The document provides guidance on writing an effective introduction paragraph, including: 1) The introduction paragraph should contain a hook to engage the reader, a bridge statement to provide context, and a thesis statement that clearly presents the main argument. 2) Examples of hooks include startling facts, powerful words, sound effects, anecdotes, rhetorical questions, and commands to the reader. 3) The bridge statement ties the hook to the topic and thesis, and can be written as a simile. 4) The thesis statement presents the writer's opinion on the topic and the main reasons to support that opinion. It avoids vague language and personal pronouns.

1. The Introduction
Paragraph
Hooking the Reader and
Focusing on the Topic

2. Remember, focus refers to
how clearly an essay
presents and maintains the
main idea.
The main idea of an essay
is presented in the
introduction paragraph in
the form of a thesis

3. The Introduction
Paragraph
The introduction paragraph
introduces the reader to the topic of
the essay, the writer’s opinion, and
defines the scope of the essay.

4. Parts of the
Introduction
The introduction consists of 3 parts:
Paragraph
1. A Hook
2. A Bridge
3.Statement Statement
A Thesis

5. The Hook
Before the reader can be convinced of the
thesis, he must be convinced to read the
essay.
The hook contains 1 – 3 sentences used to
capture the reader’s interest in the essay.
It must relate to the topic of your essay in
some way.

6. Let’s look at some examples of hooks below:
Hook/
Strategy
Definition
Startling/Unusual
Statement or Fact
The writer provides a detail or fact that may
amuse, anger, or intrigue the reader to
continue reading.
Five thousand kids are kidnapped each year by
someone they met while on Myspace.
Three Powerful
Words
The writer opens with three nouns, three
verbs, or three words that end in “ing.”
Profanity. Nudity. Violence. Each of these is easily
accessible on Myspace.
Sound Effects
(Onomatopoeia)
The writer uses sound effects to create vivid
imagery to pull the reader into the text.
“Wham!” That is the sound of a front door
slamming as another child races of to meet a
stranger they met on Myspace.
Anecdote
The writer provides hypothetical or personal
examples to illustrate the topic.
Last summer my friend Kayla went to the mall to
meet who she thought was a cute 15 years-old guy
she had met on Myspace. To her dismay, the guy
turned out to be a 55 years-old registered sex
offender.
Imagine Statement
The writer provides a statement that causes
the reader to picture (imagine) something.
Imagine your child posting your address and work
schedule on Myspace.
The writer provides the reader with a
command.
Don’t even think about letting your child browse
Myspace and other social websites without your
constant supervision.
The writer asks thought-provoking, maybe
Did you know that 27% of Myspace users are
Command to the
Reader
Rhetorical Question
Example

7. The Bridge
It would be a mistake to presume that a
Statement
reader is already familiar with the topic.
After capturing the reader’s attention,
present the necessary background the
reader needs to understand the topic.
The bridge statement ties the hook to the
prompt and thesis statement, while
providing the reader with background
information. To add voice to your writing an
possibly increase your score, try writing

8. Writing the Bridge as
a Simile
A simile is a sentence that compares two unlike things by
using the word like or as.
•Example of a simile that uses the word like: Paul eats
like a pig. (In this sentence Paul’s eating habits are being
compared to the eating habits of a pig to show that Paul is
a sloppy eater. The comparison is made using the word
like.)
•Example of a simile that uses the word as: Paul’s
explanation for being late was as clear as mud. (In this
sentence Paul’s excuse for being late is compared to mud
to show that Paul’s explanation was not clear or confusing
because mud is not clear. The comparison is made using

9. Let’s look at some examples of bridge statements that were
written as similes for the persuasive prompt below.
Your parents are concerned over recent news reports
about Myspace.com and similar websites.
Think about the safety issues of using Myspace and
other websites.
Now write to convince your parents whether or not you
should have unsupervised access to these websites.
Example: Letting your child browse Myspace and other social
websites unsupervised is like placing a loaded gun in your child’s
hand.
Example: Letting your child browse Myspace and other social
websites unsupervised is as dangerous as standing next to an
armed explosive.

10. Let’s Try It Out!
As a class, let’s create some similes for the following
prompt. to class are disrupting instruction, leaving
Tardies
unfinished class work to be completed at home.
Although rules and consequences were set at the
beginning of the year, students are still arriving late.
Think of some ways to reduce tardies in your class.
Write an essay for your teacher in which you explain a
solution to the problem of tardies to class.
Simile:
__________________________________________
Simile:
__________________________________________

11. The Thesis
Statement the last
The thesis statement is
sentence in your introduction
paragraph that states your
opinion/feelings about the topic
and your reasons of support.
It is a one sentence summary of
your essay.

12. Formula for Creating a
Thesis Statement
Writing a thesis statement is as easy as a, b, c.
Topic
Opinion
A
B
reasons to
support your
opinion
+ C
Thesis Statement

13. Example
Prompt
The President is thinking about requiring public
school students to wear uniforms.
Topi
Think about whether wearing uniforms is a
c
good idea or a bad idea for your school and
why.
Now convince the President to accept your
point of view about wearing uniforms.

14. Exampleglobe for its
America is well known across the
diversity. People from all over the world migrate to the
United States just to be a part of this international
society. It is common knowledge that equality and
individualism are a part of America’s famous history.
This fact is something that most Americans take pride
in; however, the individuality of a future America may
be at risk due to the education system. A rule that
would require students to wear uniforms to school is
threatening student individuality. School uniforms
should not be required because they discourage
individuality, and they don’t teach students to make
The thesis statement comes at the end of the introduction
responsible decisions.
paragraph. The sentence tells the reader that he/she can
expect to read about how school uniforms should be banned
because they discourage individuality and they don’t teach
students how to make responsible decisions .

15. What Not To Do In
Thesis obvious!
DO NOT state the
In thesis statements, you should avoid
using
statements like:
• “This essay will discuss”
• “I’m going to write about”
• “In this essay I am going to talk about”
Instead, write a thesis statement that
captures
your reader’s attention without

16. Wording Not to be
Used in a Thesis
Statement for a
Persuasive Essay
When writing a thesis statement for a
persuasive essay DO NOT use
statements with personal pronouns,
such as:
• “I think”
• “I believe”
•

17. Planning Yourstatement is to
Thesis
It is important to plan out your thesis
ensure it stays focused on the topic of the writing
prompt.
Prompt
Most people have a TV show they particularly like.
Think about a TV show you like.
Now explain what TV show you like and why you like
it.
Opinion: I like The Cosby Show
Reason: it teaches
moral values
Reason: shows Black
family in a positive light
Thesis Statement: I enjoy watching The Cosby Show because it
teaches moral values and shows the Black family in a positive
light.

18. Let’s Try It Out! the
As a class, let’s create a thesis statement for
following prompt.
Prompt
Teens have a lot of problems that they have to sort through by
themselves or with the help of friends, family, and the
community.
Think about the biggest problem you think teens face today.
Now explain why you think the problem you chose is the biggest
problem teensOpinion:
face today.
Reason:
Thesis Statement:
Reason:

19. Example in response
Here is an introduction paragraph written
to a prompt that asked the writer to convince the
principal whether or not students should be allowed to
Bridge
chew gum in school.
Statement
Smack. Gnaw. Pop. Chewing gum
while in school is as silly as walking a
tight rope. The horrific act of chewing
gum should be barred from all school
campuses because it distracts student
learning and destroys student clothing.
Hook
Thesis
Statement

20. Let’s Try It Out! for
As a class, let’s create an introduction paragraph
the following prompt. First we will plan out the thesis.
Prompt
Teens have a lot of problems that they have to sort through by
themselves or with the help of friends, family, and the
community.
Think about the biggest problem you think teens face today.
Now explain why you think the problem you chose is the biggest
problem teensOpinion:
face today.
Reason:
Thesis Statement:
Reason:

21. Let’s Try It Out!
(continued)
Now let’s write the entire introduction paragraph.
Hook:
Bridge
Statemen
t:
Thesis
Statemen
t:
Introduction Paragraph

22. Remember to use the tips
from this presentation to
help you write a well
crafted introduction
paragraph.