Introductions and Conclusions For Grades 3-5

Introductions An effective introduction needs to: ***Hook the reader and suggest/state the main idea ***Set up or imply an organizational structure Note: the introduction may be as short as two sentences, or it may be one paragraph

Power/Number Sentence Use a number word to help you focus your topic. Some words you might want to use include: two several a number some four various numerous many plenty

Power/Number Sentence Examples Three cities in the United States have serious pollution problems. In the winter I enjoy watching several high school sports. Tourists traveling to Australia will want to visit three spectacular sights. Junior high students need to learn a number of organizational strategies.

Occasion/Position Statements An Occasion/Position Statement is a two-part sentence that begins with one of these words or phrases: After As soon as Even though In order to While As long as Until Since Although

Occasion/Position Statement Examples Even though bike helmets are sometimes unfashionable, all cyclists should wear them. Although my family and I have taken many wonderful vacations, none was more exciting than our Grand Canyon trip. After I tried out for competitive soccer, I learned there were several things I had to improve on.

To, Plus a Verb Try using an “infinitive” to start your paper. An infinitive is the main verb preceded by the word to. This type of sentence is clear and direct for your reader. Some examples of infinitives are: To succeed To accomplish To finish To win To teach

To, Plus a Verb Examples To win at chess, players need to master three skills. To accomplish good grades, students need to do these three tasks. To succeed in Mr./Mrs. ________room, 6th grade students need to remember these key ideas.

Using a Quotation Using a quotation in the topic sentence is an easy, yet powerful, way to start a paper. To use a quotation, start with a word from the Occasion/Position list: After As soon as Even though In order to While As long as Until Since Although

Using a Quotation Examples Although I usually appreciate advice I get from my grandma, I wish she would follow the suggestion of , “Whatever advice you give, be short.” As long as I live, I will always remember my 2nd grade teacher’s advice, “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”

On Your Own Using the prompt below, choose ONE of the techniques to write an introductory paragraph. Your principal has asked for suggestions for an end of the year field trip. Explain to your principal what you think would be the best idea for this field trip.

Conclusions An effective conclusion needs to: Restate your position; remind your readers of your topic. Satisfy the reader by not only wrapping up the essay, but also giving the reader something to think about. Link the body (middle) of the writing to the introduction.

Focus Your Conclusion Summarize your paragraph Convince the reader of your position Challenge them to think about the issue Encourage them to take action

Summarize Remember what I said? Remind the readers of your topic and your key points.

Convince Believe my position! My information makes sense and this is why……

Challenge Think about the issue! How does what you said make them think more deeply?

Encourage Take Action! What could YOU, as a reader, do about this? How could this information help you in the future?

“No-No’s” “As I have said” “As I have proved” “As you can see” Copying the first paragraph over

Conclusion Starter Statements All in all To sum up In fact Obviously Surely Truly Although In the future When

Try It Out! Using the following prompt, work with your partner/s to write a conclusion using 4 parts: 1) Summarize 2) Convince 3) Challenge 4) Encourage

Prompt Your principal has asked for suggestions for an end of the year field trip. Explain to your principal what you think would be the best idea for this field trip.

On Your Own Using the prompt below, choose ONE of the techniques to write a conclusion using all four parts— summarize, convince, challenge, encourage Your principal has asked for suggestions for an end of the year field trip. Explain to your principal what you think would be the best idea for this field trip.