In the Beginning: A Writing Task Mrs. Jarosz and Mrs. Mancuso

Writing an Introduction What do you know about writing an introduction?

Elements of a Good Introduction Hook - draw readers attention to your writing piece. Examples: questions, statements Identify topic – general; utilize information given in your historical context Bridge statement – specific; briefly mention a few key ideas given in your task that you will address in the body paragraphs

Topic Sentence - Question Eating Bugs Some insects, such as butterflies and ladybugs, are quite beautiful. But, did you know that many bugs are also edible and filled with protein?

Topic Sentence - Statement Athletics for All! In today’s society, we consider an active lifestyle an important key to good health and full life.

Hook / Topic Sentence

Bridge Statement - examples (remember the information for your bridge statements comes from the TASK in the Writing Task)

Introduction (p. 8) The making of history. Have you ever wondered how humans came from Asia to America? Early people traveled to North and South America in many ways and for many reasons. The movement of these people changed the course of history.

Writing the Perfect Body Paragraph Use your Bridge Statements (TASK) as your main ideas for each body paragraph

Basic Parts of a Paragraph A basic paragraph has five standard components/sentences. These parts are: A topic sentence (bridge statement) A concrete detail: example or specific detail Two sentences with additional details, commentary and/or analysis Concluding sentence

Topic Sentence A topic sentence states what the paragraph will be about. (Bridge Statement from TASK) It prepares your reader for what is to come. Example:

Concrete Details Specific details. An example, quote or paraphrase that supports your point. Information can come from a book or another source. Example:

Additional Details Additional details, commentary and/or analysis to support your Bridge Statement. This information helps prove and relate back to your Topic Sentence. Tell the reader why this is important! Early people traveled to North and South America in many different ways. One way was traveling across the land bridge, also known as Beringia. It was formed by glaciers during the Ice Age and was 18 miles long by 1,000 miles wide. Another way the tribes traveled was by following many migrating animals. Hunters saw the birds fly south and the animals go around the ice, so they followed their paths. The area was becoming overpopulated so the animals and the nomads moved south.

Concluding Sentence Two purposes: To sum up what the paragraph was about. Provide a smooth transition into next paragraph. Example:

1st Body Paragraph (p. 9) Early people traveled to North and South America in many different ways. First, some of these people arrived in North America by land. During this time period, the Ice Age, they would use a grassy earth bridge, called Beringia, to migrate to the Americas. Now called the Bering Sea, it was 18 miles long and 1,000 miles wide. Another way people traveled to the new world was by sea. Seagoers were good sailors, in boats covered with animal skins. Sailing enabled them to explore and settle along the coastline. Tribes and people followed animals for hunting and that led them to where nobody had gone before.

Writing the Conclusion Just as every essay has a clear beginning, it should have a clear ending!

Concluding Paragraph Two Parts: Summary statement: one or two sentences which restate the TASK in a fresh way to reinforce the essay’s main idea. Clincher: a final thought which should create a lasting impression on the reader

Summary Statement The summary statement is an effective way to start your concluding paragraph because it helps to drive home the ideas you’ve expressed in your essay.

The Clincher The clincher is your last opportunity to connect with the reader. One way to make the most of this moment is to return to the technique you used for your HOOK (introduction).