HOW TO WRITE EXPOSITORY PROSE: An Excellent Introductory Paragraph WHS English Department

Introduction The more you understand about writing techniques, the more you will be able to visualize the writing process. In the next few slides, you will learn: about the necessary parts of a composition, ways to structure a composition, about the necessary parts of a composition, ways to structure a composition, what a thesis sentence looks like, what a thesis sentence looks like, and the main parts of the introduction to a composition. and the main parts of the introduction to a composition. This will help you get stated with your own composition (essay).

Structure What is Structure? Structure in an essay is the pattern or design of the composition. Structure (a.k.a unity, coherence, emphasis) hold the essay together. In planning an essay the writer is building a structure similar to the skeleton of the human body.

We all have the same number of parts, but… it’s the muscles and tissue of the body which give it its uniqueness.

The Thesis The writer decides on an overall pattern and develops a firm thesis with: A subject, A subject, A direction, A direction, And several (let’s just say, three) reasons And several (let’s just say, three) reasons There is formula that can help you to form your thesis statement…

The Thesis Sentence Formula (BE AWARE, THIS IS JUST ONE WAY TO DO THIS; THERE ARE OTHER ACCEPTABLE FORMATS) SUBJECT + DIRECTION + 3 REASONS IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT OF THE PAPER Swimming Indicate the direction the paper will go is a demanding sport because it Give reasons why (we’ll use three) the discussion should go in that direction requires proper breathing techniques, proper strokes, and proper body conditioning.

Let’s Practice the Thesis Sentence a. Money is _______________ because 1)_____________, 2)__________, 3)___________________. b. Patriotism is _____________because 1)____________, 2)___________, 3)____________________.

The Introduction After writing the thesis state to guide your thoughts through the essay, you need to get started. The first sentence should, like a bear trap, SNAP at the reader. There are several ways to engage the reader:

1.State the CENTRAL IDEA of the opening sentence: Courtship is as natural as breathing. 2. Show the SIGNIFICANCE of the subject in the opening sentence: Courtship affects every normal person. 3.Give INTERESTING BACKGROUND on the subject in the opening sentence: Courtship is the wooing of a man or woman; it comes from “courtly behavior” and refers to courtesy. 4. Use LITERARY DEVICES in the opener: a. Analogy: compare two things (ie. Comparing courtship to a journey of exploration) b. Allusion: refer to a famous person (ie. Emulating Napoleon o the field of battle) c. Simile: compare using like or as; (ie cheeks like roses…) d. Metaphor: he ruled his class with an iron fist

5. Use COMPARISON AND CONTRAST: Many wise words are spoken in jest, but they can’t compare with the number of words spoken in earnest. 6. Pose a CHALLENGING QUESTION: How can anyone measure beauty? 7. Present a STARTLING STATISTIC or FACT: Thirty percent of college freshmen never finish college. 8. Make an UNUSUAL STATEMENT: I heartily endorse the motto, “The best government is no government at all.” 9. Make a REMARK THAT DRAWS ATTENTION in sound or meaning. They’re there playing their share of music to Cher. “It takes on to know on.” (Genius knows genius.)

10. Begin with an IMPORTANT QUOTATION: John Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” (Kennedy 1961). Write your opening sentence: _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ ______.

After you have decided on your thesis sentence, and after you have written the opening sentence, you should ask yourself… How is this essay topic important to the reader? How is this essay topic important to the reader? Maybe the topic is a health issue. Maybe it is a social issue. Maybe it is a financial issue. Maybe the topic is a health issue. Maybe it is a social issue. Maybe it is a financial issue.

Now you try it. Give two arguments that persuade the reader to read about your subject: Give two arguments that persuade the reader to read about your subject: 1.__________________________________ _____________ 2.__________________________________ _____________

Let’s Review: When the introduction is complete, it should have an interest grabber as an opening sentence. When the introduction is complete, it should have an interest grabber as an opening sentence. It should have a sentence or two explaining why the topic is important to the reader. It should have a sentence or two explaining why the topic is important to the reader. It should have a thesis sentence in three parts: subject + direction + supporting reasons It should have a thesis sentence in three parts: subject + direction + supporting reasons

Practice: Practice writing your introductory paragraph, using all three parts of an introduction that you have developed: Practice writing your introductory paragraph, using all three parts of an introduction that you have developed: The opener, The opener, Two arguments Two arguments Thesis sentence Thesis sentence

When finished, check for: Does your introduction have an interesting opener? Does your introduction have an interesting opener? Are the arguments solid? Are the arguments solid? Does the thesis have three parts: Does the thesis have three parts: subject, direction, (three) reasons