1. How to Write an Amazing, Fantastic, Spectacular, Outstanding, Creative, Stupendous, Effective Introduction. W.11-12-2a and e Students will introduce a topic effectively and establish and maintain a formal style and tone.

2. Today we are going to learn how to… …create an effective introduction using an appropriate method AND establish and maintain a formal and objective tone.

3. Ways to begin a paper… …methods people use to begin a research paper. Quote Anecdote Summary Surprising statement What do we call that first sentence of your article? A hook…or lead

4. First…a time to refresh… An introduction is… A critical time to capture your readers attention and to let them know what the topic of your paper is. An introduction holds three purposes: 1.Catch the audiences attention…hook em in!! 2.Set the tone 3.Present the thesis

5. Hook em in!!! The first sentence of your introduction should capture the readers attention. Would you continue reading if you were sawin logs after the first few sentences of a piece?? I dont think so. Would you want to know more about this piece? Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard. In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nations first female Speaker of the House, one womans voice rang out clear. Why?

6. Would you want to know more about this piece? Yesterday morning I watched as my older sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped onto the bus … Why?

7. Would you want to know more about this piece? The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary. Why?

8. Dont take that tone with me!!! What is tone?? Tone is the feeling or atmosphere the author meant to set. What is going to be the tone of your research paper? Your tone should be FORMAL. DO NOT use contractions, and stay in third person.

9. After you have gotten their attention… You must focus on your tone AND your thesis statement. For you math people out there…an easy way to remember creating your thesis. Limited topic + Main Idea about the topic = Thesis statement For example: teen part-time job market + how to improve your chances of finding a job = thesis statement Your entire composition, or paper, will support the ideas in your thesis statement.

10. Student Example The Seven Wonders of the World includes structures like the Coliseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Stonehenge, Pyramids or Giza, and so many more. People pay a lot of money to visit these places, but does anybody every wonder what they actually are, how they were built, or who made them? Architecture is the art of and science of designing and constructing buildings. It is a complex task for architects to design buildings that are functional, safe, economical, and suit the needs of people who use them. Architecture is a competitive, demanding, and difficult job that requires a higher degree of education. Does this introduction have an effective hook? Thesis? Appropriate tone?

11. Lets play a game!!! Yee!!! You are going to create an analogy. What is an analogy, you may ask? An analogy is a comparison of certain similarities between things which are otherwise unlike. On your sheet of paper, fill in the blanks. __________are to __________ as thesis statements are to compositions. Then, explain how your analogy relates to the creation of thesis statements.

12. Steer Clear…of bad thesis statements!!!! Avoid the following kinds of thesis statements: An obvious statement Basketball is a game played by two teams of five players each. A blanket thesis statement No matter what country they call home, all people desire material wealth.

13. Lets Analyze!! On your sheet of paper, decide if the thesis statement is effective. If it is not, tell us what would make it more effective. 1.Mexican Americans have made many important contributions to literature and music in the United States. 2.The study of volcanoes, whether on land or in the sea, has led to important knowledge about the inner workings of our planet. 3.The Internet, as well as other exciting new technology, has made it possible for millions of Americans to work at home. 4.Parks are important to city-dwellers. 5. Across the country, grass-roots campaigns are working to remind citizens of their responsibility to vote.

14. Now, you should know everything there is to know about introductions. Heres the game plan for the remainder of the block: 1.Analyze introductions using the handout. 2.Create your introduction, including your thesis, for your feature article. 3.Be ready and willing to receive constructive criticism from your teacher and classmates.