Sample Introduction #1

Religious conflict can be the bloodiest and cruelest conflicts that turn people into
fanatics. This quote by William J. Brennan, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice,
accurately describes the situation in the Middle East today in the year 2016. Different
religious groups, including Muslims, Jews, and Christians, all claim this land as holy to
their different faiths. Within the Muslim faith, Shia & Sunni disagree over control of
resources and land. Muslim extremists have joined terrorist groups like ISIS to wage
holy war in Iraq and Syria. Leaders like Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad have plunged
their countries into civil war, which has allowed ISIS to gain control throughout the
region. All of these things result in conflict happening. The Middle East always
seems to have conflict because of religious extremists, competition for
resources, and a quest for power.
Italics: Attention Grabber (Use of a quote)
Underlined: Background information
Bold: Argument / Thesis Statement

Sample Introduction #2
Imagine that you are living in the city of Mosul, Iraq. Muslim extremists that are part
of ISIS have just captured your town. You and your family are forced to make a
decision: join ISIS, or be killed. What would you do? This story accurately describes
the situation in the Middle East today in the year 2016. Muslim extremists have joined
terrorist groups like ISIS to wage holy war in Iraq and Syria. Terrorism has also
occurred with groups that are not part of ISIS, including the ongoing conflict between
the Israelis and the Palestinians. This tension has led to fighting over the past fifty years
over control of extremely important land like the West Bank and Gaza Strip. All of these
things result in conflict happening all over this region of the world. The Middle East
always seems to have conflict because three Ts: tension, territories, and
terrorism.
Italics: Attention Grabber (Anecdote & Ask a Question)
Underlined: Background information
Bold: Argument / Thesis Statement