Introductions and conclusions

Starting and stopping your paper

Purpose Introduction: To make your audience want to read

your paper indicated the subject of the papero Give a road map of what will be covered in the paper

( thesis). • When the reader is done reading the introduction they

should know what you’re going to prove and how you will prove it.

• “Doorway” to the more involved analysis of the paper. • Tip: Write your body paragraphs first, then write your

Introduction

Conclusion: Gives your paper a definite end, closureo Restates thesis in a different wayo Summarizes ideas/pulls the ideas together. o Ends with a closing lasting thought.

Format of an Introduction

1. Hook/Attention getter/Grabber: to “hook” your reader’s attention and make them want to read your paper.

2. Background about topic: An explanation about the topic/why it is an issue. A bridge to make a smooth connection between the grabber and the thesis statement

3. Thesis statement: It clearly states the topic of the essay, expresses your opinion or point of view towards the topic, and indicates the structure of the essay

DON’TS for Introductions

NEVER, never, never …1. Begin your introduction with an apology!

1. “I’m sorry that my essay is bad…”

2. Suggest you don’t know what you’re talking about or that you haven’t spent very much time and effort in researching your topic!

3. Write: “I’m not really sure, but I think...” or “In my humble opinion...”

4. Begin a paper by announcing what you’re doing – don’t ever write: “In this paper I will be talking about...” or “The purpose of this essay is to ...” or “This essay will discuss...” or ANY variation of these boring, lame and redundant beginnings.

Types of Hooks/Attention

Getters Anecdotes-Short Stories or narrativeso Writing about teen suicide, tell a story about a girl who

tried to kill herself. Quotes-Word-for-word statements that will lead

the reader to a point you are making Facts- Statistical statements

o 85% of teenagers in Las Vegas have no idea how to apply for college.

Descriptive details- Concrete images that appeal to the senses/paint a picture in the reader’s head.

Weakest Attention Grabbers: Don’t use.

Rhetorical question: Asking a question that you want your audience to think about, but give you an answer for.o Do you like staying up late every night doing your

homework? Define a key term:

o According to Webster’s Dictionary, suicide is defined as……

Thesis statement ONE SENTENCE ONLY! States your position/focus and lists your arguments/points. Provides an outline for the essay to follow LAST SENTENCE IN THE INTRODUCTION Answers the question how or why

Formula:o Main argument + connector of result + 3 pieces of support

o ___________ is _____________ because of

(topic) (opinion) ____________, ___________, __________. ( your reasons) 

o Examples of connectors of result: since, because, or for these reasons

ExampleExample:

Topic: Drinking water in the U.S.Thesis: The safety of the United States' drink water

has been compromised by outdated practices and harmful byproduct.

The topic has been narrowed from Drinking water to the SAFTEY of the drinking water.

The opinion is specific, provable, and not obvious. Do not say “is bad” or “is good”

List your arguments/reasons.

The five kinds of weak thesis statements are ones that

1.Make no claim This paper will tell why college is important. 2. Are obviously true or a statement of fact.  Attending college will make you grow as a

person.3. Restate conventional wisdom. To succeed in college, one must study.4. Offer personal conviction as the basis for the claim I feel that college will make you successful in life. 5. Make an overly broad claim. College is the key to the future.

“Conclusion ” Do…

o Restate your thesis but in different wordso Recall your opening paragraph in your closing.o Leave your reader with a strong image that will stay with

the reader long after they are done reading your paper.o Use Emotional language that will touch the readerso Connect your topic to a bigger picture ( “so what”)o Have a final thought

“Conclusion” Do NOT…

o repeat your thesis exactly.o add any new points that you haven’t addressed in your

paper. o apologize for your paper, thank the reader for reading

your paper, or say that you hope the reader liked the paper.

o Don’t use “In conclusion”

Formula Formula for conclusion

1. Restate your thesis2. Summarize your ideas3. End with a lasting thought

• the vivid image/story you started in the introduction• a quote, especially if you started with one. • Call to action: Urging your reader to do whatever you were

persuading them to do in your paper.

Introductions start broad and become specific

Conclusions start very specific and become broad

Connecting the intro and conclusion

1. Write a strong introduction with specific details, strong action verbs, and adjectives.

2. Underline some of the images, specific details.3. Use those exact words in your conclusion.

Teenagers in many American cities have been involved in more gangs in the last five years than ever before. These gangs of teens have been committing a lot of violent crimes. The victims of these crimes are both gang members and people outside of gangs. Many people do not want to travel to areas in our cities because of the danger from this problem.  For this terrible situation to stop, it is going to take a combined effort on the part of many people including excellent, supervised after-school programs, more jobs available for teens, and healthy family relationships which will all go a long way towards ending this crisis in our society.

With a combined effort of schools, business and family, the teenage gang crisis can be stopped. People will be able to travel in the cities again without the fear of being a victim of a violent crime due to the gang activity. Together, as a community, the city and society can be reclaimed