Funnel Introductions

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Funnel Introductions
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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 mustnt give too much away from your body
  paragraphs.
• Otherwise why should the reader read anymore of
  your essay?

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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?

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Three ways to start contd

• State an intriguing or startling fact.
• Ex. There isnt a person in the whole world who
  doesnt get irritated by someone or something.
• Ex. Everyone has experienced a moment of
  complete and utter happiness.
• Ex. Everyone wants to meet someone famous.

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Three ways to start contd

• 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 wasnt 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.

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After your hook

• After you have picked a way to catch your
  readers attention, you have to lead him/her into
  your thesis statement.
• In your introduction, you dont want to give away
  too much. (Otherwise your reader wont have to
  read your body paragraphs)

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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 dont 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.

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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!
• 1st Sentence Hook
• 2nd Sentence Everyone
• 3rd Sentence Some people
• 4th Sentence Others
• 5th Sentence For me, THESIS STATEMENT.

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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 wasnt 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)