The introduction

2. The introduction • Introduces your subject • Creates interest • States your thesis

3. Ways to get started • An anecdote or story that leads to your thesis • Pose a challenging question • A surprising statement • A contradiction • A startling fact or statistic

4. Ways to get started • Offer a thought-provoking quotation “The rich are different,” F. Scott Fitzgerald said more than seventy years ago.

5. What to avoid in an introduction • Don’t apologize • Avoid phrases like, “in my opinion,” or “I may not be an expert.”

6. What to avoid in an introduction • Don’t begin with a dictionary definition • Avoid opening with lines like, “According to dictionary.com …”

7. What to avoid in an introduction • Don’t wander • Your introduction should draw the reader into your essay as soon as possible • Avoid irrelevant comments that distract readers

8. Every person has memories with obstacles that are unforgettable in life. These memories have no age or limit, yet make a tremendous impact.

9. Every person has memories with obstacles that are unforgettable in life. These memories have no age or limit, yet make a tremendous impact. A memory which changed my life occurred in my elementary years, from frequent falls, exams, surgery, and therapy.

10. Every person has memories with obstacles that are unforgettable in life. These memories have no age or limit, yet make a tremendous impact. A memory which changed my life occurred in my elementary years, from frequent falls, exams, surgery, and therapy. In fourth grade on a sunny morning, the whole class was in recess playing softball. I was excited and nervous, because it was my turn to bat. I hit the ball far, and ran to the bases. When I was in between third and home, my knees buckled, and I fell. My parents told me to be more careful, to watch where I was going. They thought I was just being clumsy, yet the falls became more frequent. Some falls occurred in the cafeteria while I was carrying my tray to the table. I remember the janitors had to help me stand up. My legs were becoming weaker by the day.

11. In fourth grade on a sunny morning, the whole class was in recess playing softball. I was excited and nervous, because it was my turn to bat. I hit the ball far, and ran to the bases. When I was in between third and home, my knees buckled, and I fell. My parents told me to be more careful, to watch where I was going. They thought I was just being clumsy, yet the falls became more frequent. Some falls occurred in the cafeteria while I was carrying my tray to the table. I remember the janitors had to help me stand up. My legs were becoming weaker by the day.

12. Incidents occur in our lives that may harm us internally. No one is perfect because we all have our problems; one can take it well, while others simply fall under the pressure.

13. Incidents occur in our lives that may harm us internally. No one is perfect because we all have our problems; one can take it well, while others simply fall under the pressure. My life changed with one incident that happened that made me a totally different person that I am today. It started off about a year ago. I got a job at McDonald’s where I met this guy Hector. WOW!!! I thought, love at first sight. Well it took off from there. We got to know each other well. I just simply fell in love with him, but he didn’t seem to notice . . .

14. Incidents occur in our lives that may harm us internally. No one is perfect because we all have our problem; one can take it well, while others simply fall under the pressure. My life changed with one incident that happened that made me a totally different person that I am today. It started off about a year ago. I got a job at McDonald’s where I met this guy Hector. WOW!!! I thought, love at first sight. Well it took off from there. We got to know each other well. I just simply fell in love with him, but he didn’t seem to notice . . .

15. About a year ago, I got a job at McDonald’s where I met this guy Hector. WOW!!! I thought, love at first sight. Well it took off from there. We got to know each other well. I just simply fell in love with him, but he didn’t seem to notice . . .

16. Admirers are indeed everywhere and needless to say everyone has had one in one point in time. An admirer is usually described as someone who you look up to, want to be like, and find yourself following in their footsteps.

17. Admirers are indeed everywhere and needless to say everyone has had one in one point in time. An admirer is usually described as someone who you look up to, want to be like, and find yourself following in their footsteps. They seem to have a great influence in your life, but what happens when that person you look up to does something really wrong?

18. Admirers are indeed everywhere and needless to say everyone has had one in one point in time. An admirer is usually described as someone who you look up to, want to be like, and find yourself following in their footsteps. They seem to have a great influence in your life, but what happens when that person you look up to does something really wrong? Situations like this both risk and jeopardize these relationships. Many, though, don’t realize the danger they are putting themselves in and end up doing the same mistake. As a kid, I always had an admiration for my older sister. Through my eyes she was the most perfect person that ever walked the planet. I grew up following her footsteps hoping one day I would be just like her. Little did I know everything could take a huge toll from one minute to the next.

19. Admirers are indeed everywhere and needless to say everyone has had one in one point in time. An admirer is usually described as someone who you look up to, want to be like, and find yourself following in their footsteps. They seem to have a great influence in your life, but what happens when that person you look up to does something really wrong? Situations like this both risk and jeopardize these relationships. Many, though, don’t realize the danger they are putting themselves in and end up doing the same mistake. As a kid, I always had an admiration for my older sister. Through my eyes she was the most perfect person that ever walked the planet. I grew up following her footsteps hoping one day I would be just like her. Little did I know everything could take a huge toll from one minute to the next.

20. What happens when that person you look up to does something really wrong? As a kid, I always had an admiration for my older sister. Through my eyes she was the most perfect person that ever walked the planet. I grew up following her footsteps hoping one day I would be just like her. Little did I know everything could take a huge toll from one minute to the next.

21. I was ninety percent sure I was dreaming. Accidents like this only happen in the movies, don’t they? Your parents tell you, “Be careful” about fifteen times a week, so after so many times of hearing that, you don’t actually take it into consideration anymore. Man, don’t you wish you did?

22. It was a cold, drizzling night, and my truck was filled with smoke due to the explosion of the air bag.

23. It was a cold, drizzling night, and my truck was filled with smoke due to the explosion of the air bag. When I finally opened my eyes and the smoke cleared I asked myself, Am I alive? Is anyone else hurt? Did I hit another vehicle? Am I okay? After reality struck and I realized that I was involved in an accident I thought to myself, damn, I could have died here today.