Interesting Introductions Using: Grabbers, Hooks, Leads

Use an interesting introduction with a grabber, hook, lead: 1. Never say “Hello….blah blah” or “This essay will be about…” THAT IS BORING! 2. You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Ten techniques we will learn about: Action Lead Anecdote Character “Thought-shot” Definition Lead Dialogue Lead Famous Quotation (Quote Lead) Riddle Lead Shocking Statement Lead Question Lead Vivid Visualization Lead

ACTION LEAD Start with an action that drops you right into the middle of a situation: Example: The ice began to crack all around him, like little spider veins spreading out from his skate. If he moved, even an inch, he would plunge into the icy lake.

ANECDOTE A short story within an introduction to make the point clear. Example: Sally got out of bed, and looked at the alarm clock. She was running late! She would have to hurry to catch the bus. This was one of those days that she was glad that her school had a uniform policy…she wouldn’t have to waste much time picking out an outfit.

CHARACTER “THOUGHT-SHOT” Describe what a character is thinking about. Example: I had no idea what I was going to tell my parents when I got home. How do you tell someone that their car had been stolen the very first time they lent it to you? My mind was in turmoil, and I felt as if a stone was pushing me down into the depths of the sea.