The Introductory Paragraph

Lead

A lead is a "hook" which leads into the thesis statement.  It is the first sentence in the introductory paragraph.  The lead is followed by two or three sentences which explain the lead.  After that another two or three sentences which move into the thesis statement.  The thesis statement is the last sentence in the introductory paragraph.

There are many types of leads.  Here are just a few:

1.  Question Lead

        What matters to Edgar Allan Poe more than anything?

2.  Statistics Lead

        Nearly 1,500 students at Mt. Hebron High School have read stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe.

3.  Quotation Lead

        "TRUE!--nervous--very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?"

4.  Shock  Lead

        "Villains!...dissemble no more!"

5.  Suspended-Interest Lead  (This lead leaves out important information and tempts the reader to go further into the paragraph to discover the meaning of the opening sentence.)

        Poe never gave up on his writing.

6.  Anecdote:  Tell a brief story about an incident in Poe's life.

7.  Definition:  Tragedy  (Define the term and then relate to Poe.)

Return to Five-Paragraph Theme.