The Funnel Introduction
The Funnel
The Lead
Broad
Specific
Thesis
The Lead (Hook, Grabber)
The purpose of the lead is to grab the reader’s
attention and draw him/her into your thinking
4 types (def/stat, quotation, rhetorical question,
anecdote)
Never directly address the reader (no “you” or implied
“you”)
The lead must be general-- it should not give away
the topic of the essay. It must NOT state your
position...keep your reader guessing until the thesis.
What’s wrong?
Informative Prompt: 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.
Last summer my family took trip to Japan. The plane ride took over 12
hours. My little brother complained the whole time. When we finally got
there, my dad had us get on the wrong train...
Now it’s your turn
Write two different types of grabbers for the following
informational prompt:
Write an essay about an unusual food you have
eaten. Explain what makes it so unusual.
Better Grabbers
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.
Thesis statement
Like a main idea sentence (1 sentence) for the entire essay
Belongs at end of introductory paragraph--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. Escargot is the most unusual thing to ever cross my plate
because it is not easily available, it’s not something most Americans eat, and
most people don’t consider snails human food.
Introductions
They can be a road map for your essay
Once you have your grabber, decide on thesis. Come
up with the three supporting ideas/reasons. Now,
work on funnel. Remember: NO elevator shafts.
Introductions needs to be at least 4 sentences -grabber, 2 funneling sentences, and thesis. Your
funneling sentences should not give away your
punchline...save that for the thesis.
Rule of thumb: Don’t even mention the topic until the
sentence before the thesis