The document outlines the key elements of crafting an effective introduction paragraph for an essay, emphasizing the importance of engaging hooks, background information, and a clear thesis statement. It suggests various types of hooks such as literary quotes, well-known quotes, rhetorical questions, anecdotes, and statistics, each serving to draw in the reader. Additionally, it provides guidance on how to tailor background information based on the essay type, whether informative, persuasive, or literary analysis.

1. Elements of an
Essay
Introduction Paragraphs

2. The introduction paragraph
Is the heart of the essay.

3. It is the 1st
impression
readers get of your
essay

4. What Should my Intro Paragraph Include?
Hook
Back-
ground
Info
Thesis

5. WRITING HOOKS
A hook should grab your reader’s attention
and encourage them to want to keep reading.

6. A Literary Quote
Try starting your introduction
paragraph with a literary quote.

7. An example of a literary quote
If you are writing an
essay about
persevering, consider
writing a literary quote
hook like the one on the
following slide.

8. “Tomorrow is another day.”
This quote by author Margaret Mitchell in her
1939 novel Gone with the Wind, emphasizes
that no matter what trials we are facing today,
the new light of tomorrow can provide us with
hope for the future
hookLiterary quote

9. “A literary quote can be a powerful
statement drawing readers in with
descriptive language.

10. A Well-Known Quote
Try starting your introduction
paragraph with a quote known by a
well-known figure.

11. An example of a well-known quote
Maybe you are writing
an essay about
leadership, consider
writing a well-known
quote hook like the one
on the following slide.

12. “Our deepest fear
Is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest
fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, which most
frightens us.” Here, Nelson Mandela,
revolutionary politician and philanthropist,
explains our fears are much more about
achieving success than about failing.
hookWell-known quote

13. “A quote by a well-known person can
inspire your reader to think deeply and
desire to keep reading to understand the
connection between your quote and your
essay.

14. A Rhetorical Question
Try starting your introduction
paragraph with a rhetorical question.

15. An example of a rhetorical question
If you are writing an
essay about bullying,
consider writing a
rhetorical question
hook like the one on the
following slide.

16. How would you feel
if your child came home, crying and
distraught, telling you about another student
at school who had called him horrible names?
hookLiterary quote

17. “A rhetorical question encourages the
reader to become invested in your essay.

18. An Anecdote
Try starting your introduction
paragraph with an anecdote.

19. An example of an anecdote
Perhaps your essay is
about courage,
consider writing an
anecdotal quote hook
like the one on the
following slide.

20. A veteran of the Vietnam War
admitted that every time he prepared for
battle, he experienced great fear. Even so, he
is a man of incredible courage. Courage is not
defined by the lack of fear, but by the ability
to take action in the face of fear.
hookAnecdote

21. “Using an anecdote will present the reader
with a real person, allowing them to be
more invested in the essay.

22. A Statistic
Try starting your introduction
paragraph with a statistic.

23. An example of a rhetorical question
If you are writing an
essay about modern
family life, consider
writing a rhetorical
question hook like the
one on the following
slide.

24. Fifty percent of marriages
end in divorce. This percentage reflects the
ever-changing family dynamic.
hookStatistic

25. “A statistic creates authority, lending your
reader to trust you and your opinion
presented in your essay.

26. BACKGROUND INFO
The background information in the introduction
is a bridge that will connect your hook to the
thesis statement.

27. Determine which type of essay you are writing:
Informative
Essay
Persuasive
Essay
Literary
Analysis Essay
Then write your background information based on your essay type.

28. Informative Essay
For this background info, write
sentences with details that will help
your reader understand the topic.

29. If writing
on the Black Plague
it would help the reader to know
details about the time period,
how many people died, what
areas were affected, etc.
Informative Background Info

30. Persuasive Essay
For this background info, give the
reader information about both sides
of the argument.

31. If writing
on Peeta vs. Gale
you would present both camps,
telling the reader why some people
believe Gale is better for Katniss
and why others prefer Peeta.
Persuasive Background Info

32. Literary Analysis
For this background info, give the
reader technical or contextual
information about the novel or topic.

33. If writing
on Daisy’s character
from The Great Gatsby you could
define characterization and
discuss Daisy and Gatsby’s
personal relationship.
Persuasive Background Info

34. Now you have
all you need
to write a powerful
introduction
paragraph.

35. For additional support
Call Oxford Tutoring
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36. Credits
Special thanks to all the people who made and
released these awesome resources for free:
▧ Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
▧ Photographs by Unsplash
▧ Backgrounds by Pixeden