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1
 When you write an introductory
paragraph,
keep in mind that . . .
• Writing an introductory paragraph is like
greeting someone. The paragraph should be
short and to the point like saying, “Hello!”

• Also, you shouldn’t get into the meat of the

essay. Simply give the audience a concise
idea of your essay’s purpose.
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Remember that the introductory
paragraph . . .
• Is the most important paragraph of the
essay
• Must be at least 50 words long or three
sentences minimum
• Need to do three things:
– Briefly introduce the topic
– Elaborate
– Provide three reasons 3
 The Parts of the Introductory
Paragraph
• The Hook - Designed to grab attention
immediately and give some indication about
the essay’s topic
• The Transition - Moves the reader from the
hook to the driving force of the essay….
• The Thesis - Makes the contract with the
reader about what will be discussed without a
blatant announcement.
Created by José J. González, 4
Jr.
Spring 2002
Let us consider different types of
introductory paragraphs
• General statement introduction

• Question introduction

• Quotation introduction

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 Examples of general statement
introduction
• Almost every time that you turn on the television,
you will find a number of shows which are
extremely violent.

• Many public schools have decided that their

students should use uniforms.

(These are three different example of how you can begin your
paragraph. You just simply introduce the topic in the first sentence.
You do elaborate it yet.)

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 Examples of question
introduction
• Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence
on prime time television?

• Do you think that to improve our public school

education, the students should be required to wear
uniforms?
(You can also begin your essay by asking a question.
A question usually takes you to the heart of the problem quickly.)

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 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.

• The Monitor recently conducted a study and

concluded that students in public schools where
uniforms are mandatory have less problems and
perform better academically.
(Finally, you can begin an essay by providing some information from a
magazine or newspaper you might have read. This introduction is a bit more
difficult to write, but just as effective as the other ones.)

Created by José J. González, 8

Jr.
Spring 2002
 General statement introduction
Today smoking is an
issue which is on everybody’s
mind. The whole country is
divided on this issue. Some
people believe that smoking
should be banned everywhere
while others are not so harsh.
However, I believe that
tobacco should be outlawed
because smoking endangers
everyone’s health, pollutes
the environment, and drains
us of valuable energy.
Created by José J. González,
Jr.
9
Spring 2002
 Question introduction
What do you think about
banning smoking? The whole
country is divided on whether
smoking should be banned. I
firmly believe that smoking
should be outlawed because it
endangers everyone’s health; it
pollutes the environment, and
it drains us of valuable energy.

Created by José J. González, 10

Jr.
Spring 2002
 Quotation introduction
In The Monitor it was recently
stated that smoking is the greatest
threat to our health. The whole
country is divided on this issue. I
believe that tobacco should be
outlawed because it endangers
everyone’s health; it pollutes the
environment, and it drains of
valuable resources.
Created by José J. González, 11
Jr.
Spring 2002
 Final reminders !!!!
• Be concise and to the point!
• Do not go into too much detail!
• At least 50 words minimum!
• You must do three things . . .
introduce topic
elaborate
provide reasons
Created by José J. González, 12
Jr.
Spring 2002
 Warming up exercise
• Write an introductory paragraph using any
of the three types of introductory
paragraphs for the title below:

Reading has become a very crucial activity

in our daily life. Explain your ideas on the
benefits of reading.

Created by José J. González, 13

Jr.
Spring 2002