Writing an IntroductionWriting an Introduction

What do I have to do?What do I have to do?

Job of IntroductionJob of Introduction

• Introduce your subjectIntroduce your subject

• Gain your reader’s attentionGain your reader’s attention

• Identify the specific focus Identify the specific focus and thesis and thesis

Basic structure of Basic structure of IntroductionIntroduction

• Begin with a “Grabber”Begin with a “Grabber”• Grabbers make general Grabbers make general comments about subjectcomments about subject

that draw readers in.that draw readers in.

Basic structure of Basic structure of IntroductionIntroduction

• Then identify the general Then identify the general topic of your papertopic of your paper

• This is the “Focus”This is the “Focus”

Basic structure of Basic structure of IntroductionIntroduction

• Finally, state your thesisFinally, state your thesis• The “Thesis” is what the The “Thesis” is what the essay is about.essay is about.

• It is the essay stated in one It is the essay stated in one sentence.sentence.

Basic structure of Basic structure of IntroductionIntroduction

• The “Focus” states the The “Focus” states the TOPIC of the essay.TOPIC of the essay.

• The “Thesis” states the The “Thesis” states the writer’s OPINION on the writer’s OPINION on the topic.topic.

Ways to beginWays to begin

• Share interesting or Share interesting or important detailsimportant details

• Ask the reader a questionAsk the reader a question

Ways to beginWays to begin

• Begin with an informative Begin with an informative quotationquotation

• Start with some Start with some thoughtful dialoguethoughtful dialogue

Ways to beginWays to begin• Simply identify the Simply identify the

identity of the main ideas identity of the main ideas you want to discuss you want to discuss (Usually, this is least (Usually, this is least interesting.)interesting.)

Among the HiddenOver population concerns many

scientists and political activists. If there is a problem, what should be done? In Margaret Haddix’s book Among the Hidden she shows the dangers of enforcing population control through government force.

Anti Aging ResearchAmericans are always looking for a way to stay

young. Scientists spend millions every year trying to discover a way to stop aging. In Margaret Haddix’s novel Turnabout, she shows that staying young may have a greater price than we are willing to pay. Scientists should consider not only the physical problems, but the moral, emotional and ethical problems of anti aging research.

Sample Thesis SentenceSample Thesis Sentence

Sample Thesis SentenceSample Thesis Sentence(Character’s name)(Character’s name) ( (problem problem

described)described) required she use required she use ((her abilities)her abilities) to overcome the to overcome the problem and as a result was a problem and as a result was a ((stronger/weaker)stronger/weaker) person person because ________________because ________________