1. Warm-up: What is the purpose of an introduction?
Introductions
Warm-up: What is the purpose of an introduction?

2. What is the Purpose of an Introduction?
Introduce your topic!
Create interest!
Provide necessary background knowledge!
Thesis!
Identify your main idea
Preview the rest of your essay

3. What do I need in my Introduction?
A Hook or Attention Grabber
A connection between your hook and your topic
Any necessary background information about the topic that your reader will need
A claim/thesis

4. Types of Hooks An intriguing example A provocative quotation
A puzzling scenario
A thought-provoking question
A vivid or unexpected anecdote
That first sentence must capture your reader’s attention!

5. Sample Topic 1
Prompt: What is the best carbohydrate to have for breakfast?
Options: Toast, pancakes, biscuits, waffles, muffins, bagels
I’m going to choose waffles for my example.
What type of hook would best fit the topic?

6. Sample Topic 1 I’m going to choose an anecdote –
“It’s 6am and I need to be at work in thirty minutes. There clearly isn’t time to make a full-blown breakfast. So, I grab some waffles and drop them in the toaster. A few minutes later, the toaster pops. I cover the waffles in butter and wrap them in a paper towel. Then, I make my way to the door while munching on two warm, delicious, buttery treats.”

7. Connecting your Hook to your Topic
Once you’ve captured your reader’s attention, you need to draw them into your topic.
This is where it’s important to remember the purpose of your writing. What did the prompt direct you to consider, explain, or argue?
My sample topic asked about the best carbohydrate for breakfast. I chose waffles. I began with an anecdote to grab attention. Now, I need to move into discussing the topic and how waffles connects.
“While there may be several options when selecting a breakfast carbohydrate, waffles stand out as a strong contender for the best.”

8. Providing necessary background information
You’ve grabbed your reader’s attention with a creative hook, and you’ve working that into your topic. Now, you need to consider what your reader needs to know in order to understand the rest of your essay.
Ask yourself, “what background information is necessary in order to reach my audience?”
Consider the idea of writing an essay on Donald Trump’s candidacy for President of the United States. Perhaps the purpose of your essay is to prove whether or not he’s a suitable candidate for that position. Before you even branch into policies or temperament, what information about Mr. Trump might your reader need?
Who is he?
What is he known for?
What relationship does he have with politics?
You need to assume that your reader has no idea what you’re talking about, and provide the necessary information for them.

9. Sample Topic 1 I’ve already written an anecdote as my hook.
I’ve connected my hook to the topic by incorporating the purpose of my essay.
Now, I need to consider what my reader needs to know about waffles!
“Waffles are a breakfast carb, and quite similar to pancakes. Unlike pancakes, however, waffles are more rigid which makes them easier to transport and eat without utensils. Waffles are named after their unique appearance, or the geometrically arranged series of indentations that are perfect for capturing syrup and butter.”

10. Writing a Claim or Thesis (they really are the same thing!)
The Claim/Thesis, when written correctly, identifies your main idea and previews the rest of your essay.
Your “main idea” is your position on the topic.
You preview the rest of your essay by telling how you plan to address your position.
For example:
Waffles are superior to all other breakfast carbohydrates because of their quick preparation, their ability to hold condiments, and their ease of transportation.
Waffles – topic
Superior to all other – main idea or position
Texture, ability, ease – previewing the rest of my essay, or how I plan to prove my position

11. Sample Topic 1 – Putting it all together!
It’s 6am and I need to be at work in thirty minutes. There clearly isn’t time to make a full-blown breakfast. So, I grab some waffles and drop them in the toaster. A few minutes later, the toaster pops. I cover the waffles in butter and wrap them in a paper towel. Then, I make my way to the door while munching on two warm, delicious, buttery treats. While there may be several options when selecting a breakfast carbohydrate, waffles stand out as a strong contender for the best choice. Waffles are a breakfast carb quite similar to pancakes. Unlike pancakes, however, waffles are more rigid which makes them easier to transport and eat without utensils. Waffles are named after their unique appearance, or the geometrically arranged series of indentations that are perfect for capturing syrup and butter. Waffles are superior to all other breakfast carbohydrates because of their quick preparation, their ability to hold condiments, and their ease of transportation.

12. Sample Topic 2
What is one important goal you would like to achieve in the next few years? In your essay, identify that one goal and explain how you plan to achieve it. Use your personal observations, experience, and knowledge to support your essay.

13. Sample Topic 2 Response
Making goals for myself and working toward them keeps me on my toes and makes my life interesting. There are many goals that I would like to achieve throughout my life. I have begun working toward many of them by going back into school and thinking about what I’d like to do for a career. One major goal I would like to accomplish in the next few years is getting a better job. My plan to get a better job is to finish school, prepare a resume, and then search for jobs.

14. Sample Topic 2 Response
Making goals for myself and working toward them keeps my on my toes and makes my life interesting. There are many goals that I would like to achieve throughout my life.
What are the first two sentences doing?
These first two sentences introduce the topic and create interest.

15. Sample Topic 2 Response
I have begun working toward many of them by going back into school and thinking about what I’d like to do for a career.
What does the third sentence provide?
The third sentence provides some background information.

16. Sample Topic 2 Response
One major goal I would like to accomplish in the next few years is getting a better job. My plan to get a better job is to finish school, prepare a resume, and then search for jobs.
What are these last two sentences telling the reader?
The last two sentences identify the main idea and preview the rest of the essay.

17. Practice! Sample Topic 1: Sample Topic 2:
What is the best carbohydrate to have for breakfast?
Sample Topic 2:
What is one important goal you would like to achieve in the next few years? In your essay, identify that one goal and explain how you plan to achieve it. Use your personal observations, experience, and knowledge to support your essay.
Choose whichever topic you want, and write a well-developed introductory paragraph that contains all the components outlined during the lecture:
Hook (quote, anecdote, question, scenario, example/fact/statistic)
Connection between the hook and the topic
Necessary background information (what does my reader need to know?)
Claim/thesis (main idea and preview of your essay)
Your paragraph needs to contain 5 or more complete sentences.