1. The Structure of the Introductory Paragraph

2. The Thesis statement
Lets the reader know what the essay is going to be about
Helps the writer organize the essay
The last sentence of the intro paragraph
Addresses the prompt and includes your reasons

3. The Hook (aka: grabber, aka: lead)
No more than 1 to 2 sentences
At the very beginning of the intro paragraph
Designed to GRAB the readers attention

4. The Bridge
After the hook, an introductory paragraph needs a bridge that transitions into the thesis statement.
The content of the bridge depends on the hook used.
The sentence after the hook will somehow address the hook. As the bridge progresses, the reader might be able to guess where the essay will go.
A well-written bridge will naturally lead to a clear and precise thesis statement that tells the reader exactly what the essay is about.

5. The Bridge
HOOK THESIS

6. The Bridge: is 1 - 3sentences that connect your hook to your thesis.
The bridge should fill in background info and add detail for the reader…you are “bridging” the space between the hook(the opening sentence) and the thesis(what you are going to write about in the body paragraphs).
One way to make a bridge is to explain why the topic is important.

7. Remember, THE BRIDGE IS NOT THE SAME AS THE HOOK OR THE THESIS.

8. Bridge Examples ●Let’s look at an example introduction with bridges:
The prompt - Washington is an amazing place!

9. Bridge with Commentary
There is a unique state, one with 1,000,000 acres of forest, 600 lakes, 15 ferries, and the cleanest air in the USA. This shows the statistic that some states are probably more desirable to live in than others. Washington, my home state, is a great place to explore temperate rain forests, dramatic coastlines, and volcanic mountains.

10. Bridge with a Question
There is a unique state, one with 1,000,000 acres of forest, 600 lakes, 15 ferries, and the cleanest air in the USA. So where could one travel to find such a picturesque place? Washington, my home state, is a great place to explore temperate rain forests, dramatic coastlines, and volcanic mountains.

11. Bridge with a Transitional Statement
There is a unique state, one with 1,000,000 acres of forest, 600 lakes, 15 ferries, and the cleanest air in the USA. Life for me wouldn’t be the same if I hadn’t been born in this wonderful place. Washington, my home state, is a great place to explore temperate rain forests, dramatic coastlines, and volcanic mountains.

12. Exercise: Read the following sample introduction
Exercise: Read the following sample introduction. Remember that a bridge is where you bring up the topic of your paper, but nothing specific.
Example Paragraph: Underline the HOOK once. Circle the BRIDGE. Underline the THESIS twice.
Most people don’t choose who they eat dinner with every night. It is usually whomever a person lives with, or is around as dinnertime. There are many fascinating people to spend time with while eating dinner. If I were able to choose any three people, dead or alive to eat with, it would take me a while to decide. After great consideration I would invite Oprah, my grandma, and President Lincoln