1. Openers – Leads - Intros White & Billings

2. Writing the Intro Just because the intro is the first thing that the reader readers, it doesn’t mean that it is the first thing that you have to write The only part of the intro that has to be done before you begin the whole essay is the thesis.

3. Purpose of the Intro 1.…is to introduce the topic and background information to understand or at least appreciate the topic’s seriousness. 2.…is to state the thesis.

4. Four Basic Intros Occasional Opening –Refers to a current event or local incident and uses it as the occasion for writing the essay Startling Opening –Grabs the attention of readers with unexpected information that shocks and awes Anecdotal Opening –Uses a brief story to engage the reader’s attention quickly. Analytical Opening –Immediately launches into a critical discussion of the issue.

5. What not to do in an Introduction Don’t apologize –“in my opinion” – “I may not be an expert but” Don’t begin with a dictionary definition –“According to webster’s” Don’t announce what you are going to do –“In this paper I will” & “The purpose of this essay is to” Don’t Wander –Avoid annoying digressions, “I digress”

6. Practice 1.The opening to an argument about the potential significance of discovering life elsewhere in the universe, by a professor of natural history. 2.The opening to an argument about the merits of urban public schools, by a newspaper columnist. 3.The opening to an argument about how best to curtail obesity among young people, by two medical researchers.