Use Figurative Language

Narrate a Personal
Experience
State Your Opinion

Hooking the Reader

Use a Definition

Ask a Question
????????

Make a Bold
Or Challenging
Statement

Use a Quote
From a
Famous
Person

Make your writing

a page turner!
The lead (beginning or introduction)
establishes the direction your writing will
take. A good lead grabs your reader's
attention and refuses to let go. In other
words, it hooks the reader.

Hooking a reader when you are writing an essay

is just as important as a movie trailer is to the
success of the movie.You want to give a little
bit of the content, but you really want them to
buy the ticket. This presentation will
introduce you to some types of introductions so
that you can use them as your own when you
write.

REMEMBER THE
RULE OF 3!
Your introduction should have at least 3 concise and clear
sentences.

You should accomplish 3 things with your introduction:

Get the readers attention

Present your topic and purpose
Connect with your audience

WHAT IF I
COULD OFFER
EACH OF YOU
$500,000?

NO, you will not

have to do
anything illegal!!!

So, would
you like to
know how
to get it?

GRADUATE FROM HIGH

SCHOOL!!!!
Studies show that people who graduate from
high school will earn at least $500,000 more in
their lifetime than people who do not.

Staying in school will determine whether or

not you get the $500,000.

Well, did I get your attention?

This is an example of one way to hook your
reader in the introduction: asking a
question.
You can ask a rhetorical question that draws
the reader into wanting to read further to
discover the answer to the question.
Ask an interesting question that you will
answer in your essay.

Use Questions to Hook Your

Reader!

Lets Take a Closer

Look at Some Examples

Acne, baldness, sterility. Sound

attractive, fellas? Or ladies, how
about a deep voice, facial hair, and
kidney damage? All of these
appealing attributes, along with
many others, are side effects of
using steroids, yet people continue
to use them!"

Have you ever wondered how you would

survive if you found yourself alone in the
jungle? How would you defend yourself
against predators? What would you eat?
Where would you find water? Read Lord
of the Flies to see just how a group of
teenagers manage to survive!
Evaluative Writing

Dear Rodney,
Lamont? Come in Lamont. Lamont,
are you there? Over. Rodney, I am just
practicing for the Airforce. You will be
dying to join after reading The U.S.
Airforce! Learn all about it.
Evaluative Writing

Practice Time!
Writing an effective question to begin your
introduction can help you organize your essay,
because you have to be able to answer the
question in a comprehensive manner.
For example:
Read the following list of questions requiring
students to turn off their cell phones in class or
requiring them to turn them into the teacher
during the class period to avoid texting and
making or receiving calls.

Individually jot down an answer to

the following questions.
Do you hate people answering the phone while
they are in a conversation with you?
What will happen if a student has an
emergency and cant call their parents
immediately?
Who benefits from making students turn off or
turn in their cell phones during class?
How could turning off cell phones in class or
asking students to turn them in, benefit
parents, teachers, students?

Discuss!
1. Take a moment to share your responses to each question.
2. Which question(s) bring out the most information and
cause for discussion?
3. Which question(s) bring out the least information?
4. How were some questions more interesting than others?
5. How did some questions bring out a strong reaction in you
rather than a statement might have? Explain why.
6. In your opinion, what question is most effective and why?

Sample Questions to AVOID!

AVOID meaningless questions that dont ask

the reader to think critically; a question you
dont expect the reader to answer.
Examples of Meaningless Questions
Do you hate people talking on cell phones
while they are at the store? I do.
Do you have a favorite phone app? Well I
do.
Have you ever wondered why people believe
in restricting cell phone use in school? Well,
Ill tell you.

Another technique that

writers use to engage the
writer is to share a personal
experience in the introduction.
Lets Look at Some Examples

Use a Personal
Experience
I walked into the cold, white room on
April 23, 1992. The beeping of the
machines echoed immensely in my
head and I knew that noise would haunt
me for the rest of my life. I walked in
further to join my family that stood
beside the bed. I hung my head in grief
and through tears got one last look.

I bent over and gently whispered,

"Good-bye Grandma, I love you." It
was then the nurse made the machines
make a more painful sound; the sound
of silence.
This is the act of euthanasia which is
the hardest decision for a family to
make when the choice is suffering in
life or inflicting immediate death.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6 It was my first basketball game

and I had the ball with the clock ticking away. I
was standing on top of the world. However, to
get to that point, I had to go through pre-game
jitters, the embarrassing shot, and the opponents
hard stares. Yes, it takes determination to succeed.

Two Effective Techniques

-Questions
-Narrate a personal experience
In the steroid
introduction, the
writer involves
the reader in his
or her topic
before it is even
introduced using
questions.

In the euthanasia
introduction, the
writer is so pulled
in by the details
of the story that
the reader already
trusts the writer as
a person.

Its your turn to practice!

For the following prompt, write an
introduction using either a question
or a personal experience.

REMEMBER THE
RULE OF 3!
Write 3 clear sentences
Get the readers attention
Present your topic and purpose
Connect with your audience

 The principal of your childrens school is

interested in creating greater diversity in the
parent teacher association. She wants more
parent involvement in the childrens
education.
She has created a task force consisting of
teachers and parents to address the issue, and
you have been chosen to serve on the task
force. She wants you to draw up a plan based
on your experience as an immigrant and
second language learner.
Write a letter to the school superintendent
and the president of the state PTA telling
how you think greater diversity in the PTA
can be achieved.

LETS SHARE OUR

INTRODUCTIONS

PART TWO:
Hooking the Reader

WHAT PHRASE
IS THIS GREAT
CIVIL RIGHTS
LEADER MOST
FAMOUS FOR?

I Have a Dream

OPEN WITH A
QUOTATION
Open with a quotation that is wellknown (but be sure to put quotation
marks around it).
You can also use a quotation from
someone that is not famous. It could
be from a song, movie, or one of your
own.

Examples of Famous Quotes

A penny saved is a penny earned.
Benjamin Franklin
All that glitters is not gold. Shakespeare

Student Example:
John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can
do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I think
today's Americans have forgotten Kennedy's message. We
expect our country to take care of us, but we are not taking
care of our country.

Brainstorm and create a class

list of well known quotes,
catchy phrases, and idioms to use
in writing.

Famous Quotes Continued

Collect as many quotes as possible
from your discussion.

Arrange your quotes thematically and

use examples in your next writing
assignment
Note: Refer to websites on famous
quotations

Use Figurative Language

to Hook Your Reader

Time flies when you are having fun!

Begin with a simile - Comparison using

like or as
Begin with a metaphor - Comparison
stating one thing is another thing

Begin with personification - Give non

living objects human characteristics

Example:
Mississippi is the red-headed step-child
of Hurricane Katrina. Why? The
loss of life and property in this gulf state
have almost been completely forgotten by
the rest of the country.

Additional Examples:
Tardies have overtaken our schools like cancer. (simile)
Tardies have become the pimple on our schools
otherwise clear complexion. (metaphor)
The bell screams for the students to return to class but his
calls are left unanswered. (personification)

Practice!
Tardies to class are disrupting instruction, leaving
unfinished class work to be completed at home.
Although rules and consequences were set at the
beginning of the year, students are still arriving late.
Write a letter to your principal in which you suggest
a solution to the problem of tardies to class.

Now, YOU write an introduction for this

prompt using a quote or
figurative language.

REMEMBER THE
RULE OF 3!
Write 3 clear sentences
Get the readers attention
Present your topic and purpose
Connect with your audience

Lets Review:

Ask a Question
Share a Personal Experience
Open with a quotation
Use figurative language

PART THREE:
Hooking the Reader

Make a Bold Statement

The introductions in this section will deal

with speaking your mind, making a bold
statement to emphasize your position.

A bold and challenging statement is similar to an

announcement, but is meant to cause some people to
disagree with what you say. It's like one side of an
argument. It can be an opinion, but don't immediately
state that it is your opinion.
Example:
Using horses and cattle in the sport of rodeo is animal
abuse. What makes it more aggravating is that it is legal.
According to the law, there is nothing wrong with
chasing an animal down, tightening a rope around its
neck, knocking it to the ground, and tying its legs
together so it cannot move.

MAKE A BOLD STATEMENT

Making a bold or strong
statement can get the
readers attention.
Making a bold
statement also sets the
tone for your essay and
establishes you as
someone who has clear
and concise thoughts.

"It's time we faced the facts of the matter.

They have been gassed, poisoned, starved
and sterilized. Yet, they still thrive today in
vast numbers and are multiplying at
alarming rates. If we do not fight back, they
could take over the world! I deeply regret to
inform you the Orkin man did not
accomplish his mission. I'm talking about
cockroaches!"

Open with a Definition

Open with a definition of the term you are discussing and writing about.
It can be your own or come from a dictionary, textbook, or other source.
Example: According to Webster's Dictionary, government is defined as
the authority that serves the people and acts on their behalf. How
can the government know what the people want if the people do not
vote? If we do not vote, the government may act on its own behalf
instead of on the behalf of the people.

Give Your Opinion

Come on, you guys do this all the time,
right? So, instead of dancing around
the topic, tell the reader what you think
about it in the introduction.
Example

There is no question cell phones

should be allowed on campus.

As you can see,

hooking the reader
is the key to success in
writing!

BUT.
Dont forget the following tips

Tip #1
Do NOT use the following phrases:
In this essay
I am going to tell you about
I will write about
The first reason is
The second reason is

Tip #2
Dont bump into trees along the way

Tip #3
Do NOT use the following phrases:
In this essay
I am going to tell you about
I will write about
The first reason is
The second reason is

Tip #4 - Know Your Strengths

Tip #5
Do NOT use the following phrases:
In this essay
I am going to tell you about
I will write about
The first reason is
The second reason is

Tip #6 Always Remember!

Hooking the Viewer = Hooking the Reader!

DONT FORGET!
Do NOT use the following phrases:
In this essay
I am going to tell you about
I will write about
The first reason is
The second reason is

Take out all of your

notes on
introductions
For the following writing prompts:
Write three different introductions.
Remember the rule of 3!
Gain the readers attention
Present your topic and purpose
Connect with your audience

AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY,

REMEMBER THE THINGS TO
AVOID!

Sample Writing Topics

Compose a letter to a friend recommending that he or she
reads your favorite book or movie. (evaluation)
Think of one way someone can help make a difference in
conserving energy. The person may be a parent, friend, school
official, city, state or base official. Write a letter to a person
who can help solve a problem. Carefully describe the problem
and your proposed solution. (problem solution)

Sample Writing Topics

Recently, your English teacher, Social Studies teacher, and
Science teacher have all assigned major reports or projects due at
the same time. Each of these major assignments are required
and you want to do a good job on each one, but you cannot do
them all as scheduled.
Write a letter to your teachers or the principal, explaining the
problem this situation presents for students and suggest ways
the problem can be solved. Your suggested solution should be
very specific, so that the readers of your letter will be able to see
clearly how you think the problem can solved and how this
solution would keep the problem from arising again.
(problem solution)

10th Grade Prompts

Read the following quotations about integrity, which is the firm adherence to a
code of special moral or artistic values.
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against
yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth
and love.
Live like you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.
Havin'g integrity. . . means being completely true to what is inside you-to what you
know is right. . . what you feel you must do, regardless of the immediate cost of
sacrifice. . . to be honorable and to behave decently. .
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is
dangerous and dreadful.

(Definition)

Writing Directions
Write a speech for your high school graduating class on the
meaning of integrity. You may use the ideas presented above,
your own experiences, observations, and/or readings.
As you write your speech remember to:
Focus on the meaning of integrity.
Consider the audience, purpose, and context of your
speech.
Organize the ideas and details effectively.
Include specific examples that clearly develop your speech.
Edit your speech for standard grammar, spelling, and
punctuation.

10 Grade Writing Prompt

Write an article for your school newspaper
about the meaning of individuality as it
relates to being a member of a group.
You may use the following information,
your own experiences, observations,
and/or readings.
(definition)

Writing Prompt Continued

If you dont know where you are going, any road
will get you there. Carroll Lewis
My great mistake, the fault for which I cant forgive
myself, is that one day I ceased pursuit of my own
individuality. Oscar Wilde
An individual's treatment and alternatives in life may
depend as much on the reputation of the group to
which that person belongs as on his or her own merit.
Catharine MacKinnon