Introduction and Attention Grabbing Leads

Purpose: Immediately hook your reader and

get your reader’s attention.Give your reader some background

information on your topic Frames your thesis.

ABT: Pieces to a Knockout Introduction Paragraph

1) Attention Grabbing lead:

2) Bridge Bridge between the attention grabbing

lead to the thesis. (Links/transitions the lead to the thesis statement.)

3) Thesis Statement: Main argument of your essay: 3 specific

reasons, 1 sentence

A: Attention Grabbing Leads

Paint the Picture – Set up a scene or story in just a few sentences to connect with the reader, explain your point, and add interest.

Statistic or Shocking Fact – Add facts and statistics to surprise and invoke curiosity, confusion, frustration, or any other feelings which make the audience want to read more.

Paint the Picture:

Paint a picture– vivid details create a vision for the reader to imagine. Give a brief example to create situations of empathy/sympathy.

Relevant - (relates to the topic). Specific details - (the more specific

details are, the more engaging the hook).

Paint the Picture Examples

Top quality example: The internet is an easy and accessible place

for bullying among teens, with aggressive messaging and a lack of consequences for negative communication. One nasty posting can quickly be shared with hundreds of others, creating a ripple/domino effect. The underlying negative message gets magnified, often with damaging results.

Poor quality example: Facebook bullying is bad and gets out of control.

Paint the Picture HONOR Examples

Top quality example: The internet realm is a fertile breeding ground

forbullying among teens, with aggressive

messagingand a lack of consequences for hostile

communication.One nasty posting can quickly be shared withhundreds of others, creating a ripple effect

whichmagnifies the underlying negative message,

oftenwith damaging effects.

Poor quality example: Facebook bullying is bad and gets out of control.

Statistic or Shocking Fact:

Shocking facts and statistics are used to surprise and invoke curiosity, frustration, or any other feelings which make the audience want to read more. The fact/ statistic is true (believable). The source of the fact is given or

credibility is established. This is done by providing credentials.

Examples of Statistics or Shocking Facts:

Top Quality Example:According to National Geographic,

“Over 1.5 billion people do not have access to clean, safe water.”

Poor Quality Example:85% of the families who have dirty

drinking water in New Haven say they don’t like it.

B: Build the Bridge!

Sentence which smoothes the way between your attention-grabbing lead and the thesis.

(= transition sentence!!!)

AG Lead + + Thesis= INTRO

Standard Intro Example

A: The internet is an easy and accessible place for bullying among teens, with aggressive messaging and a lack of consequences for negative communication. One nasty posting can quickly be shared with hundreds of others, creating a ripple effect which magnifies the underlying negative message, often with damaging effects.

B: Across America, much attention isbeing focused on how to solve the problem ofonline bullying. T: Schools should create a formal disciplineplan for online bullying because it wouldclearly define unacceptable behavior, ensurestudents’ safety online, and build a strongersense of student community.

A: The internet realm is a fertile breeding ground for bullying among teens, with aggressive messaging and a lack of consequences for hostile communication. One nasty posting can quickly be shared with hundreds of others, creating a ripple effect which magnifies the underlying negative message, often with damaging effects.

B: Across America, much attention isbeing focused on how to solve the

problem ofonline bullying.

T: Schools should create a formal disciplineplan for online bullying because it wouldclearly define unacceptable behavior,

ensurestudents’ safety online, and build a

strongersense of student community. (honors)

A: According to National Geographic, “Over 1.5 billion people do not have access to clean, safe water.”

B: Many people suffer from illnesses associated with dirty drinking water, and so it is important that corrective steps be taken to provide relief.

T: America should invest in helping provide clean drinking water to developing nations because technological advances have lessened cost, it brings political stability, and prevents avoidable death and suffering for millions.