Engl 045 (Les)
Part A 4.1
Writing an Interesting Introduction Paragraph
The first paragraph of your essay should introduce your reader to the main topic. This introduction serves to outline the general subject matter of your essay before transitioning to a more specific thesis statement, which presents the main argument or point of the essay. Think of the introduction as a roadmap that guides your reader through your ideas.
You should lead into your thesis and generate reader interest by starting your introduction paragraph with a hook sentence(s) that will grab the reader’s attention about your topic. A hook provides a way to get your reader interested in your topic from the very first sentence. You don’t want to jump directly into the point of your essay; instead, you should give your reader a chance to warm up to the topic by providing something interesting to get their attention.
Next, provide your reader with a bridge between the hook and thesis to help them make the connection between your hook sentence(s) and your thesis statement. The bridge is also a part of your introduction. On one side of the bridge are your hook sentence(s), and on the other is your thesis statement. It helps you span the gap between your attention-getting hook and your thesis statement by gradually leading your reader to the point of your essay by giving relevant information to generate interest in your topic.
Understand What Makes a Good Hook:
Before beginning, read about different types of hooks that can be used in introductory paragraphs. Choose one to try:
·
An explanation: Describe any background information your reader may need to understand your topic
·
A problem: Explain what the problem is and why it is a difficulty
·
A misconception: Clarify something that may be misunderstood about your topic
·
A vivid description: Paint a picture with words to set the scene for the essay.
·
An anecdote: Share a brief, personal, or fictional story to draw readers in.
AI Reminder:
Review the English department’s AI policy located in the syllabus and at the top of the Content area of Blackboard.
AI should not be used to write any part of this assignment — I want your own thoughts.
Instructions:
Follow these steps in an MLA-formatted Word document.
Step 1: Choose a Topic: This should be at the top of your document, like a title.
Select one of the following essay topics for your introduction paragraph:
· The importance of mental health awareness among college students
· The impact of procrastination on grades
· The role of social media in shaping public opinion
· The benefits of learning a second language
Step 2: Write Your Hook: Include the rough draft of your hook under your topic title.
Write a hook for your introduction paragraph. Make sure the hook aligns with the essay topic you’ve chosen and is designed to pique the interest of your audience.
It should be at least four (4) sentences long.
Step 3: Expand into an Introduction Paragraph: This will follow under the rough draft of your hook.
After crafting your hook, build your introduction paragraph around it. It should include:
· Your
hook and any
background information. Does the hook effectively engage readers?
· The
bridge connecting your hook to your thesis statement sets up the essay. Does the bridge clearly show the connection between your hook and the thesis?
· The
thesis statement should end your introduction with a clear and concise statement that outlines the main argument or purpose of the essay. Does the thesis statement clearly convey the essay’s purpose?
Revise your work for clarity, impact, and coherence.
Step 4: Self-Assessment: This should be documented under the draft of your introduction paragraph.
1. Having completed the writing process steps on your introduction paragraph, please self-evaluate your performance using the
Introduction Paragraph Grading Rubric attached below. Document your score and justify why you believe you should earn those points, including an explanation on why you chose the type of hook you did for your introduction paragraph.
Part B 4.3
Reflection Journal #4: Annotation and/or Writing an Introduction Paragraph
Reflection is an essential part of the learning process. It encourages us to become more self-aware about our knowledge or lack of it; it helps us remember what we have learned so we can make improvements. When we reflect, it allows us to see our growth and check our progress, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment. The journey through reflection helps to make evident what is needed to continue to grow and learn.
Assignment Focus:
When we reflect, the key is to analyze the experience by asking yourself why the experience went the way it did, what its impact was on you, and how you plan to use this new knowledge. Think about your experience with annotation and/or writing an introduction paragraph to better understand what you learned from those experiences.
Instructions:
In an
MLA-formatted Word document, write a single paragraph reflecting on your experience by answering the following questions in as much detail as possible.
1. Describe your experience with annotation
or
writing an introduction paragraph.
2. What are your feelings and thoughts on the experience?
3. Explain what went well and also what went wrong.
4. Why do you think those things went well? Why did the other things go wrong?
5. What did you learn from this experience? What would you do differently?
6. What is your plan for the next time you need to annotate and/or write an introduction paragraph?
