( Topic/Thesis & Ending/Conclusion) Putting the T- E in TIDE :) ( Topic/Thesis & Ending/Conclusion) 1

Introductory Paragraphs Whether you're writing a five-paragraph essay, a research report, an entry on Facebook, a contest entry, or a Valentine message to your secret crush, you want to make a good impression. Your goals in writing the introduction to your essay are similar to your goals for the whole essay. In general, you want to interest the reader and make a convincing argument for your point of view. Specifically though, the introduction has some particular goals. Here are goals for you to seek in writing an introduction to any piece of writing: 1.Grab the reader's attention. (1-2 sentences) 2.Provide any necessary background information. (2-3 sentences) 3.State your thesis clearly and concisely. (1 sentence) Establish an appropriate tone and level of formality of the essay 2

1.Grab the reader's attention. (1-2 sentences) 2.Provide any necessary background information. (2-3 sentences) -Use the background information on Rome that you have from your notes/in the packet - Give the reader some background info on Rome (what Rome was like right before it started to decline) 3.State your thesis clearly and concisely. (1 sentence) -Your thesis should answer the question “What were the Primary Reasons for the Fall of Rome?” 4.Establish an appropriate tone and level of formality of the essay

Thesis Statement The summary sentence that supports your opinions and ideas The LAST sentence in the introduction paragraph For Example, it should answer the question- “What were the Primary Reasons for the Fall of Rome?”

Why should your essay contain a Thesis Statement? To put your main ideas into one summary sentence To better organize and develop the opinion/argument of your essay To provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument

How to Generate a Thesis Statement The Thesis should answer a single question that will give the main idea of your essay. Question= What were the primary reasons for the fall of Rome? Your first step is to understand the specific question. The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

Example Question: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in an eighth grade class?” Answer/THESIS: “The potential benefits of using computers in an eighth grade class are …” (3 reasons/ideas)

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Sentence from a Weak One A strong thesis takes some sort of stand. (gives your opinion) A strong thesis expresses a main idea and is specific.

Strong Thesis Statement Question: Should middle school’s serve soda at lunch? Answer: Middle School’s should not serve soda at lunch because of soda’s high sugar content which contributes to poor nutrition, and bad behavior in class.

HINT Many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like “because”, “since”, “so”, “although”, “unless”, and “however”.

Forming a Thesis Read the question. Figure out your opinion. Brainstorm to find 3 reasons to support your opinion. Form the thesis statement that answers your question by restating the question. The three reasons should also be included in the thesis.

Write your thesis statement Example Should cell phones be allowed in school? On your paper brainstorm 3 reasons why cell phones should or should not be allowed at school. Write your thesis statement

Cell phones should be allowed in school because REASON 1, REASON 2, REASON 3.

Practice Should schools keep detentions (LOP) or eliminate them? Should teachers in 7th grade give homework? Should schools change to year round school?

The ending of your essay! CONCLUSIONS The ending of your essay!

Conclusions are often the most difficult part of an essay to write, and many writers feel that they have nothing left to say after having written the paper. A writer needs to keep in mind that the conclusion is often what a reader remembers best.

A conclusion should stress the importance of the thesis statement, give the essay a sense of completeness, and leave a final impression on the reader.

Synthesize, don't summarize Suggestions Answer the question "So What?" Show your readers why this paper was important. Show them that your paper was meaningful and useful. Synthesize, don't summarize Don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. They have read it. Show them how the points you made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together. Redirect your readers Give your reader something to think about, perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" world.