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Writing an Introductory Writing an Effective Introductory Paragraph
1. Hook
The hook is the first sentence of an introduction. Its purpose is to draw in readers- to capture their attention and make them want to read more. This can be achieved by:
· using a startling or compelling fact/statistic related to the essay's topic
· asking an important question
· using an interesting quotation from a reputable source
2. Introduce Title & Author: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
3. Brief Synopsis: A synopsis is a condensed version or description of a much longer piece of literature.
EXAMPLE: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the story of a boy who is torn between the Indian world and the white world.
EXAMPLE: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is about a boy who realizes he must leave his home Indian reservation and go to a white school in order to find hope.
4. Introduction of the Ideas : This is where the main idea(s) of the essay are generally introduced without revealing specific examples, later to be discussed in the body paragraphs.
5. Thesis Statement: When Junior witnesses his father killing the family dog, it has a significant impact on his life because for the first time he understands how poverty forces people to make difficult choices and this is not something he wants in his future.
Sample Introductory Paragraph:
(indent 5 spaces)Imagine having to kill a loved one because there is not enough money to pay to have him treated at the hospital. Not only is this a tragic situation, but one that could be traumatizing for all who have to cope with it. This is exactly what Junior has to do in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Junior, the main character, lives in hopelessness and deep poverty with his family on an Indian Reservation outside of Spokane, Washington. It is here where the brutal realities of poverty help him to realize that he wants something better for his life, therefore he decides to go to an all white school in a neighboring town. However, he would have never made this decision if something had not happened to fuel his internal fire. When Junior witnesses his father killing the family dog, it has a significant impact on his life because for the first time he understands how poverty forces people to make difficult choices and this is not something he wants in his future.
1. Hook
The hook is the first sentence of an introduction. Its purpose is to draw in readers- to capture their attention and make them want to read more. This can be achieved by:
· using a startling or compelling fact/statistic related to the essay's topic
· asking an important question
· using an interesting quotation from a reputable source
2. Introduce Title & Author: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
3. Brief Synopsis: A synopsis is a condensed version or description of a much longer piece of literature.
EXAMPLE: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the story of a boy who is torn between the Indian world and the white world.
EXAMPLE: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is about a boy who realizes he must leave his home Indian reservation and go to a white school in order to find hope.
4. Introduction of the Ideas : This is where the main idea(s) of the essay are generally introduced without revealing specific examples, later to be discussed in the body paragraphs.
5. Thesis Statement: When Junior witnesses his father killing the family dog, it has a significant impact on his life because for the first time he understands how poverty forces people to make difficult choices and this is not something he wants in his future.
Sample Introductory Paragraph:
(indent 5 spaces)Imagine having to kill a loved one because there is not enough money to pay to have him treated at the hospital. Not only is this a tragic situation, but one that could be traumatizing for all who have to cope with it. This is exactly what Junior has to do in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Junior, the main character, lives in hopelessness and deep poverty with his family on an Indian Reservation outside of Spokane, Washington. It is here where the brutal realities of poverty help him to realize that he wants something better for his life, therefore he decides to go to an all white school in a neighboring town. However, he would have never made this decision if something had not happened to fuel his internal fire. When Junior witnesses his father killing the family dog, it has a significant impact on his life because for the first time he understands how poverty forces people to make difficult choices and this is not something he wants in his future.
