The document provides guidance on writing an effective introductory paragraph, which should briefly introduce the topic, clearly state your position or thesis, and provide two or three reasons to support it. It offers strategies for introductions, such as using a rhetorical question, quotation, surprising fact, or background information. Examples are given for each strategy along with general tips, such as keeping introductions concise and not including apologies or vague statements.

1. How to write an
Introductory paragraph
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2. Remember that the introductory
paragraph :
 Is the most important paragraph of the essay
 Needs to do three things:
 Briefly introduce the topic
 Clearly state your position (thesis)
 Provide two or three reasons (thesis)
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3. Introduction DON’Ts
 Don’t use a vague generality or truth like:
“Throughout human history…” or “In today’s world…” or
“nowadays…”
 Don’t make an announcement:
“In this essay I will…” or “The purpose of this paper is…”
 Don’t start with an apology:
“I’m not sure if I’m right, but I think…” or “I don’t know
much about this, but…”
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4. Strategies for Introductions
 Use a rhetorical question.
 Relate an incident.
 Use a vivid quotation.
 Offer a surprising fact or statistic.
 Provide background.
 Make a historical comparison or contrast.
 Outline a problem.
 Define a word central to your subject
 Explain your general truth
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5. Examples of question introduction
 Would requiring students to wear school uniforms
improve public school education?
 Should citizens be allowed to burn the United States
flag in public?
 Keep in mind that rhetorical questions do not have “yes” or
“no” answers. They are questions to which there is no one
answer. (For example: “Have you ever had a dream?” is NOT
a rhetorical question.)
 Also, do NOT answer your question. (Do you know what it’s
like do be bullied? I do.” = bad!)
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6. Quotation 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. (Johnson, 43)
 “Many of the problems of the heart are not very
well understood,” Says David Atienza, head of the
Embedded Systems Lab. (Smartphones for Heart
Health)
 The old adage “you are what you eat” comes to
mind when discussing the fast food’s role in
childhood obesity.
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7. Surprising facts/ statistics
 According to the National Center for Education
Statistics, “only 69 percent of high school graduates
enroll in college immediately after graduation”, while a
recent Gallup Poll shows that 92 percent of parents
believed their children would attend college right out of
high school. (Cohen)
 According to a research study conducted in 2009, nearly
90 percent of all dollar bills have been contaminated by
cocaine. (Safdar)
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8. Providing background
 The first mobile telephone call was placed in St. Louis,
Missouri on June 17, 1946 from a telephone set installed
in an automobile (Histories, 81)
 Since the long before the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, Americans have courageously fought for
freedom and equality.
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9. Outlining a problem
 The National center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
states that almost 80 percent of high school students
have tried alcohol, even though the legal drinking age is
21. (Peecher, 13)
 Apple has just released the new iOs 6 operating system,
which should mean the end to all app problems, however
the new maps app causes people to get lost on a daily
basis.
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10. Defining words
 According to the Collins English Dictionary, fair is
described as being “free from discrimination and
dishonesty”, or being impartial. (“Fair”)
 Beauty is the quality present in a thing or person that
gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind.
(“Beauty”)
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11. General truth introduction
 It is impossible to turn on the television and not find
a number of violent programs.
 Many public schools have decided that their students
should use uniforms.
 In the United States of America distracted driving has
become a common practice.
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12. General statement introduction
Today, a potential ban on
smoking in public places is a
hot-button issue. Some believe
that smoking should be banned
everywhere while others are
not so harsh. It is important,
however, that tobacco be
outlawed because smoking
pollutes the environment,
endangers everyone’s health,
and wastes taxpayers money
due to health problems.
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13. Interrogatory introduction
What if smoking were banned
outside of the home? The country is
divided on whether or not smoking
should be banned in public places.
Smoking should be outlawed because
it pollutes the environment,
endangers everyone’s health, and
wastes taxpayers money due to health
problems.
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14. Quotation introduction
A recent study reported in Men’s
Health found that smoking is the greatest
threat to human health. In spite of all
the evidence, people still argue over
whether smoking should be allowed in
public places. Tobacco should be
outlawed because it pollutes the
environment, endangers everyone’s
health, and wastes taxpayers money due
to health problems.
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15. Final reminders
 Be concise and to the point
 Do not go into too much detail
 You must do three things:
introduce topic
state position
provide reasons
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