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The opening paragraph to your essay plays a central role in a well-written composition. It sets up the essay for success or failure. Keen attention must be placed on the prompt given before writing an introduction. The thesis generated must follow the guidelines give in the prompt. The introduction should accomplish three things: First, it should gain the reader’s attention. Second, it should discuss the subject at hand. Finally, it must identify the focus, the thesis for the essay. There are several ways to write an induction: using quotes, questions, interesting facts, surprising background, summarizing an event, specific facts and general background. The purpose of all these methods is the same: to introduce the thesis statement. The purpose of the introduction is to draw your reader into the essay and to DEFINE the focus of the essay with a thesis statement.
EXAMPLE ONE
Prompt: How can military readiness be improved?
Through strength the United States military keeps America safe. Maintaining effective power requires well-trained personnel, be it sailors, air men, marines or soldiers. Each member of the military requires specialized instruction so that they can fit into a complex puzzle. The training and the strength of each individual gives potency to the whole. The time has come to start training members of our military at an earlier age—the time has come to start drafting babies into our armed forces. - by B.W.
EXAMPLE TWO
Prompt: What is the most impressive hunter in the animal kingdom?
African lions roar and strut and act the apex carnivore, but they’re lucky to catch 25 percent of the prey they pursue. Great white sharks have 300 slashing teeth and that ominous soundtrack, and still nearly half their hunts fail. Dragonflies, by contrast, look dainty, glittery and fun, like a bubble bath or costume jewelry, and they’re often grouped with butterflies and ladybugs on the very short list of insects people like. Yet they are also voracious aerial predators, and new research shows they are the most impressive hunters in the animal kingdom. - by NATALIE ANGIER
EXAMPLE THREE
Directions: Write four questions that can inspire an essay or paragraph long response.
1. Your best friend just got married. Twenty minutes later their new spouse hits on you. Do you tell your friend that day? Do you tell them at all?
2. If your family was starving, would you steal to feed them?
3. After the penguin dancing movie “Happy Feet” is released, a local restaurant decides to do a promotion. You can get a “Happy Feet” special for only $5.99. It features two grilled penguin feet, fries, a large soda, and a little top hat. How do think the public will react?
4. You have the offered the chance to be the first person to land on Mars. NASA says the round trip will take at least three years and is extremely risky. Most of the time you will spend locked into a small capsule with three other astronauts. Do you want to go? Why or why not?
DIRECTIONS
For this assignment you will write and present two introductory paragraphs and four though-provoking questions. Each student will be assigned a sheet number. Students will use the link below to identify the sheet or page that lists the prompts to choose from. Students must use their assigned sheet or no credit will be given.
SHEETS LINK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jpy1oo6rKmfxu8LFSaFSHa7UA7tEUtFR/view?usp=sharing
EXAMPLE PRESENTATION: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15u6wQp6WsNUBJ1QJu_sSWdT-0yc7H0gP/view?usp=sharing