This document discusses the key components of an effective introduction paragraph, including the hook, topic discussion, and thesis statement. It emphasizes that the hook should grab the reader's attention through techniques like questions, anecdotes, quotations or facts. The topic discussion should explain the hook and preview main ideas. Finally, the thesis should identify the topic, central idea and guide the essay in a limited, provable statement placed typically as the last sentence of the introduction. The document uses examples to illustrate best practices for crafting introductions.

1. Coleman 2016
The Introduction Paragraph

3. What If I said…
Albert Einstein once said, “I
never teach my pupils; I only
attempt to provide the conditions
in which they can learn.“ Irvine
Valley College has a fantastic
environment in which students can
accomplish their academic goals.

5. Introductions

6. Introduction Purpose
o Gains the reader’s interest
o Informs the reader
o Provides Tone
o Previews the major points
o Presents the thesis

7. Introduction Parts
oLead In
(Hook)
oDiscuss Topic
oThesis

8. The Lead In (Hook)
General Statement
Funnel Introduction
General
Specific

9. There are many places to
study at Irvine Valley College.
My favorite, however, is the
new library.

10. The Lead In (Hook)
Question
Sometimes Rhetorical

11. Do you have a special place on
campus that you like to go to
study without interruption? My
favorite place is the new
library.

12. The Lead In (Hook)
Anecdote
Short Story

13. In 1731,
Benjamin
Franklin started
something
extraordinary
that we still
benefit from
today. He
founded the
very first
lending library.
Here at Irvine
Valley, our library
is one of the most
beautiful places on
campus.

14. The Lead In (Hook)
Quotation
He said…

15. Malcolm Forbes once said, “The richest
person in the world … couldn't provide
you with anything like the endless,
incredible loot available at your local
library.” Here at Irvine Valley, our
library provides endless education and is
one of the most beautiful places on
campus.

16. The Lead In (Hook)
Fact
Statistic

17. The IVC Library is open 6 days a
week. It is open to students from 8 –
9 M-R, 8-3 on Friday, and 10-3 on
Saturday. Not only does the library
provides many hours to study, but it is
also one of the most beautiful places
on campus.

18. After the Lead In ...
Discuss Topic

19. Discuss Topic…
o Explain Hook
o Preview Main Ideas
o Get Ready for the Main Event!!!
o Thesis

20. After Topic Discussion ...
The THESIS

21. What is Thesis Statement?
One Sentence that…
o Identifies Essay Topic
o Identifies Essay Central Idea
o Guides Draft
o Serves as Essay Map

22. Thesis Should …
Demand Explanation Not Be Fact
Fact: IVC has a nice library.
Thesis: There are several reasons
the library is the best place on
campus.

23. Thesis Should …
Be Limited and Provable
Too Broad / Not provable:
Everyone on campus loves the
library.
Limited/Provable Thesis: Many
students enjoy going to the
library for several reasons.

24. Thesis Should …
Be Readily Identifiable – Usually
last sentence of Introduction
For OUR class, this is where
thesis goes!!!!!

25. Thesis Should …
Not Have GRAMMAR Errors.
Most important sentence in essay
shouldn’t have errors!!!

26. Let’s Review!!!
o Introduction has
• Hook
• Tie-In
• Thesis
o Good Thesis has
• Demands
Explanations
• Limited and
Provable
• Appropriate
Location
• Correct
Grammar

27. Let’s Practice!!