The Introductory Paragraph

 It is one of the most important paragraphs of the academic essay because it

provides a lead into the essay.
 It serves two purposes:
1. To attract the reader’s attention, and
2. To introduce the central idea in the form of a thesis statement.
 An introductory paragraph consists of :
• A “lead” to attract the reader’s attention and arouse interest;
• (sometimes) a bridging sentence to allow the lead to flow smoothly into the
thesis statement;
• a thesis statement that clearly tells what the whole essay is going to be
about.
There are different ways to write an
What are some of the threats faced by the
introduction. Some common
domesticated cat.
ones are:
The life
1. The General toofSpecific
a housecat is not always
Method in the Approach)
( Funnel
safest of situations. In fact, domesticated cats
• In this method
that playyou begin
outside by with
are faced giving general
a number of
information about
problems thatthe topic
are often of the essay
overlooked. Some ofthat will
these problems
become more and more are attacks
narrow. by other animals
This will
especially stray dogs, tragic accidents and
eventuallydiseases.
lead to the central idea in the thesis
statement - usually the last sentence in the
introduction.
2. The Anecdotal method.
• In this method,
My Mother youis the
begin
Best by telling
Person in theaworld.
story
or describing an incident.
I remember my mother standing by my
hospital bed wiping my forehead with a damp
• People love a good
cloth. story,
I was only so this
10 years old atis a good
that time but I
way to engage the reader’s
still remember interest
the worried to face.
look on her
continue reading your essay.
To me my mother is the best person in the
world because she is so loving and caring.
3. An Amazing and Unusual Fact
• In this method you begin by stating an amazing or
unusual fact. Why do dogs make better pets than
cats?
Dogs sense of smell is at least 40 times
better than ours. They were trained to
sniff out Covid-19. Dogs make better
pets than cats because they provide us
with love and companionship.
4. a quote, proverb or saying
• in this method you begin with a quote , proverb or saying

Describe your best friend.

There is a Chinese proverb that says, “ truly
great friends are hard to find, difficult to
leave and impossible to forget”. This is so
true of my best friend who is kind to
everyone and trustworthy.
5. a question
• in this method , you begin with a question.
Describe your best friend.
What is a best friend? A best friend is someone you can
call anytime ,just to laugh, cry, complain or tell silly
stories. This is exactly why _________ is my best friend
because she/ he is someone I can trust and she/he
supports my decisions.
• Choose any 3 methods and write an introduction for one of the essays below.

• 1) Walking is a good form of exercise.

 good workout for the whole body- (all our muscles are used and worked out)
 a painless way to burn calories- (controls obesity, good for metabolism)
 a relaxing way to exercise- (take in the sights, small talk with people you meet)

• 2) Riding a bicycle is preferable to driving a car

-it’s cheaper to buy and operate
-it’s healthier –( more exercise ,less pollution)
- it’s more satisfying- (enjoy the scenery , become part of nature)

• 3) Smoking is a bad habit

affects our health- (causes throat cancer, lip cancer and lung cancer)
 waste money- (cigarettes are expensive)
 a risk and danger to non smokers