Do Now/Quick Write #13: Do Now/Quick Write #13:

• Carefully read the following Carefully read the following beginnings for an essay on the beginnings for an essay on the world’s most practical joker: Hugh world’s most practical joker: Hugh Troy. Which one would you select Troy. Which one would you select as an opening paragraph? Why? as an opening paragraph? Why?

Which opening would you select? Why?Which opening would you select? Why?

Nothing seemed unusual. Nothing seemed unusual. In fact, it was a rather In fact, it was a rather common occurrence in common occurrence in New York City. Five New York City. Five men dressed in overalls men dressed in overalls roped off a section of roped off a section of Fifth Avenue, and Fifth Avenue, and began ripping up the began ripping up the pavement. pavement.

Hugh Troy was born in Hugh Troy was born in Ithaca, New York, Ithaca, New York, where his father was a where his father was a professor at Cornell professor at Cornell University. After University. After graduating, Troy graduating, Troy became a successful became a successful illustrator of children’s illustrator of children’s books. books.

The King of Hearts in Alice in The King of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland said, “Begin at Wonderland said, “Begin at the the beginningbeginning and you will go on till and you will go on till you come to the end: then stop.” you come to the end: then stop.”

Aim: How do you create a clear Aim: How do you create a clear and compelling and compelling introductionintroduction??

Aim: How do you create a clear and Aim: How do you create a clear and compelling introductioncompelling introduction? ?

1.1. Hooks Hooks reader’s interest reader’s interest 2.2. Introduces your Introduces your context/thesiscontext/thesis3.3. Suggests or reveals the Suggests or reveals the structure structure of of

your composition your composition

Wait until writing has begun to revise Wait until writing has begun to revise the introduction! the introduction!

How do you create a clear and How do you create a clear and compelling compelling introductionintroduction??

• It is possible to stop drug addiction in the It is possible to stop drug addiction in the U.S. in a short period of time. U.S. in a short period of time. – Startling statementStartling statement

• Erma Bombeck once said, “Never go to a Erma Bombeck once said, “Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.” doctor whose office plants have died.” – Quotation/HumorQuotation/Humor

• Is it true that if we change any part of the Is it true that if we change any part of the world we risk unduly damaging life in other world we risk unduly damaging life in other parts of it?parts of it?

How do you NOT create a clear and compelling introduction?

• ApologyApology– I am a high school student and do not

consider myself an expert on computers, but I think many companies make false claims about how easy it is to use a computer.

• ComplaintComplaint– I’d rather write about a topic of my own I’d rather write about a topic of my own

choice that the one that is assigned, but choice that the one that is assigned, but here goes. here goes.

How do you NOT create a clear and compelling introduction?

• Webster’s DictionaryWebster’s Dictionary–Webster’s Dictionary defines the verb to Webster’s Dictionary defines the verb to

snore as follows…snore as follows…• PlatitudePlatitude– America is the land of opportunity and no America is the land of opportunity and no

one knows it better than Madonna.one knows it better than Madonna.• Reference to Title Reference to Title – As you can see from my title, this essay is As you can see from my title, this essay is

about…about…

Aim: How do you create a clear and Aim: How do you create a clear and compelling introductioncompelling introduction? ?

• “It’s been said you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Unfortunately, I learned this lesson the hard way.”

• Choose an attention-getter from the list on page 33. Working with your partner, compose an alternative hook for this essay.