Introductions and Conclusions

Focus on First and Last Impressions Now, we are going to focus on three things that heavily influence your reader’s impression of your essay: The title The introduction The conclusion

Titles Is “Essay 1” an acceptable title? NO. This is not an acceptable title for a college level essay. A title for a college level essay needs to give some idea of WHAT THE ESSAY IS ABOUT. Think of your title as a headline. A good title should make your audience want to read your paper.

Unique Titles: A Short Guide One possibility: use your title to ask a thought-provoking question that your essay will explore in depth. Example: What’s Wrong With Cinderella? Briefly list or summarize the topics you will discuss. Example: More Representation for LBGT People of Color Example: Why the Odds are Still Stacked Against Women in Hollywood Your title needs to be UNIQUE TO YOUR PAPER. Every important word should be capitalized. Don’t put quote marks around your own title. Don’t make your title a different font or size than the rest of your paper.

If you want to get clever… Use alliteration (same sounds at the beginnings of words) Example: Are Video Games Cranking out Killer Kids? Use other forms of humor, like a pun or a play on words. Example: Throws Like the Girl She Is Use the form of: “Topic: Big Idea/Question About the Topic” Violent Video Games: Harmless Fun or Recipe for Disaster? TV Diversity: Whose Job Is It, Anyway?

Techniques for a Good Introduction Ask a provocative or disturbing question – grabs the reader's attention. Often shows an unfair or unwise situation, might get the reader to think about how the situation affects THEM personally. Share an anecdote relating to thesis – if personal, establishes authority. If not, puts a human face on the situation. Offer a quotation – puts paper in perspective of larger conversation/more general ideas. (Don’t forget about quote sandwiches… in general, the first sentence of your paper should not be a quote.) Move from general to specific – begins by talking about something that everyone is interested in, then shows how it relates to your specific topic.

More Techniques for a Good Intro Correct a commonly held misconception – again, the effect here is surprise, but it also attempts to change audience attitudes. Begin with an intriguing statement or little known fact – gives background information, makes your reader wonder, "so what?" Striking example – immediately begins to defend/explain your point, lets the reader know where you stand from the beginning. Make a comparison – compare what you are writing about to something your readers already know. More relatable.

Examining Example Introductions: Look back at the following intros. What does each author do to pull in the reader prepare them for the rest of the essay? Paragraph 1 of “I Am Not a Mascot” on p. 300 Paragraph 1 of “Punk’s Not Dead” on p. 554 Paragraph 1 of “More Representation of LGBT People of Color” (Handout) ONE other essay we’ve read this semester. (See Syllabus for list.)

Conclusions Conclusions are often the most difficult thing to write for some students, especially if you've been taught the five paragraph essay style that simply encourages you to repeat your main points. A good conclusion does much more than this.

Techniques for a Good Conclusion Look ahead – gets the audience to consider the future Remind readers of issue's importance – ensures that they understand what is at stake, why your issue deserves their attention. Offer a recommendation, call to action – gets readers to make a change, do something. Most effective in argumentative essays. Discuss the broader implications – connects your issue with other important ones End with a fact, quote, or anecdote – leaves your reader with something to remember.

Examining Conclusions Look back at the following conclusions. What does each author do to tie up loose ends and leave the reader with a powerful final thought? The last paragraph of “Punk’s Not Dead” on p. 557 The last paragraph of “Throws Like the Girl She Is” on p. 268 The last paragraph of “Finding My Eye-dentity” on p. 151 Analyze a fourth conclusion from an essay we’ve read of your choosing.