What grabs your attention in this commercial?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE

Introductory Paragraph

• An effective introductory paragraph, like an advertisement, is brief, attention grabbing, and sells your main point.• Every good introduction has 3 things:

• A Hook• Connecting information• Thesis Statement

Part 1: Creating a Hook

• There is no tried and true method for a great hook, but there are steps you can take to write the best possible hook for your paper:

• Step 1: Identify your audience• Step 2: Identify the purpose of your paper (Thesis Statement)• Step 3: Use an appropriate "hook technique" based on Steps 1 and 2

Hook Techniques

• Quote: Will capture the reader's attention by connecting your ideas their prior knowledge/information. Also, further validates your ideas!• Fact: Will make the reader curious to know more. Make

sure it's from a valid source!• Strong stance: State a strong opinion from the very

beginning will let your reader know where you stand. Great for an argument paper!• Question: Can get your reader thinking IF you ask the

right ones!

Famous/Interesting Quote:

• In her acceptance speech at this year's BET awards, artist, Nicki Minaj, stated about her music, " What I want the world to know about Nicki Minaj is, when you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it." This statement is one of many that shows how bold she is as an artist. Her boldness, strong personality, and great music are all reasons why Niki Minaj is a great female role model.

Fact:

• According to the department of children and family services, Louisiana has the highest child homelessness rate in the nation. These children are at the highest risk for dropping out of school. If we do not make better efforts to help homeless students, it will negatively effect their personal lives, our schools, and our state.

Strong Stance/Statement

• Love is one of the greatest mysteries we face in life. From the day we are born, we are affected by love in some way or another. Whether we are loved or not can even determine the type of person we become. Love is the most important emotion in the world because of the way if affects our relationships, our emotions, and our decisions.

Question:

• BAD: Do you think survival is important? I do. That is why we have instincts to keep us alive.

• GOOD: When we are facing life-threatening situations, what is it that keeps us alive? Some say that it is our ability to think through problems, however, our instinct is far stronger than our reason in a crisis. In both “The Most Dangerous Game,” and “One hand Gone but not his Spirit”, the main characters’ instincts are what helped them through their problems and kept them alive, in the end.

Part 2: Connecting Information

• To make for a smoother transition from your hook to your thesis, there should be a couple of sentences between that further explain your hook sentence.• The best way to use these "connecting sentences" would

be• 1. Expand on your Hook statement• 2. Provide any necessary background information about your topic

EXAMPLE:

• According to the department of children and family services, Louisiana has the highest child homelessness rate in the nation. These children are at the highest risk for dropping out of school. If we do not make better efforts to help homeless students, it will negatively effect their personal lives, our schools, and our state.

I started with a strong hook statement.

I used the next two sentence to

INTERPRET the data and provide NECESSARY information.My Bridge sentence

provided a seamless transition into my

thesis

Part 3: Thesis Statement

• Is a ROADMAP for the rest of your paper.• In an argumentative essay the thesis could be considered

your MAIN ARGUMENT. • A strong thesis provides a CLEAR direction for your paper. • The thesis should make a concise statement that tells your

reader exactly what you are taking a stance on.

Thesis Statement Formula:

Body Paragraph Format

• A body paragraph gives details, uses textual evidence, and gives any important information about your topic.

• C—Connect your first sentence to the paragraph before it. Use transition words or phrases like first, “one example is”, “specifically” , or “most importantly”.

• A—Answer the question. Use a fact, opinion, or a summary of information to support your thesis statement.

• C—Cite evidence! Use a quote from the text that supports your answer. Use passage tags such as “The text states...” or “The author says...”

• E—Explain your evidence. Add your own thoughts to your response. Use phrases like “This means...” or “This proves..”

Conclusion

• The conclusion is the MOST ignored part of an essay by students. • However, it is the last thing your audience will read.

Therefore it is important to leave them with a point to take away from your paper.

THE CONCLUSION TRIANGLE

Conclusions can be tricky, but you can make it easier by creating a “conclusion triangle” – start off the conclusion with your thesis then end with a very broad statement (big idea).

1. Restate your thesis1. Do NOT state it exactly like you did in your intro

2. Summarize your main points1. Do NOT re-state the entire body of your essay

3. Big Idea – Here are a few techniques you can use.1. Ask a thought – provoking question2. Call for action3. Evoke a vivid image (strong emotions)4. Use a quote

CONCLUSIONS: WHAT NOT TO DO

• Present new information: If you have more to discuss, write another BODY PARAGRAPH!• Focus on a minor point: Conclusions should provide a basic

overview of your MAIN points.• Apologize for your view by saying things like "This is just

my opinion": This is YOUR paper therefore YOU ARE THE EXPERT.• Repeat your introductory paragraph: I already read your

intro. Some info will be repeated in your conclusion, but it should NOT be an exact replica of your first paragraph.• Stating the Obvious: Ending with statements like "And that

is why I believe..." or "And this is what I think." is just awkward. AVOID IT!