Introduction Paragraph

Introduction Paragraph

The purpose of your introduction paragraph is: To creatively grab your reader’s attention, making

her interested, wanting to read the rest of the paper.

Provide background information about the topic. To outline what your paper will be about.

Introduction Paragraph

There are three main parts: Hook Transition Thesis Statement

Introduction

Broad

Specific

Hook

Purpose: Grab the reader’s attention Make the reader want to keep reading

Options for hooks: Quotes from historical or well-known figures Startling facts (NOT a piece of your evidence!) Thought-provoking statement about your topic NO Questions!!

Hook

Example:

American author Aldous Huxley once said, “Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means of going backwards.”

Hook

Example:

In America, 98% of students own some sort of digital device (“Positive Impact of Technology”).

Hook

Example:

Children who used to be content playing outside with friends now spend the majority of their time isolated, in front of screens.

Transition

Purpose: Guide the reader from the hook to the thesis

statement. Here, you should provide background information

about your topic. What is the core of the debate that is happening around your topic?

This would also be a good place to introduce both your argument and the counter.

Transition Example:

Children who used to be content playing outside with friends now spend the majority of their time isolated, in front of screens. Many people are worried about the way that technology is affecting America’s youth. On the one hand, concerns include questions about how the overuse of technology at increasingly younger ages will negatively affect a child’s brain, health, and social interactions. However, opponents to this idea focus on how technology can help children and students when it comes to connecting with each other, completing schoolwork effectively and efficiently, and even “rewiring” their brains to think in more creative ways.

Thesis

Purpose: Outline what you will talk about in your paper Create the structure your paper will follow

Thesis

Example:

Although some may believe that technology has negative effects on students’ social and school habits, in reality, technology is a great benefit to students and teenagers because it helps with schoolwork, engages social skills, and enhances creativity.

Children who used to be content playing outside with friends now spend the majority of their time isolated, in front of screens. Many people are worried about the way that technology is affecting America’s youth. On the one hand, concerns include questions about how the overuse of technology at increasingly younger ages will negatively affect a child’s brain, health, and social interactions. However, opponents to this idea focus on how technology can help children and students when it comes to connecting with each other, completing schoolwork effectively and efficiently, and even “rewiring” their brains to think in more creative ways. Although some may believe that technology has negative effects on students’ social and school habits, in reality, technology is a great benefit to students and teenagers because it helps with schoolwork, engages social skills, and enhances creativity.

Conclusion

Purpose: To wrap up all the ideas in your paper To leave the reader with something to think about.

Conclusion

Three main parts: Restate thesis Summary of main points Concluding thoughts

Restate Thesis

Purpose: Bring the body of your paper back to your thesis

statement

MUST be a restatement: DO NOT copy and paste the same sentence from your introduction.

Restate Thesis

Example:

The arguments against technology in a teenagers life may be worth considering; however, it is clear that technology is a strong benefit to students when it comes to their schoolwork, social skills, and creative ability.

Summary of Main Points

Purpose: Briefly show how the body of your paper proved

your thesis

Summarize each body paragraph in one sentence.

Summary of Main Points Example:

First, technology strongly helps students complete schoolwork effectively with the use of online research sources, and increases communication with their teachers.

Also, technology enhances teenager’s social skills by providing ways to meet new people online, as well as maintain relationships with family and friends who may be far away.

Final Thoughts

Purpose: Apply your paper to a more universal context Give the reader something to think about after

they’re finished reading your paper

Hint: It may be a good idea to tie back into your hook, as it will bring your paper full circle – a good way to give closure.

Final Thoughts Example:

It is clear that the use of technology should not be shunned among parents and teachers, but rather, embraced. While teenagers today may be different than teenagers in the past, that has been the case with every generation. The use of technology is creating a better tomorrow with a more capable youth.

Notes! You paper should not include (in the intro or

otherwise) : 1st or 2nd personal pronouns (I, me, my; you, your;

we us, our) Any phrase that says “what this paper will be

about” or what “I (or we) will discuss” This will make me

Contractions (can’t, don’t, won’t, she’ll, etc.)