1. Drafting an Intro Elements of Writing

2. Introduction Your introduction is a bridge or an opening that allows the reader to see what the paper will be about It is an important roadmap for the rest of the paper The introduction is what makes readers want to read your paper Remember, your thesis statement will be the LAST SENTENCE of this paragraph.

3. Strategies for Writing an Effective Introduction Start by thinking the prompt you want to explain Remember, you are not going to start talking about the novel in your first sentence, instead you will start with an attention-getter/hook that generally relates to your main topic (thesis statement) The attention grabber/hook is the first sentence of your introduction

4. Introduction: Attention Grabber/Hook Types of attention grabbers/hooks:  A fact or statistic that relates to your thesis  A quotation  An anecdote (short story) that relates to your topic  A thought-provoking question (no you and always answer questions)  A dictionary definition that connects to your thesis  Remember, you can’t use 1 st person (I, me, we, etc..) or 2 nd person (you, your, yours)  Also avoid stating, In this paper I will discuss…this is unnecessary (and you are not to use “I” anyway!)

5. Connecting the hook to the thesis The next information in your introduction should connect the hook to your thesis. Give comments and background information on the topic in order to connect it to your thesis. This is where you will introduce the author and the title of the novel You can also choose to provide brief statements connecting to your 3 points that will b further developed in your paper

6. Example Introduction Essay Prompt: How does Melinda discover her voice? Hook: Maya Angelou, celebrated poet and civil rights activist once said, “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with more meaning.” ---Attention Grabbing Device—Direct Quote

7. Introduction--Background One’s voice is extremely important to the self. It is important to be able to take a stand and freely express one’s point of view. All people should have the right to voice their feelings and opinions. In Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel Speak, Melinda Sordino has lost her ability to use her voice and speak up due to a traumatic event. The novel takes the reader on a journey through Melinda’s life as she struggles to find her voice. ***Author and novel title mention in intro

8. Thesis Through finding solace in an abandoned closet, being in Mr. Freeman’s class, and defeating Andy, Melinda finally found a way to be heard. This statement is the last sentence of the introduction and the primary focus of the paper. The main point is in red The three points (three body paragraphs) are underlined

9. Now, put it all together Maya Angelou, celebrated poet and civil rights activist once said, “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with more meaning.” One’s voice is extremely important to the self. It is important to be able to take a stand and freely express one’s point of view. All people should have the right to voice their feelings and opinions. In Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel Speak, Melinda Sordino has lost her ability to use her voice and speak up due to a traumatic event. The novel takes the reader on a journey through Melinda’s life as she struggles to find her voice. Through finding solace in an abandoned closet, being in Mr. Freeman’s class, and defeating Andy, Melinda finally found a way to be heard.

10. Sample Intro Hook Are all students so alike that there should only be a “one size fits all” format of education? No, each child is an individual with intellectual strengths and weaknesses that differ from any other person. Attention grabber is a thought provoking question with a response

11. Background info leading to thesis or Main Point As for development and growth, every student needs his/her own educational plan that might place him/her in self-contained, remedial, or even advanced classroom settings. Providing the same curriculum, expectations, and standards’ demands in one educational “setting” or classroom is not only hindering the student’s success in education, but it is also “labeling” every student as cognitively identical instead of encouraging academic individuality.

12. Providing a definition for Background Info Differentiation is a teaching technique that is used to cultivate the educational demands of each student in order to tailor to his/her own academic strong points and limitations. This definition precedes or comes right before thesis because the main point is about differentiation, which must be defined in introduction so that the reader is fully informed of upcoming explanation.

13. Thesis Statement In today’s society where a student’s learning abilities are so different from one person’s to the next, a differentiated curriculum is necessary in order to “individualize” each student’s learning process, modify the material to meet all students’ needs, and to ensure academic success for every learner. Main argument is in green 3 reasons/points are underlined

14. Put It All Together Are all students so alike that there should only be a “one size fits all” format of education? No, each child is an individual with intellectual strengths and weaknesses that differ from any other person. As for development and growth, every student needs his/her own educational plan that might place him/her in self-contained, remedial, or even advanced classroom settings. Providing the same curriculum, expectations, and standards’ demands in one educational “setting” or classroom is not only hindering the student’s success in education, but it is also “labeling” every student as cognitively identical instead of encouraging academic individuality. Differentiation is a teaching technique that is used to cultivate the educational demands of each student in order to tailor to his/her own academic strong points and

15. Intro Continued Limitations. In today’s society where a student’s learning abilities are so different from one person’s to the next, a differentiated curriculum is necessary in order to “individualize” each student’s learning process, modify the material to meet all students’ needs, and to ensure academic success for every learner

16. Your Turn You will now be given a graphic organizer. For HW tonight, draft a hook, thesis, and your 3 topic sentences which should include your 3 reasons. Start looking for 3 quotes, one per body paragraph that ties to your supporting reason to explain, develop, and/or prove your thesis. You will finish the quotes, citations, and transitions on Wednesday in class or for homework.