Question

Abra is developing an outline for her essay. Read the outline for the first paragraph.

Abra’s Draft Outline

Introduction: How superheroes are important to pop culture

Background information: Explain how superheroes came to be popular.

Thesis statement: Present the idea that superheroes are popular because they triumph over evil and restore humanity.

How should Abra revise the outline of the first paragraph to be more effective?

She should add a hook, such as a fact about a well-known superhero, to engage her audience.
She should move her thesis statement to the beginning of the introduction to show its significance.
She should remind her audience why her thesis matters and give them something to think about.

Answer 1

She should add a hook, such as a fact about a well-known superhero, to engage her audience.

Reason: a strong introduction usually begins with a hook to grab attention, then gives background, and ends with the thesis. Moving the thesis to the start would break the usual flow, and “reminding why the thesis matters” belongs in the conclusion rather than the first paragraph. Examples of hooks: a startling statistic, a brief anecdote about a famous superhero, or a striking quote.