Introductory Paragraph
Three Different Ways You Might Consider Introducing Your Thesis
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Notes:
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1) Broad to Narrow
With this type of introduction, you start by discussing the topic, and then you narrow it down to your specific claim about the topic.
Example 1:
Because work and school are sometimes physically and almost always mentally taxing, many families need to take vacations at some point in the year. Vacations offer them the chances to get away from their busy lives and rejuvenate themselves. However, in order to get the most out of a vacation, families must choose the right place to go. I believe Myrtle Beach is the best vacation spot because it offers nice beaches, wonderful restaurants and exciting entertainment options.
Example 2:
Part of being human seems to be the act of inventing. We've invented many different ways to make our lives easier and our tasks quicker. The automobile allows us to easily get from one place to another, and the microwave gives us the ability to heat our food seconds rather than minutes. However, not all inventions have aided humanity. The computer is probably the worst human invention because it has made us lazy, introduced our children to materials that they shouldn't be viewing, and created a society where we have lost the ability to talk to one another.
2) Personal Narrative
With this type of introduction, you tell a story that helps your readers understand why you are about to argue what you intend to argue in the paper.
Example 1:
Over the years, my family has taken many vacations together. Some have been better than others, though. The worst experience we ever had was a camping trip to the mountains, where we suffered for an entire week as we fought off mosquitoes, black bears and boredom. Another year we traveled to Columbia, the state’s capital, which might be exciting for adults, but the tours of the capital building and the historical monuments were not at all interesting to me as a ten year old. However, the best vacation we ever took was to Myrtle Beach. The nice beaches, wonderful restaurants and exciting entertainment options make this the best vacation spot in South Carolina.
Example 2:
Two Christmases ago, I was given my first laptop computer. At the time, I thought this was the greatest gift I'd ever received. After all, all my friends had one, and I was certain that I was missing out on a world of fun and a wealth of education. In the days that followed Christmas, I could be found at all hours of the day in front of my computer. I was constantly sending emails, surfing the web and playing games. However, by June, I had started to question the value of my gift because I noted I I acquired some really bad habits. I rarely talked to my family like I used to, and I almost never went outside because I couldn't see the screen in bright sunlight. I didn't really like the new me, and I eventually sold my computer to my best friend. My experience has led me to believe that computers are probably the worst human invention because they have made us lazy, introduced our children to materials that they shouldn't be viewing, and created a society where we have lost the ability to talk to one another.
3) Contrary Opinions
With this type of introduction, you let your readers know what others believe (or what many people might believe if asked), and then you show how your opinion differs from those peoples' opinions.
Example 1:
For their summer vacations, some families in South Carolina prefer to travel to the mountains, where they can look at wildlife and spend time relaxing in the woods. Others prefer the history of the state capital, where they can look at monuments and tour the statehouse. While these might be acceptable places to vacation, I believe the best option for South Carolina families is Myrtle Beach because it offers nice beaches, wonderful restaurants and exciting entertainment options.
Example 2:
If asked, many Americans would probably say that they couldn't do without their computers. They use them for online banking, shopping and communication. Others might even go so far as to claim that computers are the best invention ever created. However, I completely disagree with the common sentiments about computers. In fact, I believe the computer is probably the worst human invention ever because it has made us lazy, introduced our children to materials that they shouldn't be viewing, and created a society where we have lost the ability to talk to one another.
With this type of introduction, you start by discussing the topic, and then you narrow it down to your specific claim about the topic.
Example 1:
Because work and school are sometimes physically and almost always mentally taxing, many families need to take vacations at some point in the year. Vacations offer them the chances to get away from their busy lives and rejuvenate themselves. However, in order to get the most out of a vacation, families must choose the right place to go. I believe Myrtle Beach is the best vacation spot because it offers nice beaches, wonderful restaurants and exciting entertainment options.
Example 2:
Part of being human seems to be the act of inventing. We've invented many different ways to make our lives easier and our tasks quicker. The automobile allows us to easily get from one place to another, and the microwave gives us the ability to heat our food seconds rather than minutes. However, not all inventions have aided humanity. The computer is probably the worst human invention because it has made us lazy, introduced our children to materials that they shouldn't be viewing, and created a society where we have lost the ability to talk to one another.
2) Personal Narrative
With this type of introduction, you tell a story that helps your readers understand why you are about to argue what you intend to argue in the paper.
Example 1:
Over the years, my family has taken many vacations together. Some have been better than others, though. The worst experience we ever had was a camping trip to the mountains, where we suffered for an entire week as we fought off mosquitoes, black bears and boredom. Another year we traveled to Columbia, the state’s capital, which might be exciting for adults, but the tours of the capital building and the historical monuments were not at all interesting to me as a ten year old. However, the best vacation we ever took was to Myrtle Beach. The nice beaches, wonderful restaurants and exciting entertainment options make this the best vacation spot in South Carolina.
Example 2:
Two Christmases ago, I was given my first laptop computer. At the time, I thought this was the greatest gift I'd ever received. After all, all my friends had one, and I was certain that I was missing out on a world of fun and a wealth of education. In the days that followed Christmas, I could be found at all hours of the day in front of my computer. I was constantly sending emails, surfing the web and playing games. However, by June, I had started to question the value of my gift because I noted I I acquired some really bad habits. I rarely talked to my family like I used to, and I almost never went outside because I couldn't see the screen in bright sunlight. I didn't really like the new me, and I eventually sold my computer to my best friend. My experience has led me to believe that computers are probably the worst human invention because they have made us lazy, introduced our children to materials that they shouldn't be viewing, and created a society where we have lost the ability to talk to one another.
3) Contrary Opinions
With this type of introduction, you let your readers know what others believe (or what many people might believe if asked), and then you show how your opinion differs from those peoples' opinions.
Example 1:
For their summer vacations, some families in South Carolina prefer to travel to the mountains, where they can look at wildlife and spend time relaxing in the woods. Others prefer the history of the state capital, where they can look at monuments and tour the statehouse. While these might be acceptable places to vacation, I believe the best option for South Carolina families is Myrtle Beach because it offers nice beaches, wonderful restaurants and exciting entertainment options.
Example 2:
If asked, many Americans would probably say that they couldn't do without their computers. They use them for online banking, shopping and communication. Others might even go so far as to claim that computers are the best invention ever created. However, I completely disagree with the common sentiments about computers. In fact, I believe the computer is probably the worst human invention ever because it has made us lazy, introduced our children to materials that they shouldn't be viewing, and created a society where we have lost the ability to talk to one another.