Nonfiction Introduction Examples

Here are some of the introductions we have been working on in class:

Starting the introduction with a question:

How is it possible that a song can change a person’s mood in a blink of an eye? Ever since the 1940’s, rock and roll has been doing just that. As rock and roll is a mix of many different styles of music, many believe it to be the most influential style of music ever! Through the course of this book, you will learn how rock and roll started and where it is today!

1. The question
2. Explaining of the question
3. Relating to my controlling idea
4. Explaining what will come next

• See if you can find these same elements (only without the question) in the next few examples...

Starting the introduction with an interesting fact:

• In 2004, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean created a giant tsunami which killed over 225,000 people! All over the world, natural disasters are shaping the way we live. Natural disasters, from avalanches in the north pole, to tornadoes in the Midwest United States, are showing us that nature is still a force to be reckoned with. In the upcoming pages, you will learn about the different kinds of natural disasters and how they affect the people of the world.

• On Sunday February 9th, 1964, the Beatles made their television debut on the Ed Sullivan show kicking off the British Invasion in the United States. Many considered the Beatles as the band which kicked off a new era in rock and roll. Rock and roll, a mixture of different styles of music, has been very influential throughout the ages. Throughout this book, you will learn not only about the Beatles, but about how and why rock and roll became so popular.

• In the 1930's Ed Rickenbacker invented the electric guitar, changing the way we would listen to music forever. As rock and roll (a mixture of different kinds of music) often uses an electric guitar, it could be said that this instrument helped to shape the genre of music into what it has become today. Throughout the course of this book, you will learn about importance of rock and roll and how it has changed throughout the ages.

• In 1981, Music Television (or MTV) forever changed the way we would listen to music. MTV changed the way we listen to music and turned it into something visual (almost like going to the movies!). Instead of listening to music, now we can watch it too! MTV is just one step in the changing face of rock and roll. Throughout this book, you will learn the influences of rock and roll and just why it is important.