Introductory Paragraph for Current Event

Hello!

A reminder of your homework that is due on Wednesday:

Write your introductory paragraph, which includes a hook, transition, and the thesis statement.  I am going to give you a brief explanation of the components of the paragraph, but recall you have written an argumentative paper before now!  This information should simply be a review for you lovely 9th graders.

• Hook:
• Your hook is an interesting introduction to the TOPIC you are going to write about in the paper. It can be a quote, question, current event, personal story or experience, an other's story or experience, etc.
• I caution you against using a story from one of your sources (if a source even contains a story) as the hook as most students end up giving me a summary of the argument/topic that they are about to write embedded in a synopsis of the story. I do not want a synopsis of the article's story. I want an interesting introduction to the TOPIC (i.e. how teachers could have/could not have stopped the shootings in Newton Town, Conn., etc.).
• Make sure the hook relates to the thesis.
• Transition:
• The bridge that connects the hook to your thesis statement,
• It is here, in the transition, that you mention Oedipus. After all, one cannot go from your personal story right to Oedipus without some kind of segue, which is the job of a transition.
• The Thesis Statement:.
• STANCE + EVIDENCE #1 + EVIDENCE #2 + EVIDENCE #3 = Thesis Statement
• Thesis statement is ONE SENTENCE! Are you reading this?!? ONE!
• For example: Brownies are the superior dessert in that they contain dopamine laden chocolate, they have an unquestionable mouth-pleasing texture, and there are dozens of delicious variations to satisfy any individual.
• Here is a graphic organizer to help you develop the claim/thesis statement

Once you have settled upon your thesis statement (after much brainstorming and revision), do the following:

• Write out each pieces of evidence as a separate sentence with the stance to make sure you are producing complete thoughts.
• Brownies are the superior dessert in that they contain dopamine laden chocolate.
• Brownies are the superior dessert in that they have an unquestionable mouth-pleasing texture.
• Brownies are the superior dessert in that there are dozens of delicious variations to satisfy any individual taste.
• If each sentence is a complete thought, you know you are on track with a solid claim statement.

Finally, on a new page in your composition notebook, rewrite your introductory paragraph (double spaced) with the thesis statement:

• Hook + Transition + Thesis Statement = Introductory Paragraph

You will be participating in peer-editing on Wednesday, where we will be looking closing for all the elements mentioned above. Please be prepared as the completed intro paragraph and peer-editing will be worth big points. You will write the final version of your paragraph during class on Wednesday.