This resource is a quick reference guide for students as they craft effective introduction paragraphs in response to persuasive writing tasks, such as the EOC Writing SOL. The resource includes suggestions and tips and a sample paragraph based on a released prompt.  It has been revised from the original resource (included below) to include simplified and revamped suggestions and a model paragraph with simplified language for students who might feel defeated by the original sample's sophistication.  There is also an activity to help students engage with the suggestions and example and a suggestion for practicing the skills with released SOL Prompts.  Below the following content, a Microsoft Word version is provided that allows teachers to provide this information in one page for students. 

SOL PROMPT #16

Think about the benefits of working with a group or working alone. Which do you feel is more beneficial? Write to convince your teacher of your preference, either to work with a group or to work alone. Support your position with reasons and specific examples.

MODEL INTRODUCTION

Today, students in high schools across the country are more overwhelmed than they have ever been. The pressure to earn excellent grades, stay involved in extracurricular activities, and be accepted by a good college and/or find a job that pays well is mounting every year. Consequently, many students are no longer able to enjoy learning and find themselves competing with peers instead of working together with other students. To make sure students are not simply burying their noses in books by themselves in a silent and boring classroom, more teachers should consider assigning group work to their students more often. In addition to the obvious social benefits of group work, there are a number of logical and practical reasons that teachers should encourage collaboration in their classrooms.

STEPS TO WRITING A SOLID INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

HOOK

·       Quote

·       Statistic or Fact

·       Interesting Anecdote

·       1 Rhetorical Question

·       Vivid Description

CONTEXT

-What does my reader need to know?

-Why is this topic relevant?

-What is the current situation in the world concerning this topic?

AUDIENCE

What person or group of people would benefit from hearing your argument?

THESIS

Include your position and state your reasons. State it clearly and be specific.

Think about it:

Circle text and draw an arrow to the strategy it demonstrates.

Try it out:

Choose a released SOL Promptand try out using the strategies yourself.

Editable and printable Microsoft Word version:

Here is the direct link to the released SOL Prompts. 

This resource is adapted from this original resource by Margaret Harris-Shoats: