Intros, Conclusions, Transitions College Level Writing Intros, Conclusions, Transitions

The Most Important Section- Intro Bridge First Impression Road Map Conveys your topic, why it is important, thesis, your sense of organization Bridge (a linkage institution, if you will) Connects readers with their life to your writing Help the reader (me) leave behind the episode of The Walking Dead I was watching and jump into your essay

4 Types Funnel Dramatic Quotation Turnabout Background info  Thesis Eyewitness account Narrative that is dramatic and descriptive about a situation Quotation Quote relates to and leads to your thesis through your explanation Turnabout Statement contrary to your thesis

Thesis Statement Reminders a single sentence that contains an arguable proposition and clearly states the your position on the issue. The thesis statement is said to be a “good one” if it does the following: appears at the end or near the end of the introductory paragraph. states the main point of the writer indicates how the writer will limit and support the main point. shows how the writer will organize the entire essay

Tips… Precise and concise Try writing your intro last No run-ons, generalizations (for the most part), or vagueness Be straight forward and confident Try writing your intro last Write a tentative intro and come back to change it at the end Most likely, your intro will require several drafts

What’s the deal with... Conclusions

Final Framework of your Essay Bridge Back to the reader’s daily life It helps them remember why your paper matters, even when they are done reading it Synthesize your thoughts Demonstrate the importance of your thoughts Propel the reader to think differently about something (or to think at all…) Give broader implications Make the reader glad they read your paper

Tips… Bring the reader full circle Provide a course of action Return to the theme(s) of the intro Synthesize, DON’T summarize- show how your main points tie into your thesis. Pull it all together Provide a course of action Point out broader implications

What to Avoid… Simple, overused phrases (this should be avoided throughout the essay) “In summary…” “In conclusion…” “In closing…” These may work for speeches, but are trite in writing Introducing a new idea or point Making sentimental or emotional appeals Stating evidence (including quotations) that should be in the body paragraphs

No more “all in all…” Transitions

You need better transitions if… It’s “jumpy,” “choppy,” etc. You tend to write the way you think (your brain most likely changes topic quickly and without transitioning) You are working on the paper with lots of time in between

Think of it… As a group paper and each section was written by someone , transitions help the thoughts flow together As transition between sections, paragraphs, and sometimes within paragraphs

How do I know if they are good enough??? Cut your paper up into paragraphs. If I can’t put it back in order, it’s missing a transition!!!

More phrases to avoid… General hints

Words and phrases not to use in formal writing Each and every As yet In order Basically, Essentially, In society today, Totally, completely, absolutely, literally, actually Pretty (much), just, that. Cross it off and see if you actually need it. All of, being that, in the course of… Point in time