Text Response Essay Introduction Structure PPT Yr9 English, Unit 3 – Lesson 11

Introduction structure ESSAY PLANNING Introduction structure

WHY DO WE WRITE ESSAYS? Essays are an important communication tool that develop writing skills quickly. They are a very common assessment tool used by schools. Essays are now the main form of assessment for VCE and university. You are expected to follow simple rules and conventions and this Power Point presentation will help you to gain the basic skills you need.

The style of essay you are writing in this unit is an…… Analytical Text Response

SAMPLE TEXT RESPONSE ESSAY TOPIC The Artful Dodger is an evil villain. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

PARTS OF AN ESSAY There are three main parts of an essay Part 1 – Introduction Part 2 – Body paragraphs Part 3 - Conclusion

PART 1 INTRODUCTION – An introduction generally consists of three main parts 1 – Thesis statement – a statement related directly to the topic (use other words) 2 – Background information 3 – Essay mapping sentence

1. THESIS STATEMENT The thesis statement restates the essay question or topic using different words The thesis statement makes clear your contention. Essay question – Thesis statement – The Artful Dodger is an evil villain. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Despite being surrounded by villains attempting to groom him for their own purposes, The Artful Dodger is actually a thoughtful, caring boy.

2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION This sentence (or more) provides context and background information about the thesis/topic. Background Information Early 19th century London is no place for an orphan, and in Charles Dickens’ classic tale Oliver Twist, Dodger manages to survive only by resorting to crime. There are, however, numerous occasions when Dodger’s true character shines through and the audience sees him for what he really is.

3. Essay Map Sentence Main ideas: An essay map sentence lists the 3 or more main ideas your paragraphs will explore in the order in which they appear in the essay. Dodger is a vulnerable 10 year old child who shows compassion for a destitute Oliver Twist when he arrives in London, and a deep sense of grief for Nancy when she is murdered. Main ideas: - Dodger is a vulnerable 10 year old boy. Each of these main ideas will be the focus of a body paragraph. - He shows compassion for Oliver when he arrives. - He grieves for Nancy when she dies.

WHAT DOES THE INTRO LOOK LIKE WHEN PUT TOGETHER? Despite being surrounded by villains attempting to groom him for their own purposes, The Artful Dodger is actually a thoughtful, caring boy. Early 19th century London is no place for an orphan, and in Charles Dickens’ classic tale Oliver Twist, Dodger manages to survive only by resorting to crime. There are, however, numerous occasions when Dodger’s true character shines through and the audience sees him for what he really is. Dodger is a vulnerable 10 year old child who shows compassion for a destitute Oliver Twist when he arrives in London, and a deep sense of grief for Nancy when she is murdered. Thesis – Background Info – Essay Map sentence

Got it? GREAT! Let’s try it out.

SCRAMBLED EXAMPLE Can you put the introduction together again?

THE CORRECT ORDER Success and talent on the sporting field alone does not make you a good person. Sporting talent is a reoccurring theme throughout Sue Lawson’s novel After, and in the small rural community of Winter Creek, it is a trait that is valued highly. The good characters in this text are the ones who manage to extend that talent beyond the boundary line and demonstrate a greater social awareness. While Jack Fewen uses his status as a star footballer to manipulate his peers, Callum deflects attention from his sporting talent and stands up for Luke Bennet whose tragic loss of sporting talent has not diminished his value as a person.

THE CORRECT ORDER Thesis – Background Info – Essay Map sentence Success and talent on the sporting field alone does not make you a good person. Sporting talent is a reoccurring theme throughout Sue Lawson’s novel After, and in the small rural community of Winter Creek, it is a trait that is valued highly. The good characters in this text are the ones who manage to extend that talent beyond the boundary line and demonstrate a greater social awareness. While Jack Fewen uses his status as a star footballer to manipulate his peers, Callum deflects attention from his sporting talent and stands up for Luke Bennet whose tragic loss of sporting talent has not diminished his value as a person. Thesis – Background Info – Essay Map sentence

Now it’s over to you. You have an essay topic. You have a contention. You have established three main points to support your contention. Use this structure to bring these things together in an introduction.