The document provides guidance on writing an effective introductory paragraph. It should include a hook to interest the reader, an introduction to the subject being discussed, a bridge sentence connecting the subject to the topic, and a clear thesis statement. For example, one introductory paragraph discusses how writer Amy Tan draws from her familial relationships, language skills, and cultural background in her novel The Valley of Amazement, as evidenced through her work celebrating Chinese history and culture.

1. How to Write An Effective
Introductory Paragraph

2. What goes into an introduction?
Hook/General Statement!
Addresses the big focus of the assignment,
but also mentions something about what you
are specifically discussing!
!
Introduce your subject!
Who are you writing about?!
Biographical information and facts

3. What goes into an introduction?
Bridge Sentence!
Address the assignment in more detail!
How did you find connections between the
writer’s identity and their writing?!
!
Thesis Statement!
Should be able to stand alone!
If a person were to read just your thesis
statement, they should know exactly what your
paper will be about.

4. 1) Hook/General Statement
Works to pique the reader’s interest!
Addresses both the overall assignment
question while introducing the specific focus
of the paper!
Do not mention your subject just yet!

5. Examples of Hooks/General
Statements
Bad Hook/!
General Statements
There are many
connections a person can
make between a writer and
their work.!
For years, writers have
been putting their identity
into their written work.
Good Hook/!
General Statements
A person can be shaped by a
their experiences and their
history, and these aspects are
often evident in a person’s
personal work.!
Writers are often most
inspired by the people and
events that they encounter in
their life, creating a thread
that connects their identity
with their writing.

6. 2) Introduce Your Subject
Include biographical information here, but
not too much!
What are some things about your writer that
may be pertinent to the reader?!
Create a picture of your subject for the reader!
Does NOT have to be long - can be done in
1-2 sentences

7. Examples of Introducing the
Subject
Bad Subject Intro
Amy Tan is a best-selling
novelist who was born in
Oakland, California on February
19, 1952. Born to John and Daisy
Tan, Amy lived in several
California communities as a
child. Growing up, she read
plenty of books, which she calls
“her salvation.” She is married to
Lou DeMattei, who is not
Chinese; they don’t have any
children together. …
Good Subject Intro
Amy Tan, a first-generation
Chinese American born to
Chinese immigrant parents,
is a novelist who has
written countless stories
celebrating the history of
China and its people.

8. 3) Bridge Sentence(s)
How does your subject relate to the general
topic of the paper?!
Mention some ways that their writing is
connected to their identity

9. Examples of Bridge Sentences
Bad Bridge Sentences Good Bridge Sentences
Tan has written a lot of
books. In her books, she
talks a lot about girls
without moms. Also, she
writes about people who
are confused about her
culture. Lastly, she loves
English, so she writes about
that, too.
Her novels have inspired various
movies and works of theater, but
her own work has been influenced
by aspects much closer to home.
Tan’s novels, such as The Joy Luck
Club, Saving Fish from Drowning,
and her newest novel, The Valley of
Amazement, all echo various facets
of her identity - a daughter
looking for a definitive bond with
her mother; a young woman
confused by her cultural identity
due to her ability to speak
multiple languages; and a lover of
the English language.

10. 4) Thesis Statement
What is your paper about?!
Do NOT beat around the bush!!
Thesis should be able to stand alone!
If a person were to read ONLY your thesis
statement, they should be able to tell what
your paper is about.

11. Examples of Thesis Statements
Bad Thesis Statement Good Thesis Statement
Amy Tan shows her
identity by writing
about her family,
English, and being
Chinese.
Amy Tan’s novel The
Valley of Amazement is a
product of Tan’s
familial relationships,
her love for the English
language, and her
culturally diverse
heritage.

12. BAD INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
There are many connections a person can make between a writer and
their work. Amy Tan is a best-selling novelist who was born in
Oakland, California on February 19, 1952. Born to John and Daisy Tan,
Amy lived in several California communities as a child. Growing up,
she read plenty of books, which she calls “her salvation.” She is
married to Lou DeMattei, who is not Chinese; they don’t have any
children together. Tan has written a lot of books. In her books, she talks
a lot about girls without moms. Also, she writes about people who are
confused about her culture. Lastly, she loves English, so she writes
about that, too. Amy Tan shows her identity by writing about her
family, English, and being Chinese.

13. GOOD INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
Writers are often most inspired by the people and events that they encounter in their life,
creating a thread that connects their identity with their writing. Amy Tan, a first-generation
Chinese American born to Chinese immigrant parents, is a novelist who has written
countless stories celebrating the history of China and its people. Her novels have inspired
various movies and works of theater, but her own work has been influenced by aspects
much closer to home. Tan’s novels, such as The Joy Luck Club, Saving Fish from Drowning,
and her newest novel, The Valley of Amazement, all echo various facets of her identity - a
daughter looking for a definitive bond with her mother; a young woman confused by her
cultural identity due to her ability to speak multiple languages; and a lover of the English
language. Amy Tan’s novel The Valley of Amazement is a product of Tan’s familial
relationships, her love for the English language, and her culturally diverse heritage.