Welcome to Unit 4

Welcome to Seminar 4: Introductions and Conclusions  The introduction is one of the most important aspects of any essay. It can help to generate interest, as well present the thesis and set the tone of the work.  The conclusion can add closure to the essay. Readers feel satisfied when writers use good conclusions.

Unit 4 Work—What’s going on this unit Reading: Introductions and Conclusions. Seminar: More on introductions and conclusions. If you have a chance before the seminar, read the week’s reading, select one of the techniques listed in the reading, and prepare a sample intro or conclusion to share with the class. Discussion: We’re talking about introductions in our discussion this week. Project: There is no project due this week!

Introductions Essays have three parts: 1. Intro 2. Body 3. Conclusion

Why are introductions important?  First impressions are lasting impressions!  If your introduction is poor, your readers may stop there, or continue on with the wrong assumptions about your essay.  If it’s good, even captivating, your readers will continue enthusiastically.

What should an introduction do?  4 main things:  Get your readers’ attention and interest  Identify the specific topic of the report  Conceptualize your argument or discussion  Explain how your paper is organized

1) Get your readers’ interest  Write about a topic that interests you  Consider why you chose to write about your topic or the specific aspect of your topic  Tell a story or an anecdote that connects to your discussion  Begin with an influential and interesting quote that explains the importance of your topic

2) Identify the specific topic  Use specific terms  Purpose  Specific point-of-view  Avoid saying “my paper is about…”

Thesis statement  A concise sentence or two that states what the essay is about  gives direction to the essay  conventionally placed at the end of the introductory paragraph

Introductions – Thesis Statements  The thesis statement is the cornerstone of your process essay. It almost always is presented in the introduction—do NOT fall for the temptation of holding it until the conclusion to add to the “suspense.”

Introductions – Thesis Statements  Your thesis is your central idea stated in one sentence (occasionally two sentences).

3) Conceptualize your argument  Add the definitions or background necessary for your readers to approach the first paragraph but…  Don’t give it all away now!

4) Explain how your paper is organized  Tell the reader how you are going to talk about your topic  Indicate the sections of your essay and something about the order in which they will be discussed

How long do introductions have to be?  Introductions vary in length according to your purpose, writing style, the complexity of your topic, and the length of your essay

How can you “hook” your reader?

1. Provide background information and provide an overview.  Despite obvious historical and cultural differences, Israel and Ireland share striking similarities. Both are small--each has a population of about five million- yet significant nations. Israel is a narrow sliver of desert on the Mediterranean, Ireland an island on the fringe of Europe.

2. Tell a pertinent story (a narrative either real or hypothetical).  Driving east out of Gettysburg on a country blacktop, the gray Bronco ahead of us passed through a rural crossroad just as a small pickup truck tried to take a left turn. The Bronco swerved, but slammed into the pickup. We immediately slowed to a crawl as we passed the scene.

3. Explain why the topic is important.  Today many men in America are walking around with and dying of breast cancer, and they don’t even realize it until it is too late. It is essential that every man discuss the possibilities of having breast cancer with their doctors.

4. Present images or use descriptions.  One dark and stormy night, the wind howled and branches of trees were falling like autumn leaves."

5. Present an intriguing problem or raise a provocative question.  If teaching abstinence in the schools is bad, then why is the rate of teen pregnancies falling in those schools?

6. Present an opposing viewpoint.  Although pro-lifers say abortion is killing, one man bombed an abortion clinic in the name of being pro-life.

7. Use a one-sentence quote, or several lines of a poem, or a few lines from a song  Who was “looking back on the track for a little green bag? “ And what was in the bag? And whey was it green?

Quotation...  Bill Gates said: “I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.”

8. Begin with a question or a paragraph of questions.  How is Windows 7 different from Vista?

9. Use a headline from a newspaper  "New Twenty's Being Counterfeited", News Press, November 8, 2003.

10. Begin with a shocking statement.  More than 2,000 men will be diagnosed this year with prostate cancer. Will you be one of them?

11. Use a definition.  A computer virus is defined as…

Conclusions  The conclusion is really your last though, statement, or opinion on the matter. It is the "zinger", what you want your readers to remember.

What are some of the ways you can conclude your essay?  You can use any of the methods of introduction or you can …..

Conclusions.  1. Restate the thesis.  2. Offer a solution.  3. Summarize (although sometimes this can be boring).  4. Leave the readers with a question.  5. Use a quotation.  (more)

Conclusions:  6. Repeat the first line. For example…  A student began with the introduction: "Fort Myers is my home; Sanibel is my Eden." and concluded with the exact same sentence.

Conclusions  7. Offer a challenge.  8. Tell a joke or a witty saying.  9. Call for further research  10. Speculation

More… 1. Suggest further exploration of the topic 2. Look to the future of the topic 3. Challenge the audience to take action 4. Answer any remaining questions