Introdotury paragraoph

1. How to write an
Introductory paragraph
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“A drop of ink may make a million think.”
- Anonymous

2. When you write an introductory paragraph,
keep in mind that:
• Writing an introductory paragraph is like greeting someone.
The paragraph should be short and to the point like saying,
“Hello!”
• Also, you don’t want to get into the meat of the essay.
Simply give the audience a concise idea of your essay’s
purpose.
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3. Remember that the Introductory Paragraph:
• Is the most important paragraph of the essay
• Must be at least 50 words long or three sentences minimum
• Needs to do three things
• Briefly introduce the topic
• Cleary state your position
• Provide three reasons
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4. Even though there are several ways to begin
an essay, I recommend that you choose one
particular method and perfect it.
Why?
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5. Because if you keep using the same method,
you will...
• Become an expert in this particular method.
• Moreover, if you already know how you will begin your essay, you
will be more prepared, relaxed, and confident.
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6. Let us consider different types of introductory
paragraphs...
• General statement introduction
• Question introduction
• Anecdote
• Statistic
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7. Examples of general statement introduction
•Every day the newspapers, television, and radio
news programs are flooded with stories about
the tragic results of drug addiction.
•One of the Surgeon General’s latest public-
health crusades is a fight against the growing
tide of fat and flab among American children.
•Mountain bikes have taken over the bicycle
industry.
(These are three different example of how you can begin your
paragraph. If you will notice in the first sentence you simply
introduce the topic. You do not state your position yet.)
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8. Examples of question introduction
•Are standardized tests a fair measure of academic
potential?
•Should handgun ownership be outlawed in the
United States?
•Can mountain bikers peacefully coexist with hikers
on wilderness trails?
(You can also begin your essay by asking a question. A question
usually takes you to the heart of the problem quickly.)
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9. Statistic Introduction
• A recent article in Time magazine states that the
viewing of extremely violent television shows is the
number one cause of violence in our inner cities.
• The Inquirer recently conducted a study and concluded
that students in public schools where uniforms are
mandatory have fewer problems and perform better
academically.
• A recent Gallup poll reported that 75%of Americans
consider themselves to be environmentalists.
(Finally, you can begin an essay by providing some information from a magazine
or newspaper you might have read. This introduction is a bit more difficult to
write, but just as effective as the other ones.)
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10. Anecdote
•Yesterday, seven year old Billy Barnes came home at
3:30 and let himself into his house with his key.
After fixing himself a snack of five Oreo cookies and
a glass of soda, Billy watched television (MTV) for
two hours. When Billy telephoned his mother at
work, she was in a meeting and couldn’t talk to him.
Billy represents a growing number of latchkey
children who feel neglected, don’t do their
homework, and get in trouble when they get older.
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11. In the next three slides you will view
completed introductory paragraphs.
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12. General statement introduction
Today smoking is an
issue which is on
everybody’s mind. The
whole country is divided on
this issue. Some people
believe that smoking should
be banned everywhere
while others are not so
harsh. Tobacco should be
outlawed because smoking
endangers everyone’s
health, pollutes the
environment, and drains
people of valuable energy.
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13. Interrogatory introduction
Should smoking be banned in all public
places? This question is the subject of many
discussions and arguments in towns across our
country. Smoking should be outlawed because it
endangers everyone’s health, it pollutes the
environment, and it drains people of valuable
energy.
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14. Statistic introduction
An article in the New York
Times recently stated that
smoking is the greatest threat
to our health. The whole
country is divided on this issue.
Tobacco should be outlawed
because it endangers
everyone’s health, it pollutes
the environment, and it drains
valuable resources.
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15. Final reminders !!!!
• Be concise and to the point!
• Do not go into too much detail!
• At least 50 words minimum!
• You must do three things . . .
introduce topic
state position
provide reasons
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16. • Should college athletes should be paid more than just tuition?
Many people believe that college athletes should get paid while
others believe they should not. College athletes should be paid
because they practice long hours, the schools are profiting through
the athletes efforts, and this would make college life much less
stressful for the athletes.
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