Writing an Introductory Paragraph
State the Objective:
Today we will learn how to write a good introduction for an informational text. This is important to you as an author because a good introduction captures your audience
and makes them want to keep reading your writing.
Direct Instruction:
Show the “High 5 Paragraph Chart” and state: An introductory paragraph includes:
o A hook, or an effective lead o A statement of the topic
o A sentence which gives a sneak peek at the main
ideas that will be addressed (3 main ideas if writing a traditional 5 paragraph essay)
When we include all these parts, we have a strong introductory paragraph, or a HIGH 5
PARAGRAPH.
Review the parts to the introductory paragraph, holding up the following fingers:
Thumb – A hook or an effective lead Pointer finger – A statement of the topic
Fingers 3, 4, and 5 – Each represents one of the three main ideas that will be addressed Give the air a HIGH 5!
As we begin to write a HIGH 5 introductory paragraph, we need to begin with a hook or an effective lead. There are several techniques authors can use to introduce their topic and hook their readers.
Show chart. (Possible situation, Thought-provoking question, Statistic or fact, Use a short,
declarative sentence, or state your topic directly.)
Today we are going to learn the technique of presenting a possible situation.
A possible situation often starts with the words: imagine, picture, think of a time. The hook is only 2-3 sentences long.
Read models of good introductions in informational text that present a possible situation. (The introduction of the 3rd grade USOE text, “Moon,” is a good model of presenting a possible
situation.)
(To be at this point, your class should have organized their main ideas and details about your class topic in the informative writing structure. Show your model of the graphic organizer. For this lesson, we will be using a graphic organizer with the topic “Appearance of the Moon.”)
Model:
Display the “Appearance of the Moon” graphic organizer. Model my thinking:
I have a topic “Appearance of the Moon.” I have brainstormed and then webbed the main ideas and details for my topic. I am now ready to write, and I begin writing by introducing the topic. I look at the HIGH 5 PARAGRAPH diagram, and I know I need to start with an effective hook or lead that will make my readers interested in my topic. I know that one technique is to present a possible situation, and I think to myself, “What is an experience with the moon that I could ask my readers to imagine or think about? I remember times when I have been camping in the mountains, and all of a sudden the moon appeared big and bright. There are other times I have stood in my yard and could not see the moon at all.” Using just 2 or 3 sentences, I could present this possible situation using the words imagine, picture, or think of a time:
Think of a time when you were out at night, gazing at the moon shining brightly above. Now think of a time when you were out at night and couldn’t see the moon at all.
Writing this hook or effective lead is the first step of writing an introductory paragraph. I look at my chart and see that I need to then state my topic:
Think of a time when you were out at night, gazing at the moon shining brightly above. Now think of a time when you were out at night and couldn’t see the moon at all. The moon changes its appearance at different times of the month.
Writing the topic sentence is my second step. I look at my chart and see that I need to give a sneak peek of my main ideas so my readers will know how my writing is going to be organized.
Think of a time when you were out at night, gazing at the moon shining brightly above. Now think of a time when you were out at night and couldn’t see the moon at all. The moon changes its appearance at different times of the month. The moon’s appearance changes because the moon orbits around the earth, the sun lights different parts of the moon at different times, and the moon goes through different phases.
Guided Practice:
Pick two students to share an experience where they noticed the appearance of the moon. As a class, write their possible situations in 2-3 sentences.
Start each sample lead with imagine, picture, or think of a time.
Complete each HIGH 5 introductory paragraph by writing a topic sentence and by writing a sneak peek sentence which previews the main ideas that will be discussed in the paper.
o 2-3 sentences long
o Start with imagine, picture, or think of a time
Students complete each HIGH 5 introductory paragraph by writing a topic sentence and by
writing a sneak peek sentence which previews the main ideas that will be discussed in the paper.
Independent Practice:
Students write their own introductory paragraph that they will use for their paper.
o Students will write a possible situation lead that is 2-3 sentences long and starts with
imagine, picture, or think of a time.
o Students will complete each HIGH 5 introductory paragraph by writing a topic sentence and by writing a sneak peek sentence which previews the main ideas that will be discussed in the paper.
Next Steps:
Over time and one at a time, teach the other techniques for writing a lead.
Let students become comfortable with creating a lead or hook by writing a POSSIBLE SITUATION with several informational pieces. Then teach another technique so they can expand their strategy base. Repeat these explicit steps each time a new technique is taught.
Writing an Effective Lead
Describe a possible situation
Ask a thought-provoking question
State a statistic or fact
Use a short, declarative sentence
State the topic directly
Topic: The moon changes its appearance at different times of the month.
Audience: Classmates Purpose: Write to explain how the moon changes its appearance
Introduction of the topic
Orbit of the moon around the earth Reflection of the sun’s light Phases of the moon
Details Details Details
Details Details Details
Details Details Details
