let’s get introduced!. you never get a second chance to make a first impression!
TRANSCRIPT
Let’s Get Introduced!
Younever get a
second chanceto make a
first impression!
The introductionof your essay is the most
important part!
The reader decides hereif your paper is worth
reading!
Let’s face it – we’ve all read essays like this:
Here’s some examplesof what you DON’Twant to do...
The “it” lead...“It was a beautiful day in Texas...”
The “question” lead...“Have you ever had something
difficult happen to you?”
The “definition” lead...“Webster’s defines thoughtful
as...”
Not another BORING
introduction!AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!
Never fear!Effective introductions are
here!
There are several waysto create an introduction
that immediately grabs yourreader and creates
connections.
Jump In!Jump into the middle
of your story and leave the reader
wanting more...
What do you think aboutthis one?
“Drunk driving is very dangerous. It can cause
accidents that kill or injure thousands of
people.”
Boring!
Let’s try this one:
“As Bob adjusts his radio, a tree appears out of
nowhere too late to turn the wheel!”Better!
Snapshot
Create a picturein the reader’s mind.
Let’s try this one:
“My worst memory was dinnertime.”Boring!
How about...
“The dinner table was bare except the stingy plates
of dry meatloaf and runny mashed potatoes. No one had an appetite—
especially me.”Better!
Ba-Da-Bing!
Start with introducingsomeone’s thoughts or
feelings.
Ba = feetDa = see
Bing = think
“As I stood on the edge of the roof,
I looked downand whimpered, “I hope I don’t
fall!”WOW!
ThoughtshotBegin your essay
with a thought inside a character’s
head.
“I couldn’t imaginewhy my father hollered
for me at 7:00 in the morning! I thought
fast about what I had done.”
Interesting!
Ready...Set...Action!
Begin with your maincharacter doing
something.
“Sally pushed away from the table, bolted out of the
kitchen, and slammed the back door.
She ran down the dock as quick as a lightening
strike, hurrying toward the sound of her father’s voice.”
What’s next?
Onomatopoeia
Introduce your essay with a
sound.
“Crack! The limbsnapped underneath me. I felt the rush of air slip past my arms as I fell to the grass
below.”
Ouch!