PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT:The Introduction

THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ARGUMENT

So what do you do in your

spare time?

I like to skydive!

Where are you from?

Wisconsin, I just got a job here!

Think about the introduction as the first conversation with someone you’ve just met. You want them to think that you are interesting, and you wan them to know how you’ve come to meet each other. This is the exact purpose of the introduction in an argument.

PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT: INTRODUCTION

1. Attention grabbing statement

2. Context of the argument

3. Author’s claim/position in the argumentImportant note: the introduction

CAN be more than one

paragraph long

ATTENTION GRABBER

• Sentence at the beginning of the entire argument, that pulls in the reader and makes them want to read what the author has to say.• Can be..• A strong statement• Quotation• Situation the reader can relate to• Statistic or fact • A question

ATTENTION GRABBER: EXAMPLES

• Strong statement: “Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada!”

• Quotation: “Elbert Hubbard once said , "Truth is stronger than fiction.“”

• Relatable Situation: An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point.

• Statistic or Fact: Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your topic. It may be wise to include the item's authoritative source.

• Opening with a Question: “Have you ever considered how many books we'd read if it were not for television?”

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING:

• Which of the following is NOT an attention grabber that can be used at the beginning of an argument to pull in the reader?

A strong statement

A quotation

A situation the reader can relate to

A statistic or fact

A question

A statement of the writer’s opinion

PARTS OF AN INTRODUCTION: CONTEXT OF THE ARGUMENT

• The context of the argument gives the reader background information, so they can understand the issue.

• Basically you are telling the reader what the argument is about, so that they understand the topic as much as you can.

You

The Reade

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The Argument

CONTEXT OF AN ARGUMENT:EXAMPLE

This is an example of an introduction, the writer is writing about Alzheimer's Disease and creating an argument on how we should treat Alzheimer's patients.

• “Approximately 10% of U.S. Citizens over the age of 65 are affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD). With a continuing growth of the elderly population, this disease presents an extremely difficult problem for the future. How do we treat these individuals with medical costs increasing every year? How will we allocate funds for those whose families cannot afford to pay? The questions are relentless, but I have decided to explore the realm of treatment.”

The author is showing the reader that older people are affected by Alzheimer’s, and when you have more old people, more people are at risk for Alzheimer’s. Now, as the reader we know why the reader is writing about Alzheimer’s treatment.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING This student is writing an argument, discussing whether or not their school should participate in “Shut Down Your Screen Week”. Read the introduction and identify the CONTEXT of this student’s argument. Remember, the context gives you background information to understand the issue. Click on the sentence that has the context of the argument.

“A proposal has been brought to the school board concerning the possibility of

participating in “Shut Down Your Screen Week,” a movement in which students do not

use any electronic media for a seven day duration. Technology and electronic media

have been shown to have a variety of negative impacts on people, especially youth.

For this reason, I believe that participating in “Shut Down Your Screen Week” would

benefit our students in a variety of ways.”

PARTS OF AN INTRODUCTION:THE AUTHOR’S POSITION AND CLAIM

• The author’s position is their stance on the argument.

• The author’s claim is a statement the author uses to support their argument.

• Essentially, the author’s position is WHAT they feel. Their claim is WHY they feel this way.

THE AUTHOR’S POSITION AND CLAIM:EXAMPLE

“Cats and dogs can be very entertaining. But when it comes down to the best pet, I would say the dog. One

reason why I think a dog is the best pet to have, is because dogs can warn you of danger. And sometimes

that danger might be life threatening. So with a dog its like you have your own danger alarm.”

Look at this sample introduction, this author is discussing whether cats are better than dogs.

After reading this introduction, we know that this author thinks that dogs are better pets (this is the author’s position). We also know that he thinks pets are better BECAUSE they can warn you of danger (this is the author’s claim).

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

“A proposal has been brought to the school board concerning the possibility of participating in “Shut Down

Your Screen Week,” a movement in which students do not use any electronic media for a seven day duration.

Technology and electronic media have been shown to have a variety of negative impacts on people, especially

youth. For this reason, I believe that participating in “Shut Down Your Screen Week” would benefit our

students in a variety of ways.”

Take another look at the introduction below. The author is writing an argument discussing the “Shut Down Your Screen Week”. Identify the author’s position on the topic and the author’s claim by clicking the sentence that includes them.

FINISHED!You have completed “Parts of an Argument: Introduction” lesson.

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