Introductions & Conclusions in Writing A PowerPoint Presentation Explanations by McDougal Littell Inc. © 2001. Writing examples by Sarah A. Pollock, 2006, 2008.

Introductions The introduction of a piece of writing serves two purposes: It gives the audience a clear idea of your topic and how you plan to discuss or explain it. 2. It captures the attention of your audience – that is, it makes the reader want to read more.

Begin with a startling or interesting fact. #1 Begin with a startling or interesting fact. Lung cancer kills more human beings than any other cancer. I wonder if the day will come that one of my dear relatives, Auntie Gail, will be diagnosed with lung cancer. She has smoked since she was fourteen.

Use vivid, detailed description to capture the audience’s imagination #2 The anticipation was mounting. The noise of the crowd was growing louder and louder by the minute. Our excitement was evident in our wide eyes. Adrenaline pumped through our veins. Finally we heard the Rocky Theme being played by our beloved pep band, and knew it was time. Our two senior captains led us onto the floor of the Barn – the field house in Madison, which was the site of the 1996 Wisconsin Girls State High School Basketball Tournament. The memories of having the luck and talent to be a part of a team who played at the tournament remain close to my heart, but what equally important to me are the fond memories I hold of being a three year member of a basketball team coached by my dad. We share a bond in our love of basketball, which began before I was in high school, and still continues today.

#3 Ask Question(s) I walked into the room which would be my classroom for the first time. What will my students be like? How will I keep up? Who will be my backbone if times get tough? Will I teach for the rest of my life? The fall of 2004 began with excitement, nervousness, and energy. I soon learned that teaching is a fantastic career, but each day presents new challenges. Teaching takes stamina, willpower, determination, and the willingness to succeed… and sometimes fail. A few memories of my first year remain vivid reminders that more can be learned in the moment than a college class could ever have prepared me for.

#4 Use a Quotation “It’s only me from over the sea, Barnacle Bill the sailor!” These words are forever etched on my heart, as they are a gentle reminder of the loving, joking personality of my Grandpa Shoey. I have many special memories of Grandpa.

Conclusions The conclusion of a piece of writing gives the reader a sense of completion. It allows you the opportunity to sum up your thoughts and leave your readers with something to think about.

#1 Repeat the main idea when you want readers to remember why or what you have written. There is a quote that states the games will be forgotten and all that will be left is memories of teammates and friendship. I have realized that not only friendships of teammates but a father-daughter relationship can be strengthened as the years go by, bonded by our love of the great sport of basketball.

Sum up the composition in an interesting way. #2 Sum up the composition in an interesting way. “Barnacle Bill, the sailor!” will always remind me of my Grandpa Shoey… and though he has not been with our family since 1997, his memory lives on… through love, song, and dance.

#3 Offer your opinion on the subject, leaving your readers something to think about. As long as I will be living, I have never, and will never, smoke a cigarette. I have seen how it becomes an addiction to loved ones in my life. Addiction is scary. In recent years, Minnesota and Wisconsin have gone smoke-free in restaurants and bars and this trend should spread throughout the country, in hopes of becoming a smoke-free world.

Revision of Your Introduction and Conclusion WNB #10 Write four introductions for your memoir, one of each style: startling/interesting fact detailed description question(s) quotation