Introductions & Conclusions Where to Start?

The Introduction

Essentially 3 Parts  1) Hook  2) Elaborate on hook and link to thesis/larger body of essay  3) Thesis statement

Get the Reader’s Attention!  Relate a dramatic anecdote.  Expose a commonly held belief.  Present surprising facts and statistics.  Use a fitting quotation.  Ask a provocative question.  Tell a vivid personal story.  Define a key term.  Present an interesting observation.  Create a unique scenario.

The Background Information…  Provide a “bridge” from your introductory statement (called a “hook”) to your thesis statement.  Elaborate on your opening statement to provide context for the reader while linking it to the overall ideas you will be addressing in your essay.

Thesis Statement   Should be one detailed sentence in length   Tells the reader what the entire essay is going to be about

The Conclusion

A conclusion should…   Stress the importance of the thesis statement (which essentially re-states the sum of your essay)   Give the essay a sense of completeness   Leave a final impression on the reader

DO re-state; DO NOT repeat  Re-state your thesis statement, but don’t use the exact same wording. DO NOT copy and paste your thesis from your introduction into your conclusion! Your reader has already read your paper and doesn’t need a repeat!

CONSIDER…CONSIDER…  Answer the question, “So what?” and show your readers why your paper is important.  Synthesize; don’t summarize. Don’t simply repeat what you’ve already written about.  Redirect your readers. Give your reader something to think about.  Create a new meaning for your reader by showing how your ideas work together.  REMEMBER: This is your last chance to make an impression on your reader! Don’t waste that opportunity!

Sources Cited… Getting the Reader’s Attention ideas taken from Some Conclusion information taken from l. l

Writing Introductions…  -Read your prompt.  -Brainstorm first as a group. THEN   Write an attention-getter.  Link to the context of the rest of your paper.  Write your thesis statement with three main points.

 Recently there has been debate on whether or not schools should shorten the week to only four school days but with each day being longer. Think of whether such a change in the length of the school week will be beneficial to students’ academic and social progress or if it will hurt their progress and why. Write to persuade an adult of your opinion.  The principal is considering adding an extra elective class for next year. This is a class that is not currently offered on the registration form. Think of an elective you would like your school to add and why.  Many teens today have cell phones; think about whether or not cell phones should be allowed in school and why.  Three guests can be invited to dinner. The guests can be anyone, living or dead. Think about whom you would invite and why. Write to explain why you would invite these three guests.

 Your history teacher wants to plan an unforgettable yet educational, week-long field trip. Think about a field trip destination that interests you and why. Write to convince that your desired destination is the best choice.