Organizational Methods:  INTRODUCTIONS

(these are links to the sections below)

1. RHETORICAL QUESTION
2. STARTLING STATEMENT
3. TIMELY QUOTATION
4. BRIEF STORY
5. DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH

• In any attempt to communicate, an introduction is an important first step in exchanging ideas with a receptor. The introduction, as an integral part of a composition, provides the necessary "warm up" to allow the writer to establish the writer­reader relationship. Not only should the introduction to a composition either state a thesis (deductive approach), or provide a pivotal quotation (inductive approach), but it should also show evidence that you are a communicator worthy of the reader's attention and that you are purposeful in presenting a substantial treatment of a thesis worthy of the reader's consideration.
   
• Essentially, in all introductory paragraphs, you want to attain the following objectives:

WARM-UP

1. Solicit the reader's attention.
2. Secure the reader's interest.
3. Adopt an organizational approach for writing the paper.
    

• You should consider the first two objectives as a "warm up" to prepare the reader for the substantive parts of the composition. The "warm up" can be presented in a number of ways so that the reader's attention and interest are secured. Five examples are shown in this lesson.
   
• As indicated in the section on organizational strategies, you need to establish a means of organizing the composition. In addition to soliciting the reader's attention and interest, the introductory paragraph must satisfy a third objective: preparing the reader for the remaining parts of the paper.
   

DEDUCTIVE APPROACH
 

• If you plan to present the thesis for the composition at the beginning and then explain the thesis in the paragraphs which make up the body, you should state your thesis at the end of the introductory paragraph, immediately following the "warm up."
• Notice how the thesis is stated after each of the five "warm ups" you have previously read. It is very important that the "warm up" and thesis melt together to form an appropriate introductory paragraph.
   

INDUCTIVE APPROACH
 

• If you plan to use the inductive approach in writing your paper, the thesis appears at the end.
• To conclude the introduction of an inductive paper, you should provide a pivotal question at the end of your "warm up" which will be ultimately answered by the statement of the thesis at the conclusion of the paper.
• Notice that the pivotal question technique should be avoided when the "warm up" itself is a provocative question.

(1) RHETORICAL QUESTION:

• One method which proves to be successful in gaining the reader's interest and attention is the provocative question. Here's an example:
   
  • Why are young people assaulting their mental and physical health with drugs? Today, in attempting to cope with contemporary society, many youngsters are experimenting with lethal assortments of drugs. Whether it be to deal with personal inadequacies, problem situations, or peer pressure, our youth are saturating themselves with deadly chemicals.
     
• Deductive Approach:  Thesis Statement
   
  • Why are young people assaulting their mental and physical health with drugs? Today, in attempting to cope with contemporary society, many youngsters are experimenting with lethal assortments of drugs. Whether it be to deal with personal inadequacies, problem situations, or peer pressure, our youth are saturating themselves with deadly chemicals. The drug crisis at Centerville High School is reaching epidemic proportions.
     
• Inductive Approach:  Pivotal Question
   
  • This warm-up technique is not appropriate for the inductive approach.

(2) STARTLING STATEMENT:

• Another way to "warm up" your reader is to begin with a startling statement.
   
  • You are lazy! Many Americans are not taking advantage of the opportunities to become healthy. When they conclude a typical day, many are very content to simply sit in front of the television and waste their time by staring at the screen. This habit becomes intensified over a period of time to the point when many people do not want to be disturbed while watching television.
     
• Deductive Approach: Thesis Statement
   
  • You are lazy! Many Americans are not taking advantage of the opportunities to become healthy. When they conclude a typical day, many are very content to simply sit in front of the television and waste their time by staring at the screen. This habit becomes intensified over a period of time to the point when many people do not want to be disturbed while watching television. Television is becoming more of a detriment than an asset.
     
• Inductive Approach: Pivotal Question
   
  • You are lazy! Many Americans are not taking advantage of the opportunities to become healthy. When they conclude a typical day, many are very content to simply sit in front of the television and waste their time by staring at the screen. This habit becomes intensified over a period of time to the point when many people do not want to be disturbed while watching television. Is television becoming more of a detriment than an assent?

(3) TIMELY QUOTATION:

• A third means is to begin with a timely quotation.
   
  • "I have never seen another individual who has been more productive in this industry during all my years of association with it," related Mr. Albert Russo, president of Miracle Records. Mr. Russo, along with many other individuals, is overwhelmed with the success of a remarkable singer, Lionel Richie. His ability to write and perform so many successful "hits" separates him from the others in his field and makes him a superstar.
     
• Deductive Approach: Thesis Statement
   
  • "I have never seen another individual who has been more productive in this industry during all my years of association with it," related Mr. Albert Russo, president of Miracle Records. Mr. Russo, along with many other individuals, is overwhelmed with the success of a remarkable singer, Lionel Richie. His ability to write and perform so many successful "hits" separates him from the others in his field and makes him a superstar. Popular music has cultivated a variety of "superstars."
     
• Inductive Approach: Pivotal Question
   
  • "I have never seen another individual who has been more productive in this industry during all my years of association with it," related Mr. Albert Russo, president of Miracle Records. Mr. Russo, along with many other individuals, is overwhelmed with the success of a remarkable singer, Lionel Richie. His ability to write and perform so many successful "hits" separates him from the others in his field and makes him a superstar. How did Lionel Richie become so successful?
     

(4) BRIEF STORY:

• Another method of presenting the "warm up" is by telling a brief story. Narration is an appealing way to secure the reader's attention.
   
  • On a rainy day in a rural neighborhood home, Larry Miller was bored. He was home from school with a cold. Larry, a fifth grader, first attempted to do his homework, but he had forgotten to bring the necessary books from school. He then turned on the T. V. but became tired of watching soap operas. Knowing that his mother would not return from shopping for another hour, he thought that he would try something that he would never attempt with his parents in the house. Larry entered his dad's library where he knew that he might find at least one cigarette. Sure enough, in the top drawer of the desk, he found his dad's favorite brand. The youngster lit a cigarette.
     
• Deductive Approach: Thesis Statement
   
  • On a rainy day in a rural neighborhood home, Larry Miller was bored. He was home from school with a cold. Larry, a fifth grader, first attempted to do his homework, but he had forgotten to bring the necessary books from school. He then turned on the T. V. but became tired of watching soap operas. Knowing that his mother would not return from shopping for another hour, he thought that he would try something that he would never attempt with his parents in the house. Larry entered his dad's library where he knew that he might find at least one cigarette. Sure enough, in the top drawer of the desk, he found his Dad's favorite brand. The youngster lit a cigarette. Larry might become addicted to cigarette smoking.
     
• Inductive Approach: Pivotal Question
   
  • On a rainy day in a rural neighborhood home, Larry Miller was bored. He was home from school with a cold. Larry, a fifth grader, first attempted to do his homework, but he had forgotten to bring the necessary books from school. He then turned on the T. V. but became tired of watching soap operas. Knowing that his mother would not return from shopping for another hour, he thought that he would try something that he would never attempt with his parents in the house. Larry entered his dad's library where he knew that he might find at least one cigarette. Sure enough, in the top drawer of the desk, he found his dad's favorite brand. The youngster lit a cigarette. What provoked Larry to try smoking?
     

(5) DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH:

• The last method is a descriptive sketch. Description provides a vivid mental image for the reader.
   
  • As the ferry approached land, I could see an outline of the eastern shoreline of the island. I also noticed a multitude of seagulls hovering above the smokestacks of the ferry. The silver tips of the waves occasionally interfered with my view of the docking area where numerous fishing vessels bobbed up and down in an attempt to free themselves to enter the vast waterways of this beautiful New England sound. The sun, dancing on the roofs of the quaint Cape Cod homes, accentuated the myriad of colors which denoted each dwelling. The sparkling sand of the beach accepted the pounding of the majestic Atlantic ocean.
     
• Deductive Approach: Thesis Statement
   
  • As the ferry approached land, I could see an outline of the eastern shoreline of the island. I also noticed a multitude of seagulls hovering above the smokestacks of the ferry. The silver tips of the waves occasionally interfered with my view of the docking area where numerous fishing vessels bobbed up and down in an attempt to free themselves to enter the vast waterways of this beautiful New England sound. The sun, dancing on the roofs of the quaint Cape Cod homes, accentuated the myriad of colors which denoted each dwelling. The sparkling sand of the beach accepted the pounding of the majestic Atlantic ocean. Vacationing on Martha's Vineyard can be exhilarating.
     
• Inductive Approach: Pivotal Question
   
  • As the ferry approached land, I could see an outline of the eastern shoreline of the island. I also noticed a multitude of seagulls hovering above the smokestacks of the ferry. The silver tips of the waves occasionally interfered with my view of the docking area where numerous fishing vessels bobbed up and down in an attempt to free themselves to enter the vast waterways of this beautiful New England sound. The sun, dancing on the roofs of the quaint Cape Cod homes, accentuated the myriad of colors which denoted each dwelling. The sparkling sand of the beach accepted the pounding of the majestic Atlantic ocean. Are you interested in finding a new vacation spot?
     

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