Mrs. Mueller

English 9

The Persuasive Essay

Your opening statements

&

Crucial first impression

The Introduction

Purpose of the Introduction

• Gains the reader’s attention• Implies an organizational structure of the paper or

a road map• Connects to the body of the writing and is a clear

lead to the position/opinion/thesis statement• Reveals the position of the writer: the

opinion/thesis statement

Strategies for the introduction

• Scenario or anecdote: write a hypothetical or personal story to illustrate the topic.

• Inquiry or questioning: write thought provoking, edgy questions to capture the reader’s attention

• Preparatory Definition or Explanation: define or explain the subject before discussing it in the essay

• Popular or intriguing quotation: provide a quotation that will capture the reader

Example 1Scenario/anecdote

A muffled jingle begins playing somewhere in the room. Everyone’s eyes begin to dart around the room, giggling sets in, Mr. Nelson rolls his eyes and says, “take it out and turn it off.” But the damage is done, class is disrupted. Instances such as these occur frequently at Central High School. A cell phone policy that prohibits phones in the building would limit class disruption benefiting both teachers and students.

Example 2Inquiry/questioning

Who in their right mind would thought students should get up in the dark when their natural rhythm is just the opposite? Who in their right mind put the most inexperienced drivers on the road before the sun is even up? What parents in their right mind would sign up for a morning fight 180 days a year? What teacher in his or her right mind would want to motivate somnambulant first period class? Only someone who is in his or her right mind would adjust the start time of high school to 10:00 A.M.

Example 3Definition/Explanation

The majority of high schools have continued a starting time that began in the 1920s when students needed to get back to their farms to tend to chores after school. Today, most schools start between 7:20 and 8:00 A.M. Current research indicates this is the worst time for the teen mind. To ensure the success of students, schools need to start at 10:00 A.M.

Example 4Quotation

TV personality Oprah Winfrey recently proclaimed, “A teenager is three times more likely to have a car accident from texting behind the wheel rather than drinking while intoxicated” (Winfrey 12). Since dangers of texting while driving are so high, a ban should be placed on the practice.

Write the Introduction

• Take a look at your outline

• What introduction strategy do you think will work? How would you like to start?

• Write the introduction

Remember the introduction:• Gains the reader’s attention• Implies an organizational

structure of the paper or a road map

• Connects to the body of the writing and is a clearly lead to the position/opinion/thesis statement

• Reveals the position of the writer: the opinion/thesis statement

Opinion Statement

Road Map

GainsAttention

Mrs. Mueller’s AttemptOutline (partial)

Andrew Dotson should be President of the United States.

1. Andrew Dotson will preserve constitutional rights

2. Andrew Dotson will protect the United States of America

3. Andrew Dotson will ensure high-quality education.

The Introduction

“Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same” (Ronald Reagan). Preservation of constitutional rights, protection of the country, and high-quality education are necessary for the life of freedom. Andrew Dotson should be elected President of the United States to ensure freedom will be handed down.