Introduction Outline

Introduction
to properly develop the essay

Introduction Paragraph: needs to be at least 3 sentences in length in the essay.  In the outline, though, you will use a mixture of topic and full-sentence details—see below. While you will develop these three concepts when you begin working on your rough draft, for now, simply provide the order for the necessary content in each section.  

Once you have your research, you will be able to flesh out your body paragraphs.  

You will not use source material in the Introduction paragraph—unless you want to use one in your ‘hook’ sentence.  

The rest of the Introduction is in your words.

1. Hook sentence to intrigue readers (Interest-catcher that relates to your thesis statement— You CAN use source materials here.)
2. Detail sentence(s) to provide background (Connective sentence(s) that tie(s) your interest-catcher to your thesis—You will NOT use source materials here.)
3. Thesis statement (Your thesis, which identifies the topic and reveals the central claim you are making about the issue, can provide an overview of your main points—such as an essay map; however, the essay map is optional—You will NOT use source materials here.)

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:

1. Each of these three areas serves a SPECIFIC PURPOSE to introduce the argument/focus to the audience.  
1. Include all three areas but nothing more.
2. This is a relatively short paragraph.  
• It must be at least 3 sentences--obviously, to fulfill the three parts to the INTRODUCTION.
• It should not really be more than about 7 sentences or so.  
• Hook the reader 
• ('hook'), 
• Introduce the topic 
• (background/transitional details), and 
• Assert your point of view 
• (Thesis statement). 

That's it!