1. Writing a paper: Introductory paragraphs
English 9

2. Introductory Paragraph
The purposes of an introduction are to:
Get your readers’ attention
Inform the reader of your topic
Declare your thesis statement (state your argument)

3. Introductory Paragraph
Must include:
Attention Getter
Title of literary piece
Ex. The Odyssey
Author’s name
Thesis
Statement of order (usually attached to the thesis)

4. Introductory Paragraph
First sentence = The Attention Getter.
A sentence that serves two purposes:
Grab the attention of your audience
Give your audience a clue about what your paper is on
Make me (your audience) want to read your paper first!

5. Introductory Paragraph
Example attention getters:
An interesting fact
A quote
An anecdote (a short story)
A statistic
A shocking statement

6. Introductory Paragraph
Thesis Statements have two functions:
To preview the topic being discussed
To make a claim about that topic.
A thesis must make a claim that is arguable; therefore, it cannot be a fact. If someone cannot disagree, then it is not a thesis.

7. Example
If this is your assignment:
Choose a character from a work of literature who can be defined as an epic hero and explain how he/she fits this definition. Give at least three examples for support.

8. This is your thesis! In the movie Shrek, Shrek is an epic hero.
Example: Thesis
To create your thesis, rework the question:
In the movie Shrek, Shrek is an epic hero.
This is your thesis!

9. Introductory Paragraph
Statement of Order: indirectly informs readers what they will find in each of your body paragraphs. It is usually attached at the end of the thesis statement.
In our example assignment, we are asked to give three examples of support for our thesis. These three examples are our statement of order!

10. Example: Statement of order
What does Shrek do that all epic heroes do?
1. He goes on a quest
2. He fights monsters
3. He never loses his humanity

11. Example: Statement of Order
Epic heroes come in all shapes, sizes and colors. In the movie Shrek, the lead character fits the definition of an epic hero. Shrek goes on a quest and fights dangerous monsters. Throughout the entire story, he never loses his humanity.