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Transcript of Introduction
The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory ParagraphThe Paragraph that HooksThe Paragraph that Hooks
Your ReaderYour Reader
Introductio
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An IntroductionAn IntroductionDefinition and Purpose
An introduction is the first paragraph in your essay andcontains the thesis statement. The main purposes of anintroduction are to…
catch your reader’s attention so that he/she will become interested in reading your essay.
present the focus of your essay and give your reader some general information about your subject.
An introduction always includes somegeneral statements about your subject and athesis statement that announces the focus ofyour essay. The thesis statement is usuallythe last sentence in the introduction becauseit is the most specific. Notice how theintroduction below begins with generalinformation and becomes more specific.
An IntroductionAn IntroductionGeneral Information and Focus
An IntroductionAn IntroductionGeneral Information and Focus
Specific focus ofessay and thesisstatement.
General statements provide backgroundinformation on the focus of health carefor homeless people with HIV.
There are a number of frightening disease epidemics occurring in
the United States today, but one of the most frightening is the
epidemic spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Among the most
serious of these sexually transmitted diseases is HIV which leads to
AIDS, a fatal disease. HIV is especially problematic among
homeless people. This particular population is difficult to treat due to
a number of barriers such as, limited access to health care, mistrust
of health care professionals, and a lack of awareness of the disease,
itself.
An IntroductionAn IntroductionA Closer Look
Let’s look at that introduction again and see how the sentences
become more and more specific leading to the thesis statement.
There are a number of frightening disease epidemics occurring in the United States today, but one of the most frightening is the epidemic spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Among the most serious of these sexually transmitted diseases is HIV which leads to AIDS, a fatal disease.
HIV is especially problematic among homeless people.
This particular population is difficult to treat due to a number of barriers such as, limited access
to health care, mistrust of health care
professionals, and a lack of awareness of the
disease, itself.
GeneralStatements
MoreSpecific
Very Specific:Thesis
Statement
Example #2Example #2General Information and Focus
Here is another example of how an introduction can begin with general information and become more specific with a thesis statement at the end.
Example #2Example #2General Information and Focus
Specific focus ofessay and thesisstatement.
General statements provide backgroundinformation on the steps the Indiangovernment is taking to reduce population.
Overpopulation and finding ways to reduce it are big concerns
of many developing nations today. One nation that is concerned
about this issue is India. One of the biggest causes of overpopulation
in India is the high infant mortality rate. Parents often have more
children because they are fearful that if some children die, there
won’t be enough children to take care of them in their old age. India is
taking some important steps in dealing with this problem. Some of
the steps the Indian government is taking are providing birth control
for women, improving pre-natal care, and educating women on the
benefits of having fewer children.
Example #2Example #2A Closer Look
Look at the example below to see how the sentences in theintroduction become more and more specific leading to thethesis statement.
Overpopulation and finding ways to reduce it are big concerns of many
developing nations today. One nation that is concerned about this issue is India.
One of the biggest causes of overpopulation in India is the high infant
mortality rate.
Parents often have more children because they are fearful that if
some children die, there won’t be enough children to take care of
them in their old age.
India is taking some important steps in dealing with this
problem. Some of the steps the Indian government is
taking are providing birth control for women, improving
pre-natal care, and educating women on the benefits
of having fewer children.
GeneralStatements
MoreSpecific
VerySpecific:Thesis
Statement
An IntroductionAn IntroductionCatch the Reader’s Attention
In addition to stating the thesis and providing some general
information on your subject, an introduction also needs to catch areader’s attention and cause him/her to become interested inreading your essay. There are several ways you can introduceyour subject and catch your reader’s attention.
Use a story or example of a personal experience.
Use a quotation.
Use a question or questions.
A brief dramatic story or example can beused to get the attention of your reader. Look at the example below and think abouthow it catches your attention.
Catching AttentionCatching AttentionUsing a Story or Personal Experience
Personal Story or ExamplePersonal Story or Example A personal story can “hook” yourreader into wanting to read more.
ThesisStatement
When the car accident happened, my brother was left with a
broken arm, leg, and hip. My mother nearly died due to head
injuries. However, we all survived due to the team of emergency
medical technicians who responded quickly to the scene and
provided us with the help we needed. After my experience of being
involved in a car accident, I saw how I could use my interest in first
aid and desire to help other people through becoming an
emergency medical technician. Now, after twenty years of work as
an EMT, I think it is the most rewarding job I could ever have and
feel that the occupation, itself, has numerous advantages over other
occupations in the health care field.
Personal Story or ExamplePersonal Story or ExampleExample #2
Here’s another example of how you can use a story to catch a reader’s attention in an introduction.
John’s parents divorced when he was in elementary school.
After the divorce, his mother had to go to work to support him and
his three sisters. This disrupted John’s home life in serious ways.
Without the constant supervision of his mother and the lack of a
father for a role-model, John began skipping school and socializing
with the wrong group of people. He eventually turned to taking
drugs and was later arrested for being a drug dealer and sent to
prison. John is not unlike other prisoners. In many prisons today,
over half of all inmates come from divorced families. Divorce can
be the catalyst that unleashes emotional problems in children
and can affect children psychologically, mentally, and socially.
Personal Story or ExamplePersonal Story or ExampleExample #2
An example of a story in the third person.
ThesisStatement
Sometimes controversial or well-knownquotations can be used to surprise yourreader. Look at the example below andnotice how a quotation can be used to getyou interested in the rest of the essay.
Catching AttentionCatching AttentionUsing a Quote
Using a QuoteUsing a Quote A well-known quotationfrom American literature.
ThesisStatement
Henry David Thoreau, an American poet, once wrote, “ Our life is
frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify!” These words of advice
are difficult to follow in a society where a hectic pace of life is the
norm and the attainment of more material goods is encouraged.
However, I believe that this philosophy of living simply has quite a
bit of merit. The difficulty of following this philosophy is knowing
where we should begin. If we examine Henry David Thoreau’s life
carefully, I believe we will find a number of ways in which to simplify
our own lives and yet live richly.(Quotation from: Watson, 1951)
QuotationQuotationExample #2
Here’s another example of how you can use a quotation to catch a reader’s attention in an introduction.
Horace once wrote, “ Many blessings do the advancing years
bring with them.” For many senior citizens in the United States
today, old age can often come as a curse. Many older people suffer
from ill health, loneliness, and/or financial instability; however, life
in later years does not have to be this way. Many senior citizens
can experience the blessings of advancing years that Horace once
wrote about. In order to do that, let’s consider ways in which old
age actually enhances life.(Quotation from: Watson, 1951)
QuotationQuotationExample #2
Quotation
Thesis Statement
Another way to catch your reader’sattention is with a question. Questions canmake your reader begin thinking about thesubject in your essay.
Catching AttentionCatching AttentionUsing Questions
Have you ever run in a marathon? Most marathons are twenty
six miles. Have you ever heard of one-hundred mile marathons?
The state of Colorado hosts a one-hundred mile marathon each
year. People from all over the United States and the world run in
this marathon. Some of the top runners in this race have been
members of the Tarahumara Indian tribe in the Sierra Madre
mountains of Mexico. Tarahumaras do not train for marathons, but
their lifestyle and culture promotes, develops, and supports this
type of athletic endeavor.
Using QuestionsUsing Questions Questions that may surprise your reader.
Thesis Statement
Did you know that one of the eight architectural wonders of the world
is located in Cambodia? Angkor Wat is an ancient Buddhist temple that
was the center of culture and religion for the Khmer empire for several
centuries. It was only recently re-discovered by a French explorer during
the 1800’s. It has now become one of the most popular tourist attractions
in Southeast Asia. If you visit Angkor Wat, you will find much to admire in
its size, historical significance, and beauty.
QuestionsQuestionsExample #2
Here’s another example of how you can use a question to catch a reader’s attention in an introduction.
Question
Thesis Statement