Although this lesson is formulaic, it provides students with the necessary structure to correctly write an introductory paragraph. Many people feel that the introductory paragraph of an essay, also known as the introduction, is the most important paragraph of all. Worksheet writing introduction paragraph biglearners. For academic essays and papers, there is an introduction, body, and conclusion. The entirety of your paper hangs on that sentence, which is generally the last sentence of your introductory paragraph and is. Writing introduction paragraphs in writing section. Your topic can have some evidence or examples to support it, but these should all be related to each other. Grant morley a guide for writing introduction paragraphs. C2 education provides college application essay writing workshops that not only help students hone their writing skills, but also help guide them through the college application process.
The context guides our discussion of our topic by situating us within a particular text, historical time, or theoretical frame. How to write an introductory paragraph in elementary school. The background to the topic context which tells the reader, in general terms. But whether you start or end your writing process with it, here are a few methods that can help you to write an interesting introduction and get you a higher grade on every essay you write. When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion.
Romeo and juliet is a classic shakespearean tragedy in this sense. We take pride in the quality papers we write in a wide variety of disciplines and for a huge diversity of customers. Using this writing an introduction paragraph worksheet, your students will write down their topic in the box provided. By providing an appropriate context and an effective thesis sentence, the introduction allows the writer. Five paragraph essay requirements for fifth grade introduction the introduction paragraph has three parts that must appear in the paragraph 1. The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph. I always begin teaching students how to write an introduction paragraph by asking students to define their view. Teachers can use this resource with oneonone meetings to help students improve their writing. Start by drafting an outline to help you stay on track.
Breaks between paragraphs function as a short break for your readersadding these in will help your writing be more readable. Make sure each of your body paragraphs have the following parts. You should have at least five to seven sentences in your paragraph. The length of the introduction will vary depending on the type of research paper you are writing. Write a short introductory paragraph about each main idea 1 natural disasters, 2 ways of. Think of your favorite hobby or sport and why it is an important part of your life.
Armstrong atlantic state university writing center. Many students lack the structure to write research papers and providing them with a structure will strengthen their writing skills. This section will explain how to write cohesive, coherent and purposeful introductory paragraphs. How does the introductory paragraph for formal papers differ from expository or creative papers. Eventually, the goal is to allow more freedom in their writing. Make each paragraph short, typically fewer than 7 lines of text. Why is the introductory paragraph essential in effective writing. Many introductory paragraphs briefly describe the main points that will be made to explain the topic. Writing an effective introductory paragraph effective paragraphs are the building blocks of a wellcrafted essay. To locate, sort your district name and property tax or essau house files in a search engine. Teaching students how to write an introduction paragraph.
Writing a perfect paragraph general a paragraph is a series of sentences that are about one topic. Formal writing is a form of writing which maintains form and structure through the entirety of its content. Truthfully, however, there is nothing wrong with doing this. Choose one of the topics from the list to write an introductory paragraph of an. Introductory paragraphs contain four essential functions, and together these functions contribute to coherence at the idea level. Writing a good thesis statement is the subject of much instruction and training, as its the driver of your research and the subject of your paper. An introduction should announce your topic, provide context and a rationale for your work, before stating. The entirety of your paper hangs on that sentence, which is generally the last sentence of your introductory paragraph and is refined throughout your research and drafting phases. In an essay, it is best to express both sides, each in a separate paragraph, with an introduction of the topic and a conclusion of the summary of your opinion. Introduction remember to appeal to your intended audience and use sound reasoning. I am going to start by writing an introduction to hook the reader. Writing a staar expository essay step by step of how to use the expository essay. Elementary school to write a good essay, you need to grab your readers attention with a strong introductory paragraph.
Intro paragraph worksheets long branch public schools. A paragraph begins on a new line and ends with a return to a new line to. The introductory paragraph states the essays topic in very specific terms. Starting your paper off with an introductory paragraph is the conventional way of academic writing. Writing an introduction an introduction should capture the readers attention and direct the readers attention toward the topic. It should start generally and end specifically by presenting the thesis statement to end the paragraph. Including a thesis statement at the end of your introduction will help you practice clear essay organization. Honestly, getting students started with their essay is the hardest part. Writing a paragraph, it is better to adopt one opinion as you do not have time or space to discuss both sides. Developing introduction paragraphs tlccollege of the canyons. You can engage your readers right from the start through a number of tried and true ways. W hat can a writer do that will secure the interest of a fair sized audience.
Writing center writing introductions thesis statement the thesis statement ought to appear at the conclusion of the introductory paragraph and reveal the main idea of the essay. In college writing, many professors will require that an introductory paragraph include a thesis statement, or a sentence or sentences that reveal the essays. It clearly introduces the point that will be argued in the body of the essay. Its purpose is to be so inviting that the reader will not want to stop reading. The middle rectangle holds the writers thesis statement also. We are going to make it easy and straight forward so you can dedicate your time and energy to your body paragraphs, because they are the most important. Essay on fairy in english quick essay on worth of english, 5 paragraph essay introduction sentences, essay dr a p j abdul kalam, drinking water pollution essay video. You start with an introduction paragraph, then 3 examples for the body paragraphs, and then finally a conclusion. Writing concluding sentences can be optional because if you find that your entire paragraph can do without one, it is definitely all right to end your paragraph without a concluding statement. Writing a killer paragraph this module will take you through the process of scaffolding and writing a cohesive paragraph that fits within the broader context of your article.
In college writing, many professors will require that an introductory paragraph include a thesis statement, or a sentence or sentences that reveal the essays central idea. Certainly, it lets the reader know what to expect in terms of tone, style, purpose and theme. An introduction has two main purposes to catch the readers interest and to. Ideas for starting an introduction startling statement make a statement that catches the readers attention. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex. Introductory paragraphs many people feel that the introductory paragraph of an essay, also known as the introduction, is the most important paragraph of all. Opening sentence hook use a decoration write an opening sentence for your essay. The introduction will push into or initiate the examination of your topic and the angle you. This lesson plan addresses this question and summarizes the process of writing an introductory paragraph. Gould and evan jay gould, teaching and learning company, carthage, il 2 this basic 3sentence introductory paragraph, although adequate for a very young, a beginning, a limited. The opening paragraph of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work. The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of an essay. It should create interest in the essay, outline the writers main ideas, and suggest how these ideas will be presented within the body of the essay. The introduction to a research paper can be the most challenging part of the paper to write.
W ith that out of the way, the question then becomes. Intro paragraphs web writing center armstrong university. We sometimes use an inverted triangle to represent the intro. This paragraph is essential for clear and organized writing. Its your essays first impressionand you only get to make a first impression once.
The sentences present information that supports the main point. Many writers fear the consequences of writing an introduction after having written their body paragraphs. My students are writing a pairedtext literary analysis essay in which they use evidence to show how a theme statement is shared by and supported in both lois lowrys the giver and in a poem of their choice. A paragraph is made of a few sentences that talk about one single topic. Writing an introduction paragraph worksheet have fun teaching. You may find yourself coming back and rewriting the hook sentence of your essay after youve finished the essay as you think of more ideas. The introductory paragraph of an essay serves the purpose of drawing a reader into the substance of the argument that follows. How to write a film essay introduction paragraph state the title and director of the film. Introductory paragraphs many people feel that the introductory. How to write an introductory paragraph in elementary school by susan. It follows the common introductionbodyconclusion format of most literature. This skill is imperative to scholarly writing because weak paragraphs will make for a weak, unpublishable paper. Intro paragraph hook context thesis body paragraph repeat as needed topic sentence concrete detail analysis transition sentence conclusion summary significance.
An introduction or introductory paragraph is the first paragraph in any multiparagraph essay. Writing an introductory paragraph for an expository essay writing the introduction everyone loves to do the things that they do well, and this love usually applies to hobbies and sports. Think of the introduction and conclusion as bookends that serve to hold the essay tightly together. For example, in narrative writing, it is often acceptable to start with the first event in your story, instead of providing background information. What if i still have questions about introductory paragraphs. But, when writing informative or persuasive essays, it is important to provide an introductory paragraph that prepares the reader for what lies ahead. An introduction is typically the first paragraph of your paper.
If you start a new thought or topic, make a new paragraph. Writing introductions and conclusions for essays researchgate. An introduction or introductory paragraph is the first paragraph in any multi paragraph essay. The topic sentence answers one or more questions like why, how, or where. Academic writing follows a standard organizational pattern. The primary purpose of an introductory paragraph is to pique the interest of your reader and identify the topic and purpose of the essay. You can often interest your audience in a topic by including an. Writing an introduction now that i have a plan, im ready to begin writing. Paragraph layout introduction 2 to 3 sentences side 1 2. In clearlywritten sentences, the writer gives some background on the main topic.
We move from a broader topic to a specific context. Formal writing is used often for business, academic, and scientific correspondence and literature. Introduction basic steps in the essay writing process analysing the essay question notetaking systems essay plans the introduction the body an academic argument the conclusion the paragraph structuring your essay referencing editing the cat sat on the mat. In the introduction at the beginning of a paragraph which develops a new idea at the beginning of a paragraph which expands on a previous idea at the beginning of a paragraph which offers a contrasting viewpoint at the end of a paragraph to sum up an idea in the conclusion. Topic sentences a topic sentence expresses the main idea of the paragraph. Use words from the question to outline the topic of the essay. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. State the three points you will make in the main body paragraphs. In introduction, paragraphs are used to avoid such blunders while writing an academic paper. Introductions and conclusions are important components of any essay.
The introductory paragraph austin peay state university. It is a rule that you must make sure that the paragraph should always maintain and focus on a single idea. Writing introductory paragraph and thesis for frqs or dbqs the introductory paragraph and thesis statement sample question. To what extent did the civil war constitute a revolution in american society. Prime essay writing articles care and reddit health care. A guide for writing introduction paragraphs for academic. The other day when i was walking to school, i saw a street cleaner sit in the truck while his partner did all of the work.
Characters can be introduced in the topic sentence. The introductory paragraph should grab the audiences attention. You can follow a basic pattern recipe for writing introduction paragraphs to help you get started. I used your explanation of an effective introduction paragraph s organization in my 7th grade english class this week. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that announces the contents of the paragraph.
Do not forget that the last paragraph before the conclusion should be devoted to the opposing opinion and you need either to refute it or admit that it is true. Introduction paragraphs are usually about 5% of your essay word count. A paragraph is a group of sentences focusing on a main point. Although this will help you write the central report sections methodology and results of a research paper or thesis, it doesnt prepare you for writing an.
Jul 28, 2018 in this post, im sharing the methods i use to make writing an introduction paragraph for an argumentative essay more transparent and concrete. I used your explanation of an effective introduction paragraphs organization in my 7th grade english class this week. Gould and evan jay gould, teaching and learning company, carthage, il 2 this basic 3sentence introductory paragraph, although adequate for a very young, a beginning, a limited, or a struggling writer, is too predictable and formulaic for an edmond public schools satisfactory or advanced writer. Introductory paragraph there are many ways to write an introductory paragraph. One way to think about structuring your paragraphs is to use the p. The main parts of an introduction include the lead, the bridge, and the thesis claim. Hook strategies a good introductory paragraph is between 47 sentences in length, begins with a hook strategy quote, unusual factstatistic, thoughtful, relevant questions, or a personal story, and ends with a clear thesis.
Fifth grade lesson in writing introductory paragraph. Write a great first sentence and introductory paragraph. Use this handout to teach the basic steps in the writing process. Fourstep introductory paragraph format laura randazzo. Gould and evan jay gould, teaching and learning company, carthage, il 1 four square better introductory paragraph writing this is the basic four square set up. How will you connect this paragraph back to your thesis. Some instructors and courses require the student to use a 1 essay format.