INTRODUCTIONSMiss Brown

Lights! Camera! Action!

Imagine for a second you are just starting to watch a movie on TV… There is popcorn and drinks and you are all set for a great film.

But the beginning of the film is BORING!!! What do you do? That movie is JUST like writing… the first

impression is really important! In writing we have only one chance to

make a good first impression… The INTRODUCTION!

What is it…Narrative Non-fiction

• Story or plot driven work…

• The introduction must capture the reader’s attention.

• Such as an essay or article…

• Must:- Grab attention!!- Establish a tone.- And include a

thesis statement that expresses the main idea.

Lead… What is this…

The hook or attention getter Often raises a question in the reader’s mind

When visitors to the St. Louis Zoo go to see chimpanzees, they won’t find them pacing around in a steel-and concrete cage. The zoo’s Jungle of the Apes exhibit resembles a lush tropical forest that tries to create the animal’s natural habitat in the wild. This type of facility is becoming more and more common at zoos across the country. Increasingly, zoos are creating environments that closely resemble natural habitats, improve health and happiness, and provide more authentic viewing experiences for visitors.”

Here’s How: 1. Determine your Purpose…

Why are you writing it?

For example: If your purpose is to amuse… you might

establish a comedic tone. If it is to instruct, you might share what

they will learn from the composition.

Determine Audience…

. How might the audience for the piece vary? Which kinds of audience might you

write for? Brainstorm…

Is there a difference between writing for children vs. teachers?

3. Draft a Thesis Statement…

For essays ONLY, declare your main idea and purpose in the thesis statement.

Narrative: NO THESIS!!

Essay: Always contains a sentence or two explaining the main idea!

4. Experiment…

Try out many different types of Introductions!

Narratives Essays

With dialogue With a brief anecdote

In the middle of the action

With a quotation

With a character reaction

With an intriguing fact

With a dramatic image By posing a question

By introducing the narrator

With a news item

With a provocative sentence

By addressing the reader directly

With a generalization With a vivid description

5. Evaluate… Ask yourself when revising the

introduction…

Is this introduction helping the purpose of the narrative?

Is the introduction good for my audience? Does the introduction make readers want

to continue reading? Is there a clear thesis statement (essays

only)? Is the introduction factually correct? What can my reader expect to learn

about?

Introductions in Narratives

Begin with Dialogue:

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents!” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. “It’s so dreadful to be poor! Sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.- Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

Introductions in Narratives

Begin in the middle of the action…

“Are we rising again?” “No. On the contrary.” “Are we descending?” “Worse than that, captain! We are falling!” – The Mysterious Island, Jules Verne

Introductions in Narratives

With a character’s reaction…

Alice was getting very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do.- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

Introductions in Narratives

With a dramatic Image…

“The Pushcart War started on the afternoon of March 15, 1986, when a truck ran down a pushcart belonging to a flower peddler. Daffodils were scattered all over the street. The pushcart was flattened, and the owner of the pushcart was pitched head first into a pickle barrel.”- the Pushcart War, Jean Merrill

Introductions in Narratives

By introducing the narrator…

“I am on my mountain in a tree home that people have passed without ever knowing that I am there.” _ My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George.

Introductions in Narratives

With a provocative sentence…

“Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.” _ A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

Introductions in Narratives

With a generalization…

“It must be that all children are actors.” – Stolen day, Sherwood Anderson.

Introductions in Essays

With a Quotation…

“James Naismith’s invention, the American sport of basketball, is no longer the private property of the United States” says respected basketball analyst…”

Introductions in Essays

With an intriguing fact…

At the beginning of last year’s season, NBA team rosters contained 67 international players from 33 different countries.

Introductions in Essays

By posing a question…

Have you ever noticed that many of the National basketball Association’s top stars, players like Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, and Peja Stojakovic, come from other countries?

Introductions in Essays

By addressing the reader directly…

If you believe that basketball is just an American game, think again.

Introductions in Essays

With a vivid description…

On the bench, the player sat with stunned expressions on their faces. Some covered their faces with towels. The clock was ticking off seconds in the final moments of the Olympic semifinal. The NBA stars were going to lose.

Other ideas….

Use Sound effects: “Whoosh!” was all I heard as the air escaped

from out of the hot-air balloon…

Begin at the end: “The detectives tagged the body for the

morgue.”

Group work…

English I: Narrative Introduction In groups of 4, on poster paper, please create

an introduction to describe your favorite part of a Disney or Pixar story…

English II: Essay Introduction In groups of 4, on poster paper, please create

an introduction to describe the value of your favorite sport.

Use the examples from the PowerPoint!!!

Practice!!

Pg. A Pg. B

Due tomorrow if not finished!!