Funnel Introductions What is it An introduction of

Funnel Introductions

What is it? • An introduction of a five paragraph expository essay does the following: – It must hook the reader (or catch his/her attention!) – It must present your thesis statement (either a three point thesis or not) – It mustn’t give too much away from your body paragraphs. • Otherwise why should the reader read anymore of your essay?

Three ways to start • There are three different ways to “hook” the reader. – Start off your introduction with a question. • Ex. Have you ever been irritated by something? • Ex. Do you remember an experience that made you happy? • Ex. Have you ever wanted to meet someone famous?

Three ways to start cont’d – State an intriguing or startling fact. • Ex. There isn’t a person in the whole world who doesn’t get irritated by someone or something. • Ex. Everyone has experienced a moment of complete and utter happiness. • Ex. Everyone wants to meet someone famous.

Three ways to start cont’d – Tell an anecdote (a brief story that illustrates a general idea) • Ex. Have you ever been irritated by something? I remember wanting my lesson to go without a hitch. I had started off so strong; I understood the concept, and I had a great activity planned. However from the moment I started, everything went downhill. I wasn’t able to start much less finish because I was constantly interrupted by something. • Ex. Do you remember an experience that made you happy? As I looked out into the ocean, the waves were crashing gently against the shore. I buried my feet a little deeper into the sand. I settled back in my chair, and right before I started reading my book again, I thought to myself, “This is paradise. ”

After your hook • After you have picked a way to catch your reader’s attention, you have to lead him/her into your thesis statement. • In your introduction, you don’t want to give away too much. (Otherwise your reader won’t have to read your body paragraphs)

The Good News • The good news is that your introduction can be as few as five sentences. (If you tell an anecdote with more than one sentence, those don’t count towards your five) • Other good news: your “hook” counts as one of those sentences and your thesis counts as another. • Therefore you really only need two or three more sentences.

Funnel Introduction Recipe This is one easy way to write a funnel introduction. Not all introductions must be formatted this way; however if you are struggling with the organization of introductions (or are giving away too much) this is the format for you! 1 st Sentence: Hook 2 nd Sentence: Everyone… 3 rd Sentence: Some people… 4 th Sentence: Others… 5 th Sentence: For me, THESIS STATEMENT.

Intro in funnel intro form Have you ever been irritated by something or someone? (Hook) Everyone has. (2) Some people are irritated by loud music. (3) Others are irritated by obnoxious and rude students. (4) For me, interruptions during class irritate me because they break my train of thought, they prevent me from teaching a whole lesson, and kids who have to leave get behind. (Thesis)

Another example using funnel introduction recipe • Ex. 2 Do you remember an experience that made you happy? (Hook) Everyone has had moments of joy in their life. (2) Some people enjoy traveling. (3) Others enjoy being with their loved ones. (4) Going to Gulf Shores is a happy experience because I get to relax, I am able to enjoy the beach, and I get to hang out with my friends. (Thesis)

Examples • Ex. 3 Everyone has experienced a moment of complete and utter happiness. For some that moment comes when they are with people they love. For others it is when they are able to do something special. Happiness can also come when one is able to travel somewhere. Going to Gulf Shores is a happy experience because I get to relax, I am able to enjoy the beach, and I get to hang out with my friends.

Example • Ex. 4 I remember wanting my lesson to go without a hitch. I had started off so strong; I understood the concept, and I had a great activity planned. However from the moment I started, everything went downhill. I wasn’t able to start much less finish because I was constantly interrupted by something. (Hook) Everyone is irritated by something. (2) Some people are irritated by other people. (3) Others are irritated by certain situations. (4) For me, interruptions during class irritate me because they break my train of thought, they prevent me from teaching a whole lesson, and kids who have to leave get behind. (Thesis)