tell your audience what you are going to do. “I am going to tell you
this…”
Basic Structure of an Introductory
Paragraph
Lead/Hook . Introduce Claim
1. Introduce Claim 2 .
Introduce Claim 3 . Thesis.
Consider This Introduction
In my essay, I am going to tell you about the importance of an introductory
paragraph. My first reason introductory paragraphs are important is because they
include important information to guide the audience, such as main ideas and thesis.
My second body paragraph will tell you about how the introduction functions as the
outline for the reader to know where the writer is going with their ideas. Third, my final
point is that introduction paragraphs engage the audience by including a hook
because without the hook the readers will not be interested in the writing. These are
the reasons why the introduction is important to have.
Clear Thesis?
Interesting lead?
Outline of main ideas?
Consider This Introduction
According to many writing experts, the introductory paragraph is
considered to be the most difficult component of an essay to compose.
Introductory paragraphs include vital information to guide the reader.
Additionally, the introduction works as an outline of the writer’s argument.
Another important role of the introductory paragraph is to include an
engaging hook to entice the audience to continue reading the composition.
Therefore, writers should craft strong, detailed introduction paragraphs
because this paragraph is the seed from which their writing will grow.
Now knowing what an introduction needs,
lets assemble our materials and apply these
to our introduction formula.
Lead/Hook sentence. + Sentence to Introduce Claim 1. + Sentence to Introduce Claim +
Sentence to Introduce Claim 3. + Thesis statement
Remember: Lead Claims Thesis
Constructing an Introduction Paragraph
Directions: As you are introduced to each component of an Introductory Paragraph, label the
diagram below.
These pieces are combined to build your
introduction.
These sentences are included to introduce your
topic and supporting claims.
(Your Body Paragraph claims/ main ideas)
After completing the diagram with details to include in an introductory paragraph, good writers
check to ensure that their ___________________, _________________, and _____________ are
all related.
Are the G/ T/ and Th all connected to one another? Are they related?
Constructing an Introduction Paragraph
Directions: As you are introduced to each component of an Introductory Paragraph, label the
diagram below.
Lead/Grabber
Purpose: To capture
audience’s attention
Main Idea of Body
Paragraph 1
Topic/Subject
Purpose: To introduce
subject and supporting
details
Thesis
Purpose: To state
argument
Main Idea of Body
Paragraph 2
Main Idea of Body
Paragraph 3
After completing the diagram with details to include in an introductory paragraph, good writers
check to ensure that their ___________________, _________________, and _____________ are
all related.
Are the G/ T/ and Th all connected to one another? Are they related?
Constructing an Introduction Paragraph for My Example Intro
Directions: As you are introduced to each component of an Introductory Paragraph, label the
diagram below.
Grabber: –Many writing
experts consider the
introduction paragraph to
be a difficult component.
MI1: Include vital
information to show
writer’s message
Topic: – Introductory
paragraphs
MI2: Outline of writer’s
argument
Thesis: Writers should craft
strong, detailed introduction
paragraphs because this
paragraph is the seed from which
their writing will grow.
MI3: Entices the
audience to continue
reading
After completing the diagram with details to include in an
introductory paragraph, good writers check to ensure that the
grabber, topic, and thesis are all related.
Are the G/ T/ and Th all connected to one
another? Are they related?
Note: The information presented next to the
yellow boxes is information that I already have
in my draft. I only need to identify these
sentences and thesis statement, not create new
ideas! My lead/grabber statement is the only
new component to create to complete my
formula.
Constructing My Introduction
• Once I have completed my planning, I can piece my
sentences into my introduction paragraph formula.
•
•
•
•
•
1.) Lead/Hook sentence.
2.) Sentence to Introduce Claim 1.
3.) Sentence to Introduce Claim 2.
4.) Sentence to Introduce Claim 3.
5.) Thesis statement
– Your should/should not statement
Grabber: –Many writing experts
consider the introduction to be the
most difficult component of an essay.
Topic: – Introductory paragraphs
Thesis: Writers should craft strong, detailed
introduction paragraphs because this paragraph is
the seed from which their writing will grow.
MI1: Introductory paragraphs include
vital information to show writer’s
message
MI2: Introductory paragraphs outline
of writer’s argument
MI3: Introductory paragraphs entice
the audience to continue reading.
According to many writing experts, the introductory paragraph is considered to be the most
difficult component of an essay to compose. Introductory paragraphs include vital information to
guide the reader. Additionally, the introduction works as an outline of the writer’s argument.
Another important role of the introductory paragraph is to include an engaging hook to entice the
audience to continue reading the composition.* Therefore, writers should craft strong, detailed
introduction paragraphs because this paragraph is the seed from which their writing will grow.
**Rather than introduce my Claim 2 and Claim 3 independently, I will combine the details together in a compound sentence
when I revise using the conjunction “and.” This new sentence still expresses my claims in order, but without sounding
repetitive in my phrasing. See my final introduction on the next slide.**
According to many writing experts, the introductory paragraph
is considered to be the most difficult component of an essay to
compose. Introductory paragraphs include vital information to guide
the reader. Additionally, the introduction works as an outline of the
writer’s argument, and includes an engaging hook to entice the
audience to continue reading the composition. Therefore, writers
should craft strong, detailed introduction paragraphs because this
paragraph is the seed from which their writing will grow.