• The title of your essay is the first thing that reader’s see • It should reflect your tone and subject • It should be interesting and unique • It should make reader’s want to read Examples of Published Titles (Remember: Since your title is not published, it will not have any quotation marks around it. It will only have the major words capitalized.) “To Infinity and Beyond” “The Wrong Kind of Love” “Police Brutality: Every Street, U.S.A.” “Mario and the Art of Retaining Memory” “The Boy Look” “Sacred Rite or Civil Right?” The First Sentence: The Hook: The Lead-In The first sentence of your essay is of major importance because it can either keep your audience reading or cause them to abandon the essay. Some tips: • A paradox- Ex: “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.” – George Bernard Shaw • Statistic or Shocking statement- 1 of every 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer over the course of a lifetime reports the American Cancer Society. • A question- What do most teenagers own and can’t live without? • A famous quote: More tips: -A relevant story, joke, or anecdote -A description (appeal to pathos) -A factual statement or summary -An analogy or comparison -A contrast or before and after scenario -Statement of a problem or misconception -Brief dialogue to introduce the topic -A proverb, maxim, or motto -A recognition or insight -An appeal to a common or imagined experience AVOID • Lead in should not be the thesis • Having an out of context lead in • Long lead ins (Get to the point) • Apologies or complaints • Explain anything unknown • Think outside of the box; stay clear of overused hooks. After the Lead In The Introduction -One Sentence= the hook/lead in -Two/three sentences-introduce the topic in general terms with subsequent narrowing. -Last sentence is the thesis statement Example of Narrative Intro Bare feet, kissing cousins, and outhouses: these are all stereotypes that have been associated with being from the South. From books to the movies, Southerners have often been portrayed as odd and backwards, giving the rest of the nation this absurd idea of Southern people. The truth is that Southerners are one of a kind, known for their loyalty, kindness, and ingenuity. Another Example According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 29 million Americans who have diabetes of some type, and the number is growing. For some people, it is easy to pick up a candy bar or a soda and eat it without worry about the consequences. For me, it can be a matter or life or death. I have had diabetes since a young age, and it is a life changing illness that becomes normal in a sense.