Introduction Lesson

Topic: Writing an introduction for a persuasive essay Length of class: 100 minutes Lesson on introduction: 30-40 minutes Who are your students and what are their specific learning needs? 7th grade with mixed ability levels. A few have a 504 plan for extra time or behavior. Standard(s) to be addressed:
W.7.1. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. a. Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.

Enduring Understandings/Essential Questions targeted in this lesson (for units created using the Understanding By Design framework only): How can I influence others? Learning Objectives for this lesson (Written using verbs from Blooms Taxonomy): Teacher: Given any introduction to a persuasive piece, students will be able to identify the hook and thesis in each introduction. Students: I can identify the hook and the thesis in an introduction. Teacher: Given a checklist and after modeling and guided practice, students will be able to create an effective introduction including the required elements specified in the rubric. Students: I can create an effective introduction for a persuasive essay. Instructional method(s) chosen in this lesson (and why): Explicit lesson, think-ink-pair-share, shared writing, independent writing Why? To model and explain, then gradually release responsibility. This allows students to practice collaboratively, then independently. When students each have to write down a response to share, the whole class is involved and working, not just a few students answering all the questions a teacher asks. Materials/Resources: Overhead Copy of an introductory paragraph for teacher to project and model

introduction checklist with copies of two introductions for each student pencils & notebook paper highlighters for each student Lesson Sequence: (How will you organize your lesson?) 1. Explain agenda, state objectives, review thesis and hook Have you ever really wanted to convince your friends or your parents to do something? We all want to persuade people to do something or agree with us whether we are talking or writing an essay. The way we start our argument is important. If we do a good job, we can make a good impression and catch someones interest right away. If we dont make a good first impression, people may not want to listen to the rest of our argument. The way we start an essay is called an introduction. Today were going to learn how to write a great introduction paragraph for a persuasive essay. This isnt the kind of introduction where the author says Hi, my name is George and in my essay Im going to convince you to visit the zoo this summer. An essay introduction has usually has three parts. One part is called the thesis. We worked on writing those yesterday. This is just a simple, strong statement that tells your reader what point you will be arguing in your essay. Example: Drivers should not use cell phones while driving. The middle part is called the background information. This is where an author explains the main issue the paper will discuss and gives us any background information we may need to know to understand the thesis. The other really important part, the first part, of an introduction is called the hook. A hook is something surprising or really interesting that will grab a readers attention and make them want to keep reading. 2. Activate prior knowledge (movies & hook) Monsters Inc. (Toy Story 3 to reteach if needed) Ill give you a good example of how important it is to have a hook. Often movies begin with a hook to get us interested in the movie. Something suspenseful, exciting or surprising happens at the very beginning of the movie. Were going to watch a clip of a movie that starts with a great hook. (Play movie beginning to the point where Sully wakes up.) This is more exciting and gets us more interested in the movie than if it started out with Mike and Sully walking to work. Think for a minute of an example of a movie that starts out with a good hook, something surprising or suspenseful? Write it down in your notebook. Then turn to a partner and share your example of a movie or book starting with a scene that really grabbed your attention. (Let them discuss, then share out a few examples. Make sure they understand what a hook is. Give more examples if needed.) 3. Explain and illustrate how to write a hook.

So, just like a movie, when you write a hook for your introduction, you try to paint a picture with words, and show something interesting to your readers. In an essay, there are several different ways to write a hook. Can you tell me what they are? (Take suggestions) A surprising fact or statement about your thesis would make a great hook. Most adults in this country are addicted to caffeine.and they dont even know it! It could be a short story about something that really happened that relates to the topic. Remember the paragraph we read about greyhounds? It began by telling the story of a greyhound named Kizzy who broke his leg while racing. The hook could also be a question. Are you tired of ordinary vacations? Why not try a trip to outer space? A hook could also be a quote from a famous person. The hook has to be related to the thesis. In an introduction, the hook comes first to get us interested in the essay, then the author tells us the thesis, or the main idea of the essay. Lets look at an example. (Display greyhound paragraph) Hes only 2 years old and his career is already over. Wow, Ive never hear of that before. Im pretty sure that has to be the hook its definitely a surprising fact and it certainly grabbed my attention. So, Im going to highlight it. (Read the rest of the paragraph aloud.) This sentence tells me who he is, a greyhound dog. This tells what his career is and why its over. I think these are background information to explain the hook, so Ill underline them. Im pretty sure this is the thesis. Its the last sentence in the paragraph and its trying to convince me to do something adopt a greyhound. I think this is what the essay will be about, persuading me to adopt one of these dogs. So, Im going to circle this sentence. This is also background information explaining the thesis, so Im going to underline it, too. The author couldnt just say Hes only 2 years old and his career is already over. And then say I believe you should consider adopting a greyhound dog. That wouldnt make sense. The background information helps connect the hook and thesis, so our introduction makes sense.

Hes only two years old and his career is already over. Ever since he was a puppy, a greyhound dog named Kizzy has been trained to dash around a racetrack and win dog races. Last month, Kizzys leg snapped during a race. Kizzy and thousands of other retired greyhounds like him have never played with a chew toy or gone for a walk around the block. They need a chance to be part of a family and live a normal dogs life. If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, consider adopting a greyhound.
4. Practice identifying a hook and a conclusion in several sample introductions. Im handing out some copies of several introductions to persuasive essays. Working with a partner, I want you to see if you can find the hook, the thesis, and the background information in each introduction. Theres a little explanation at the top to help you remember that a thesis is the main idea in an essay, the hook is something to grab the readers attention and the background information explains the hook, the thesis or both and helps connect them. (Pass out highlighters and handout) Please read these introduction paragraphs with your partner, then discuss and highlight what you think is the hook. Using your pencil, draw a circle around what you think is the thesis in each paragraph, and underline anything you

think is background information. (Have some pairs share out after a few minutes. Clarify if a number of them struggle with any part of these) 5. Shared writing activity So, do you think you know how to write an introduction now? Were going to find out! As a class we are going to write an introduction together for a persuasive essay Possibility: Americans are addicted and its killing them! Many drivers cannot seem to stop texting and driving. Yet every year, thousands die as a result. Therefore, texting and talking on a cell phone while driving should be banned. Or use Students should be able to use cell phones during class. Ok, whats going to be our thesis statement? That sounds great (Write it down.) Now, what are we going to use for our hook? Are we going to use a question or a story? Or do we have a surprising fact we could use? Possible ideas: Ask what background information we might need to include between the hook and the thesis to explain them, especially if the hook is only a question. Encourage them to give a two- three sentence summary of the main conflict or argument we will be discussing. 6. Independent practice writing introductions Now its time for you to write your own introduction. Look at the thesis statements you wrote yesterday. This will be the thesis of your paper. Using the checklist on the back of your handout, start thinking of a good hook for your topic. What background information do you need to explain your thesis? To connect your thesis to your hook? (Give assistance and help with ideas as needed. As students finish their introductions, they can trade with a partner to read through and get feedback. At this stage, the teacher should definitely read through all the introductions to make certain everyone is on the right track and has a good start for their essay.) Assessment of learning (How will I know if students achieved my learning objectives?) Informally assess the sheets students highlighted Informally evaluate student responses in sharing out and shared writing Read and evaluate each students introduction for their paper. (formative only!) Assessment at this stage will only be for the purpose of identifying areas that may need more support or instruction, not to assign a grade.

INTRODUCTION PRACTICE:

Directions: Highlight the hook. Underline the background information. Circle the thesis.

"A dog is man's best friend." This common saying may contain some truth, but a dog isnt the only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy. For many people, a cat is actually their best friend. Many people find them easy to take care of and great company. Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent house pets.

Are you interested in space? Do you want to be an astronaut when you grow up? Then, maybe you would be interested in an after school organization for students who want to learn about space exploration called STARS. It can prepare you to be a professional astronaut. If you are interested in astronomy and space, I suggest that you join STARS.

 Hook: something surprising or interesting to grab readers attention, such as: o o o o A question Short real-life story or description Surprising fact or statement about the thesis A quote

Background Information: a short summary or explanation of the thesis, the hook or both.

Thesis: simple, strong statement of the main idea or argument of an essay.