To: explain, persuade, analyze, review, inform, compare, demonstrate, describe, evaluate, contrast, interpret, convince

EXAMPLE: To persuade drivers not to use hand held cell phones while driving an automobile.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH:

Get the reader's attention in the opening sentence. Some ways:

• Set up a comparison or contrast
• Give a definition
• Use a quotation
• Challenge a common belief
• Make a reference to an historical or current event
• Tell an anecdote
• Pose a question that you will answer
• State some facts that will get attention.

SAMPLE: Recently a driver reached for his cell phone, lost control of the car, and crashed into another car. The passenger, a world famous model, sustained extensive liver damage and will spend many months in rehabilitation. (Reference to current event)

1. Include the purpose or intent of your essay. This is a statement of the main problem, issue, or point you are writing about. (thesis statement)

SAMPLE: Using a hand held cellular phone in your car while you are driving can be very dangerous and possibly cost you your life.

2. May include a summary of the main supporting details, reasons, facts which you will use to develop each of your body paragraphs. Each support becomes the topic sentence of each body paragraph. (Note: If you choose not to include supporting details , you must have an outline of them separately and develop each one in your body paragraphs.)

SAMPLE: When a driver uses a hand held cell phone while the car is in motion, he has limited control of his vehicle, becomes prone to reckless driving, and makes himself more vulnerable to getting into an accident.

3. The last sentence of your introductory paragraph is a statement of your opinion of the problem, point, or issue.

SAMPLE: I believe that the State of California should ban the use of hand held cell phones while a car is in motion. 

 Recently a driver reached for his cell phone, lost control of the car, and crashed into another car. The passenger, a world famous model, sustained extensive liver damage and will spend many months in rehabilitation. Using a hand held cellular phone in your car while you are driving can be very dangerous and possibly cost you your life. When a driver uses a hand held cell phone while the car is in motion, he has limited control of his vehicle, becomes prone to reckless driving, and makes himself more vulnerable to getting into an accident.  I believe that the State of California should ban the use of hand held cell phones while a car is in motion.                                                                               

OTHER SAMPLES OF INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS

Too many professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association act like spoiled brats. The NBA has become a home for all those athletes who just never grew up. They seem to care only about their contracts, their cars, and their jewelry. Of little concern to them are the management, their teammates, or the fans who pay, of course, for those high salaries and, in turn, expensive cars and jewelry. The executives of the NBA should establish stricter guidelines for the players' behavior and actions on and off the court.

How can any senior afford going to a prom these days? Of course, the prom is a traditional event every spring, but the costs of renting a tux, buying a dress, and renting a limousine have made paying for it very difficult. Too many seniors just don't have the necessary funds. This is a major concern for some kids, and a major headache for others. However, with long range planning and careful shopping any senior's prom can be both affordable and enjoyable.

"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing," said Vince Lombardi, who coached the Green Bay Packers to three National Football League championships. Never has one statement been used by so many coaches to emphasize the importance of winning games. That is why so many of them put too much pressure on their athletes. It is truly disturbing to see so many high school coaches emphasize winning above other values.

The young teenagers—Jamie was the oldest at 16—entered the principal's office, and declared their grievances. "We should have an open campus," said a junior. "Underclassmen should be allowed to go to the prom," added a sophomore. "We'd at least like to be asked," Jamie requested, "whenever the school board decides to make a new policy."

This type of scene is becoming familiar across the country as groups of students—often members of student councils or class officers—are participating in school management. In fact, many high school administrations are enjoying positive results when they join with students in managing their schools.