1. Opening and Concluding Paragraphs First Impressions and Final Thoughts WS 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

2. First Paragraphs Response to Literature ATTENTION GRABBER Next two (at least) sentences must be background about the novel/play or topic

3. Attention Grabber Strategies 1. The Outside Connection 1. The Outside Connection 2. The Global Statement 2. The Global Statement 3. Using a Quote 3. Using a Quote 4. An Anecdote 4. An Anecdote 5. The Straw Man 5. The Straw Man 6. The Dramatic Fact. 6. The Dramatic Fact. Wait? Isnt there one missing?

4. What about using a Question? DONT DO THIS - EVER! DONT DO THIS - EVER! Usually the question is not answered Usually the question is not answered Sometimes it even includes second person: Sometimes it even includes second person: Ex: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be lonely? In Of Mice and Men… Ex: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be lonely? In Of Mice and Men… Also, do not use a command: Also, do not use a command: Imagine, being the only one left on earth. Imagine, being the only one left on earth.

5. Strategy #1: The Outside Connection Starts with broad statement about a theme that relates to your thesis Give example from literature, authors life, or other history that relates to this theme. Dont connect to pop culture or anything that seems out of character Transition into your thesis clearly to avoid confusing the reader.

6. The Outside Connection Example: The mentor archetype spans from Greek epics to modern novels. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout matures into a well-rounded young woman due to the influence of several guiding figures. In This Other Novel, Mentor teaches Protagonist that… Broad Theme Transition Thesis

7. Strategy #2: Global Statement Start with a broad statement and then narrow toward your thesis. Similar setup to Outside Connection. Very versatile – works in a variety of situations. Dont be too broad or vague. Start with a broad statement and then narrow toward your thesis. Similar setup to Outside Connection. Very versatile – works in a variety of situations. Dont be too broad or vague.

8. Global Statement Example: For generations, parents, religion, and schools have had a monopoly on morality. From these three sources, children traditionally acquired their ideas about what is right and wrong, which goals are important in life, and how other should be treated. Today, the media has become another powerful force influencing young people. Television is implanting in children negative values about sex, work, and family life. Broad Narrowing More Narrowing More Narrowing Thesis

9. Strategy #3: Using a Quote Always include a lead (TLQ) into the quote as well as a citation. Avoid quoting the literature that the essay will be about – quote a famous speaker or another novel. Always include a lead (TLQ) into the quote as well as a citation. Avoid quoting the literature that the essay will be about – quote a famous speaker or another novel.

10. Using a Quote Example: Noted philosopher Aristotle once said, Man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all. Lead into Quote Lead into Quote Transition Thesis Without societal controls that regulate behavior, there is nothing in this world more dangerous than human beings. In William Goldings novel Lord of the Flies, the schoolboys on the island have been released from the tether of civilization and are about to discover their own propensity for evil. The worst of them is Jack, the head choir boy, who changes from…

11. Strategy #4: Anecdote A brief story that relates to your thesis, no more than a few sentences. Unless its a personal essay, no first person. A brief story that relates to your thesis, no more than a few sentences. Unless its a personal essay, no first person.

12. Using an Anecdote Example: At a Michigan high school, the student body nominated Whitney Kropp, an awkward sophomore, for Homecoming Court. Without considering the humiliation that she might feel or how the town would react, Whitneys classmates congratulated themselves not only on their sense of humor but their ability to pull off a coordinated prank. At a Michigan high school, the student body nominated Whitney Kropp, an awkward sophomore, for Homecoming Court. Without considering the humiliation that she might feel or how the town would react, Whitneys classmates congratulated themselves not only on their sense of humor but their ability to pull off a coordinated prank. The students actions illustrate the cruelty that a large group can inflict on a single, vulnerable individual. In William Goldings Lord of the Flies, the schoolboys, stranded on a deserted island, prey upon Piggy, who has been made a scapegoat for many of the same reasons. The students actions illustrate the cruelty that a large group can inflict on a single, vulnerable individual. In William Goldings Lord of the Flies, the schoolboys, stranded on a deserted island, prey upon Piggy, who has been made a scapegoat for many of the same reasons. Anecdote Transition Thesis Piggy discovers that…

13. Strategy #5: Straw Man Begin with an idea that is the opposite of your true position. Then prove it wrong. Be sure to clearly transition from the false idea to your true position! Begin with an idea that is the opposite of your true position. Then prove it wrong. Be sure to clearly transition from the false idea to your true position!

14. Using Straw Man Example: People hear a great deal about divorces disastrous impact on children. They are bombarded with advice on how to make divorce as painless as possible for their offspring, and numerous heartbreaking stories about the confused, grieving children of divorced parents abound. Little attention has been paid, however, to a different effect that divorce may have on young people, for children of divorced parents may become skilled manipulators, playing off one parent against the other, worsening an already painful situation. In Making Them Pay, a novel by… People hear a great deal about divorces disastrous impact on children. They are bombarded with advice on how to make divorce as painless as possible for their offspring, and numerous heartbreaking stories about the confused, grieving children of divorced parents abound. Little attention has been paid, however, to a different effect that divorce may have on young people, for children of divorced parents may become skilled manipulators, playing off one parent against the other, worsening an already painful situation. In Making Them Pay, a novel by… FalseToTrueFalseToTrue FalseFalse

15. Strategy #6: Dramatic Fact or Statistic Works best on research papers, persuasive essays, etc. Works best on research papers, persuasive essays, etc. Not very useful for response to literature. Not very useful for response to literature. Be sure to have a reputable source and cite it. Be sure to have a reputable source and cite it. Works best on research papers, persuasive essays, etc. Works best on research papers, persuasive essays, etc. Not very useful for response to literature. Not very useful for response to literature. Be sure to have a reputable source and cite it. Be sure to have a reputable source and cite it.

16. Using Dramatic Fact Example: In a poll conducted by columnist Ann Landers, seventy percent of the respondents stated that, if they could live their lives over, they would choose not to have children. This startling statistic makes one wonder what kind of experience these people thought parenthood would be. Though parents want their children to share their values, follow their paths, and succeed where they failed, most parents also have unrealistic expectations for their children. In My Daughter, the Rocket Scientist, the autobiography of…

17. Finish your Thesis Statement before you attempt your Attention Grabber. Then, think backward. Does your thesis remind you of something, spark an idea? Which strategy will work best?

18. RESPONSE TO LITERATURE Lead the reader from your attention grabber to your THESIS STATEMENT. For an essay about a piece of literature, write 2 sentences about the literature and/or the author. End your Essay Introduction with your THESIS STATEMENT. Thats a total of at least 4 sentences.

19. Concluding Paragraphs Final Thoughts

20. Concluding Paragraph Restate thesis in different words. Restate thesis in different words. Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook. Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook. Make predictions about the topic. Make predictions about the topic. Restate thesis in different words. Restate thesis in different words. Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook. Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook. Make predictions about the topic. Make predictions about the topic. Then…Then…

21. Concluding Paragraph Restate thesis in different words. Restate thesis in different words. Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook. Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook. Make predictions about the topic. Make predictions about the topic. Include a universal statement, like a reverse global statement. Include a universal statement, like a reverse global statement. Last sentence should be insightful. Last sentence should be insightful. Restate thesis in different words. Restate thesis in different words. Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook. Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook. Make predictions about the topic. Make predictions about the topic. Include a universal statement, like a reverse global statement. Include a universal statement, like a reverse global statement. Last sentence should be insightful. Last sentence should be insightful.

22. Concluding Paragraph Last Sentence The last sentence is largely dependent on the hook in the opening paragraph. Imagine this is your VEHICLE. Try to exit the same car in which you started your journey.

23. Final Thoughts THINK about what you WRITE! That means if it sounds lame, dont write it! That means if it sounds lame, dont write it! Does what you wrote add value? Does what you wrote add value? Does it relate directly back to the thesis? Does it relate directly back to the thesis? Does it relate to the topic sentence? Does it relate to the topic sentence? Is the topic sentence arguable? Is the topic sentence arguable? THINK about what you WRITE! That means if it sounds lame, dont write it! That means if it sounds lame, dont write it! Does what you wrote add value? Does what you wrote add value? Does it relate directly back to the thesis? Does it relate directly back to the thesis? Does it relate to the topic sentence? Does it relate to the topic sentence? Is the topic sentence arguable? Is the topic sentence arguable?

24. Final Thoughts: Too much of ANYTHING gets BORING. Too much of ANYTHING gets BORING. That means the same word, phrasing, sentence beginning, hook, TLQ, or anything else for that matter. That means the same word, phrasing, sentence beginning, hook, TLQ, or anything else for that matter. Variety is the key. Variety is the key. Too much of ANYTHING gets BORING. Too much of ANYTHING gets BORING. That means the same word, phrasing, sentence beginning, hook, TLQ, or anything else for that matter. That means the same word, phrasing, sentence beginning, hook, TLQ, or anything else for that matter. Variety is the key. Variety is the key.

25. THE MOST IMPORTANT WRITING RULE! REWRITEREWRITE

26. For More Writing Info… Check out The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. It is a 90 page book that provides a great foundation for college-level writing expectations. Check out The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. It is a 90 page book that provides a great foundation for college-level writing expectations.

27. CLASS ASSIGNMENT 1. In groups of four, you will be creating an opening paragraph using one of the six strategies. 2. Working as a group, you will be given a thesis statement and you will do the rest. 3. Each group will recite their paragraph to the class. The class will vote and changes will be made. 4. Each group will write their finished paragraph in their journal. 1. In groups of four, you will be creating an opening paragraph using one of the six strategies. 2. Working as a group, you will be given a thesis statement and you will do the rest. 3. Each group will recite their paragraph to the class. The class will vote and changes will be made. 4. Each group will write their finished paragraph in their journal.

28. Attention Grabbers 1. The Outside Connection 1. The Outside Connection 2. The Global Statement 2. The Global Statement 3. Using a Quote 3. Using a Quote 4. An Anecdote 4. An Anecdote 5. The Straw Man 5. The Straw Man 6. The Dramatic Fact. 6. The Dramatic Fact. THESIS STATEMENT As chief of the tribe, Ralph is responsible for Jacks violent behavior because of his indecisiveness and his fear of losing control. Remember to include the author, the book, and detail about the book in the transition sentences!