Poetry – Drafting the Introduction & Conclusion What type of information should go in an introductory paragraph?

The Introductory Paragraph Start with a “hook,” an attention-grabbing statement related to your topic. (1 Sentence) Connect your hook to a section providing relevant background about the poems. (3 Sentences) End with a thesis statement. (1 Sentence) Thesis: Fathers have many different characteristics which can be seen in the poems “Those Winter Sundays” and “The Gift.”

The First Sentence Is the grader’s first impression of your paper and sets his/her expectations. Sets the overall tone for the entire paper. AVOID using: a quote, a question, or a dictionary definition. Instead, TRY: your own definition of a related topic like fatherhood or characteristics, your own description of a theme, or a list of adjectives describing the poems.

The Body Paragraphs Using your writing plan, create comprehensive body paragraphs – follow in the exact order. Topic Sentence Transition (to start, to begin, first, etc) plus detail 1 Transition (for example, to illustrate) plus lead-in

Combining Lead-In and Quote If your lead-in is a complete sentence, use a : Lead-In: “Quote” (line #). If your lead-in is an incomplete sentence, use a, Lead-in, “Quote” (line #).

Explanation After your quote Meant to explain HOW the father shows this character trait Should be at least two sentences and has to prove a point NOT just your lead-in restated

2nd and 3rd Detail Transitions Transitions to introduce Detail 2 To continue, next, second, moreover, in addition, to add Transitions to introduce Detail 3 Finally, to end, to continue, to add, in addition, moreover, third

The Concluding Paragraph Start with a closing transition and a restatement of the thesis. (1 Sentence) Summarize the main ideas of each body paragraph. (2 Sentences) End with a closing transition and a clincher that makes a lasting impression. (1 Sentence)

The Last Sentence Makes your paper memorable and sets it apart from the rest. AVOID using: a quote, a question, and first/second person pronouns like you, your, I, we, our, us. Instead, TRY: a message gained by readers, the relevance of your topic today, a connection back to the opening line of the introduction, and third person pronouns like the audience, one, a person, a reader.

Rules to Follow Do not use any contractions in your paper: Don’t, Won’t, Can’t, Haven’t, etc. Keep your paper in third person: Do not use I, me, my, mine, we, our, us, you, yours, you’re, etc.