The Introducto

ry Paragraph

The Introductory Paragraph

Sets the tone for the entire paper

“You had me at hello.”

Must grab the reader here!

If this was a trial, The Intro Paragraph

would be…

Your opening argument!

There are several

components that must be present

in the Intro Paragraph

1. Address your audience (remember your format)

2. Address the scenario/prompt

(go to the actual prompt)3. Introduce the subject4. Address the counter-

argument5. End in stating your

claim(thesis)

The outline for this paragraph

Breakit

down…

1. Address your audience You must the

correct format!

Let’s look at some and choose

the correct format….

Write a letter…Dear Mr. So-

and-soWrite an editorial…Dear Editor,Write an article on cats… Cat lovers

everywhere…Write a speech…Good Afternoon ____

Let’s take a look at the following prompt…

Writing SituationThe United States Postal Service has honored many individuals from American history, such as President George Washington, astronaut

Neil Armstrong, and animator Walt Disney, by placing their portraits (pictures) on postage

stamps. Imagine you had the task of selecting the next person from United States history to

be recognized on a stamp and the responsibility of explaining the reasons of your

choice to the public. Directions for Writing

Write an essay to the community explaining the person you would recognize and the

reasons you have for this choice. Help your audience to understand why this individual is

important and worthy of this honor by providing specific details and examples to

support your ideas.

• An essay.

What would be the format?

Who is the audience??

•The community?How would we address this audience??•My fellow community

members,

2. Address the scenario in the

“Writing Situation”What is the writing situation?

• Selecting the next person from United States

history to be recognized on a stamp and justifying

the choice.

Addressing the scenario…

How would we address this scenario?

Postage stamps have become an important

part of American culture recognizing significant contributors in history.

3. Introduce the subject

What is the subject?The person I want on a new

stamp.

For this example, we will use…

Harriet Tubman

Introducing the subject…How would we

introduce our subject?Abolitionist Harriet Tubman is

one of the most significant people in American History. Her contributions were invaluable to Abolitionist Movement and her story is inspiring to those

needing hope.

4. Address the Counter-ArgumentWhat is a counter-

argument?A contrasting or

opposing position.

4. Address the Counter-ArgumentWhat is the counter-

argument?Harriet Tubman

should not be on a postage stamp.

Addressing the counter-argument…

How would we address the counter-

argument?

Many people may think Harriet Tubman

is not significant enough to be featured on a postage stamp; however, this belief

cannot be further from the truth. In fact, her

impact has helped make America what it

is today.

5. End in a strong claim.What is a claim?

The writer’s position on the

topic.What do we mean by strong?The claim must be

powerful!?Must be clear!

Must be 1-sided!

Ending in a strong claim…

How would we end in a strong claim?

Therefore, we need to have Harriet Tubman on

our next postage stamp to recognize and honor her contributions to America.

Now…Let’s

put it alltogether…

My fellow community members,

Postage stamps have become an important part of American culture recognizing significant contributors in history. Abolitionist Harriet Tubman is one of the most significant people in American History. Her contributions were invaluable to Abolitionist Movement and her story is inspiring to those needing hope. Many people may think Harriet Tubman is not significant enough to be featured on a postage stamp; however, this belief cannot be further from the truth. In fact, her impact has helped make America what it is today. Therefore, we need to have Harriet Tubman on our next postage stamp to recognize and honor her contributions to America.

Do we have everything we

need?...All the

components?

My fellow community members,(1)

(2) Postage stamps have become an important part of American culture recognizing significant contributors in history.

(3)Abolitionist Harriet Tubman is one of the most significant people in American History. Her contributions were invaluable to the Abolitionist Movement and her story is inspiring to those needing hope.

(4)Many people may think Harriet Tubman is not significant enough to be featured on a postage stamp; however, this belief cannot be further from the truth. In fact, her impact has helped make America what it is today.

(5) Therefore, we need to have Harriet Tubman on our next postage stamp to recognize and honor her contributions to America.

Remember!• Do not

• use “you”• use contractions• use questions• use slang

• say “I think/I believe”• introduce a new idea

• Do:• use strong vocab• check diction for

appropriateness

Forbidden Wordsa lot very nice good

beautiful bad thing pretty

wonderful terrible reallyfine

just you

I think I know I believe