Introduction ParagraphsHooks and Thesis Statements

Introduction ParagraphHook

Necessary background OR Transition

Thesis

Hook- Grab reader’s attention

Background- Introduce the topic OR

Transition- Sentence(s) that connect your hook to the thesis

Thesis-Summarize your claim and evidence

Hooks

Catches the reader’s attention right away

First sentence of your introduction

Types of Hooks

Quotation“You are what you eat” is an

expression that is familiar to many. When it comes to restaurant eating, though, many people may not realize what, exactly, they really are eating.

“When trying to stay fit, I avoid eating in restaurants. I know they will derail my diet.” Beyonce understands the fact that dining out does not equal healthy eating.

Types of HooksQuestion should NOT be a simple yes/no answerbe careful – it is dangerous to assume the

reader cares about the answer.

Do you know the nutrition information from your favorite restaurant foods?

Types of HooksIntriguing statement startling fact that will surprise and intrigue

readers OR

broad statement readers can relate toRecent research shows that 245 chain

restaurants do not meet national nutrition requirements.

80% of Americans go out to eat at least once per week.

Types of HooksAnecdoteBrief story that is an example, or captures the

attitude/tone, or the issue, tone, or topic you are writing aboutAdrienne Harms sat down with friends at her

favorite chain restaurant, Chili’s, two weeks ago. Recently diagnosed with celiac disease, she looked forward to ordering a new menu item advertised as being gluten-free. Only an hour after this supposedly celiac-friendly meal, however, Harms was sick to the point of needing hospitalization. Sadly, hers is not the only story of restaurants failing to provide healthy, safe meal options.

Types of HooksImagine StatementCreate a “verbal picture” that will help readers

imagine a scenario related to your ideaImagine sitting down in front of your favorite

restaurant meal. Perhaps it is a slice of pizza, fresh out of the pizza oven, dripping with cheese. Maybe it is a bed of fluffy, steamy white rice topped with a sweet-smelling sauce and piping-hot chicken and vegetables. It could be a grilled burger, oozing barbeque sauce, barely contained by two toasty buns. Regardless of what your favorite restaurant meal is, one thing is for certain: while it may taste good, it is most definitely not good for you.

Which sentences is the hook?Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

Which sentences is the hook?Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

Background2-3 sentences providing a basic

overview of the topic

In the middle of intro paragraph (between hook and thesis)

What do readers need to know about your subject (in order to understand your thesis)?

Which sentences is background?Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

Which sentences is background?Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

TransitionIf you decide to save background

information for the first body paragraph, you will need to make sure you smoothly transition from the hook to the thesis.

“You are what you eat” is an expression that is familiar to many. When it comes to restaurant eating, though, many people may not realize what, exactly, they really are eating. Restaurant food is frequently very unhealthy for its diners.

Thesis StatementPurpose: Give a preview of your

paper

Claim and evidence

In our case…. my debatable claim and and my three big ideas for evidence (based off of your essential questions)

ThesisClaim + 3 pieces of evidence, written as

a statement

Research Question: In what ways are restaurants failing to provide healthy dining options for customers?

Thesis: Restaurants do not provide a healthy dining experience for customers because the menu items are not nutritious, the portions sizes are too big, and there are few options for those with special dietary needs.

Which sentences is the thesis?Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

Which sentence is the thesis?Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.