Drafting: Writing Introductions Introduction Writing your introduction Set the right tone Capture your audience’s attention Present your thesis Your Turn 1: Write introductions

Hi, Keesha, I’m Joan. I’m new at this school. Hey! Nice shirt! I’m Keesha. Introduction The beginning, or introduction, to your composition is where the reader “meets” your writing for the first time. When you meet someone for the first time, you introduce yourself.

Introduction Some of the most memorable moments in relationships are the hellos. This is true in writing, too. When you write, make sure that what your readers see first is both engaging and memorable.

Writing your introduction The introduction is an important part of any piece of writing. This is where your readers are introduced to your ideas. The introduction to a piece of writing should establish the right tone grab your audience’s attention tell your thesis, or main idea

Writing Tip: Introductions Do you find introductions difficult to write? You don’t have to write an introduction first. You might work on the body of your paper and then go back to write the introduction afterward. When you’ve finished drafting the body of your paper, go back to the beginning. Think about what kind of opening would make your reader want to read your paper.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Have you ever heard the phrase, “first impressions are important”? What first impressions do these people give?

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Your writing must also make a good first impression. The introduction is your chance to grab your audience’s attention and make them want to continue reading.

Address the reader directly. If readers make their own connection to the topic, they are more likely to continue reading. Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Try beginning your introduction with one of the following attention-getting techniques: Have you ever seen a beautiful painting—on the outside wall of a building or in a park? Murals are a way for communities to create and view art.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Tell an anecdote (a short, personal story). Readers are often more interested in a topic when they can see the human side of it. I remember when my class worked together to create a mural on the wall by our school playground. I accidentally splashed a bucket of red paint near the bottom! One of my classmates came to my rescue and turned the splatter into a bunch of flowers. That’s when I realized that mural painting is all about working together.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Ask an interesting question. Readers will stick around to see how you answer it! What is bright, colorful, and can inspire people to be kind and peaceful? John Zender Estrada’s murals in Los Angeles contain images that inspire pride and nonviolence.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Define a key word that is important to understanding your topic. According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, a mural is “a large picture that has been painted on the wall of a room or building.” Murals can be found in cities all over the United States.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Start with an interesting quotation. Many people have probably made interesting comments that relate to your topic. Murals are much more than pretty pictures.“A mural tells the story of a community—about its people and its history,” says muralist Maria Corbel. “Most of all, it tells about a community’s dreams.”

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Juan, a student writing about the ancient city of Machu Picchu, decided to start his paper with an anecdote. Hiram Beecham, a college professor, and his guide were hiking in the mountains of Peru. They walked for hours, through forests and steep trails. Finally, they found what they had been seeking: ancient houses and temples, ruins of fountains and steps. They found Machu Picchu, the famous city built by the Incas.

Writing your introduction Set the right tone Tone is the attitude toward your subject that you reveal in your writing. As you write your introduction, make sure you use words that create a tone that is appropriate to the audience and the purpose of your writing. For example, your tone might be objectivelogical funny critical detachedformalimpassioned friendly sarcastic

Juan is writing a report for his social studies class. He has decided that he should use a formal tone. slang informal language contractions Juan will use Standard English and proper grammar conventions, and he will avoid: Writing your introduction Set the right tone

Writing your introduction Present your thesis A writer often presents his or her thesis to the reader in the introduction. Presenting your thesis at the beginning of your paper is a way of showing readers what they will find in your writing.

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that both identifies your topic and tells the reader what you will say about that topic. Writing your introduction Present your thesis

Writing Tip: Thesis statements If you’d like to use a thesis statement but didn’t write one during prewriting, you should do so now. You might use this formula: Topic: + Main Idea About Topic: Thesis: murals Murals enhance city life in the U.S. Murals make U.S. cities more beautiful and reflect the ideas and hopes of a community.

Writing your introduction Present your thesis Here is Juan’s thesis statement: Macchu Pichu, the “secret city” of the Incas, has a fascinating history.

Start with an anecdote. Hiram Beecham, a college professor, and his guide were hiking in the mountains of Peru. They walked for hours, through forests and steep trails. Finally, they found what they had been seeking: ancient houses and temples, ruins of fountains and steps. They found Macchu Pichu, the famous city built by the Incas. Macchu Pichu, the “secret city” of the Incas, has a fascinating history. Writing your introduction Note that Juan’s tone, attention-getting technique, and thesis work together to make an effective introduction. formal tone thesis statement

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