Strategies

You can try the following strategies to help create a good lead-in to your introduction. If you don't know what lead-in to use, you can create several introductions using each type of lead to figure out which one will work the best for you:

• You can start with an unusual detail. You do this because you want to grab the person's attention to what you are going to talk about. An example of this would be, "I have worked 789 days straight without taking a sick day."


• You can start your introduction with a strong statement that will grab your reader's attention and immediately make them think about what you are talking about from your point of view. An example of this would be, "Every person in my department has been given a raise except for me, even though I have double the experience of most."


• One great tip is to quote someone famous at the beginning of the statement. This is because we all identify with famous individuals and we usually respect them. Therefore, by quoting someone famous you are helping your cause by metaphorically getting that famous individual to support your argument.


• A short and to-the-point anecdote can also work great in your introduction. People love anecdotes and by using one in your introduction, you will help to get the reader to think about what you are talking about in your introduction, and possibly agree with you.


• If you are appealing to reason, then one of the best ways to make your introduction effective is by opening with a statistic or a fact. Studies have shown that people are more likely to believe a statement or argument if there is a statistic associated with it. An example of this would be, "The standard of living in our area has risen 17 percent, but my pay has only risen four percent in the same number of years."


• If you are appealing to emotions, then you should start with an emphatic rhetorical question. You want to appeal to the emotions of the person reading your persuasive argument and this is a very effective way to do this. An example of this would be, "If you had a family of four, would you not want to provide them with the best opportunities life can offer? A raise can do that for my family."