Writing Argumentative Introductions

Background information

State opinion, belief, position, or proposal

Identify the reasons

Acknowledge an alternative perspective

Never assume your reader knows

Hook: hard-hitting fact, question, scenario, defining key vocabulary

State opinion, belief, position, or proposal

Identify reasons

Explicitly state each reason: ex. Wearing school uniforms eliminates peer pressure, reduces morning stress, and saves families money.

Broadly reference the reasons to be identified in the body paragraphs: ex. Wearing school uniforms reduces emotional, personal, and financial pressure.

Allude to reasons in general: ex. Students should want to wear school uniforms for three reasons.

Comes before the thesis statement and after the hook

Opponents believe....

Some say...

A common belief is...