In the Beginning: A Writing Task Mrs. Jarosz and Mrs. Mancuso
Writing an Introduction What do you know about writing an introduction?
Elements of a Good Introduction Hook - draw readers attention to your writing piece. Examples: questions, statements Identify topic – general; utilize information given in your historical context Bridge statement – specific; briefly mention a few key ideas given in your task that you will address in the body paragraphs
Topic Sentence - Question Eating Bugs Some insects, such as butterflies and ladybugs, are quite beautiful. But, did you know that many bugs are also edible and filled with protein?
Topic Sentence - Statement Athletics for All! In today’s society, we consider an active lifestyle an important key to good health and full life.
Hook / Topic Sentence
Bridge Statement - examples (remember the information for your bridge statements comes from the TASK in the Writing Task)
Introduction (p. 8) Have you ever walked across a 1,000 mile ice platform to follow your food to survive? 15,000 to 30,000 years ago, early people traveled to North America from Asia. Nomadic people migrated from Asia in many different ways and traveled to the new world for many different reasons. The movement of these people changed the course of history.
Writing the Perfect Body Paragraph Use your Bridge Statements (TASK) as your main ideas for each body paragraph
Basic Parts of a Paragraph A basic paragraph has five standard components/sentences. These parts are: A topic sentence (bridge statement) A concrete detail: example or specific detail Two sentences with additional details, commentary and/or analysis Concluding sentence
Topic Sentence A topic sentence states what the paragraph will be about. (Bridge Statement from TASK) It prepares your reader for what is to come. Example:
Concrete Details Specific details. An example, quote or paraphrase that supports your point. Information can come from a book or another source. Example:
Additional Details Additional details, commentary and/or analysis to support your Bridge Statement. This information helps prove and relate back to your Topic Sentence. Tell the reader why this is important! Early people traveled to North and South America in many different ways. One way was traveling across the land bridge, also known as Beringia. It was formed by glaciers during the Ice Age and was 18 miles long by 1,000 miles wide. Another way the tribes traveled was by following many migrating animals. Hunters saw the birds fly south and the animals go around the ice, so they followed their paths. The area was becoming overpopulated so the animals and the nomads moved south.
Concluding Sentence Two purposes: To sum up what the paragraph was about. Provide a smooth transition into next paragraph. Example:
1st Body Paragraph (p. 9) Nomadic people traveled to North and South America in many different ways. One way was by land. The early people traveled over Beringia, a land bridge. The land the nomads walked on was wide, grassy, and icey. It was 18 miles across and 1,000 miles wide. The tribes followed the animals for food. Another way the nomads traveled was by sea, following the Pacific Coast. The sea was safer than traveling by land. The seagoers used boats covered with animal hides and they were very good sailors. As you can see, the early people traveled to North and South America by land and sea.
Writing the Conclusion Just as every essay has a clear beginning, it should have a clear ending!
Concluding Paragraph Two Parts: Summary statement: one or two sentences which restate the TASK in a fresh way to reinforce the essay’s main idea. Clincher: a final thought which should create a lasting impression on the reader
Summary Statement The summary statement is an effective way to start your concluding paragraph because it helps to drive home the ideas you’ve expressed in your essay.
The Clincher The clincher is your last opportunity to connect with the reader. One way to make the most of this moment is to return to the technique you used for your HOOK (introduction).