HELP!! How do I begin my paper? Writing Introductions Mrs. Johnson, ELA

Why are introductions important? First impressions are lasting impressions! If your introduction is poor, your readers may stop there, or continue on with the wrong assumptions about your essay. If it’s good, even captivating, your readers will continue enthusiastically.

What should an introduction do? 2 main things: Get your readers’ attention and interest.(leave them dying to hear more). Identify the specific topic of the report. Don’t make the reader try and guess what you’re writing about.

Get your readers’ interest Tell a story that connects to your discussion-make sure it matches your prompt.

Begin with an interesting quote According to Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Begin with a Question If a person fails at something repeatedly, should he or she consider quitting?

Begin with a scene or captivating story For the thousandth time, the boy swung his bat and struck out. Every morning for three months, he has gotten out of bed before the sun came up to practice his swing in the batting cage. Swing, swing, swing. His arms ached with the impact and reverberation. All he could do was return to the dugout with hot shame burning his cheeks.

Identify the Specific Topic or Thesis Statement BE SPECIFIC! You have to state what your topic is about. You must get to the point! Your introduction must answer the prompt.

Thesis statement To the point, concise sentence that states what the essay is about gives direction to the essay conventionally placed at the end of the introductory paragraph

BIG NO-NO’s-Do Not Put This In Your Papers BIG NO-NO’s-Do Not Put This In Your Papers! It’s the #1 Killer of all papers! Avoid saying: “my paper is about…” “…this is what I’m going to write about…” “Today I’m going to write about…”

How long do introductions have to be? Introductions vary in length according to your purpose, writing style, the complexity of your topic (what you’re going to write about), and the length of your essay. Yours should not be less than 5 sentences!!!

Other things to include… Figurative Language Similes ex: “A person yelled passionately like a preacher…” Metaphors ex: “His voice began to slowly rise deep within his throat and rushed out to inspire everyone with strong encouragement.”

6th Period class introduction For the thousandth time, the boy swung his bat and struck out. Every morning for three months, he has gotten out of bed before the sun came up to practice his swing in the batting cage. Swing, swing, swing. His arms ached with the impact and reverberation. All he could do was return to the dugout with hot shame burning his cheeks. Many people would probably consider quitting and take up a new hobby. However, would it be wrong for him to quit if there is something else that he might be better at doing? The average person encounters this type of choice all the time. Even though society looks down on quitters, there are times when quitting is the absolutely correct option. When someone stops enjoying an activity, realizes they do not have the natural ability necessary to achieve their goal, and when their time would be better spent elsewhere, it is time to move on to other interests.