Introduction Paragraph Pre-Writing brainstorming Questions

Name: ________________________________________ Topic: ________________________________________

Class: ________________________________________ Date: ________________________________________

Claim / Thesis Statement

Always begin an essay by declaring your position. What is your claim for this argumentative essay? Make sure it is logically debatable from more
than one side and credible research is available for both sides of the argument.

My thesis:

What might those who disagree with you argue logically in response to your claim?

Attention Getter / Hook

Below, write three possible attention getters for your introduction paragraph. Then, ask several classmates to choose their favorite and tell you why
they believe it is the strongest.

1.

2.

3.

Bridge / Background Information

What does your audience need to know to understand the debate?

Is everyone familiar with the debate, or how might you explain it briefly?

When did this debate begin or originate? Do readers need to be familiar with a short timeline?

Are there any important historical events, court cases, or people who have a pivotal role in the development of this controversy?

Is there any way you can appeal to readers’ emotions before you present your thesis statement?

Has this topic been in the news recently? Why? Where in the world is this issue the most pressing?

In what way is this topic relevant to the audience?

Is this issue related to or the cause of any other problems or debates?

Are there any terms that need to be defined for the audience?
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 Introduction Paragraph Planning Page
Name: ________________________________________ Topic: ________________________________________

A
Class: ________________________________________ Date: ________________________________________

Attention Getter / Hook

Choose the one that is most effective.

Sentence or Transition Connecting Hook and Bridge

You may need to add a transitional word, phrase, clause, or sentence to connect your hook and your bridge. Plan that now.

Bridge / Background Information

Select the information that is most important for your audience to understand the debate. Please do NOT include information
in the bridge that you will also be including in the body of the essay.
B
Sentence or Transition Connecting Bridge and Thesis
You may need to add a transitional word, phrase, clause, or sentence to connect your bridge and your thesis. Plan that now.

Claim / Thesis Statement

Write your claim. This is the last sentence of your introduction. Remember, it should be a statement, not a question.
Also, it should not contain any first or second person pronouns.
C
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 Introduction Paragraph Planning Page Example
Name: ________________________________________ Topic: ________________________________________

A
Class: ________________________________________ Date: ________________________________________

Attention Getter / Hook

Choose the one that is most effective.

Frustrated and confused – that’s how Alex felt as he slumped in his desk. Alex knew Mr. Rogers
would not have time to sit with him to further explain the math problem for at least another ten
minutes. He was too busy assisting other students. After all, there were thirty-three people in his
hour.

Sentence or Transition Connecting Hook and Bridge

You may need to add a transitional word, phrase, clause, or sentence to connect your hook and your bridge. Plan that now.

Many issues impact a student’s education, but class size is arguably one of the most important.

Bridge / Background Information

Select the information that is most important for your audience to understand the debate. Please do NOT include information
in the bridge that you will also be including in the body of the essay.

Currently, teachers are being encouraged to differentiate instruction and to include more student-centered
work time with conferences for relationship building and scaffolding (Brown). In order for this type of
learning to be effective, however, teachers need to be able to meet with every student every day. When class
sizes become too large, the reality of having meaningful conversations with each student diminishes
B
(“Education Issues”).

Sentence or Transition Connecting Bridge and Thesis

You may need to add a transitional word, phrase, clause, or sentence to connect your bridge and your thesis. Plan that now.

Therefore,

Claim / Thesis Statement

Write your claim. This is the last sentence of your introduction. Remember, it should be a statement, not a question.
Also, it should not contain any first or second person pronouns.

School administrators need to prioritize reducing class sizes.

C
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