Post #3 -- Introductions

Introductions
Max Bittker

8:45 am, September eleventh 2001, the New York street bustled with the well-rehearsed chaotic movement of a million people making their way between apartment complexes, coffee shops, MTA entrances, and their offices. It took the roaring silver silhouette of a jet plane exploding over the block and just as quickly over them and out of sight.

This was my original introduction, and I don’t think it’s very special because it tries to set the scene but doesn’t give a strong enough “hook” nor mental image with which to build off of.

1) State a Problem or Dilemma:

On September 11th, a city was struck with tragedy, terror, and confusion.


2) Ask a good question:

What would it be like to have been in the city on the fateful eleventh of September? What could have been going through the minds of the people who were so close to the screaming and to whom the smoke was so real?  


3) Start with a striking fact:

The towers could be seen burning for 20 miles in every direction. Millions of people could see the bellowing black omen, but almost no-one understood what exactly was happening

My favorite is the striking fact, but I think that it could also be combined with the problem or dilemma. Both of them would steer my piece more towards my topic, which was supposed to be people confused and afraid about what was going on when they had very limited information.