Introductions – Putting it All Together Lead Bridge Thesis/Claim

An effective 7th grade introduction will contain: In your notes: The 3 parts of an introduction are L+B+T This means: Lead + bridge + claim/thesis

Leads Look at your Lead notes. Look at page 6 in your note packet. There are EIGHT types of leads. We will cover them later, but the examples are there if you need them now.  Remember you cannot start an essay with a question!

The Bridge Statement Connect your WOW (L) to your NOW (T)! A sentence to help your reader make sense of your Lead and get ready for the Claim/Thesis statement.

Type of Bridges: Types of Bridges What is it? Commentary  Question ? Transitional Statement Explains Lead/ what it means Asks a question of reader – answer in claim/thesis Describe how something was life changing Students write symbols and explains in their notes.lightening bolt is a zig zag not a bolt

My Examples…copy this into your “My Example” section. Commentary This illustrates…This demonstrates…This shows… Question So why…Do you…How does this… Transitional Statement Life will never be the same … I wonder how life…. Copy down the sentence starters (all)

Bridge Examples Let’s look at an example introduction with bridges: The prompt - Washington is an amazing place!

Bridge with Commentary  There is a unique state, one with 1,000,000 acres of forest, 600 lakes, 15 ferries, and the cleanest air in the USA. This shows the statistic that some states are probably more desirable to live in than others. That state is Washington, my home state; I believe it is an amazing place to live.

Bridge with a Question ? There is a unique state, one with 1,000,000 acres of forest, 600 lakes, 15 ferries, and the cleanest air in the USA. So where could one travel to find such a picturesque place? That state is Washington, my home state; I believe it is an amazing place to live.

Transitional Statement There is a unique state, one with 1,000,000 acres of forest, 600 lakes, 15 ferries, and the cleanest air in the USA. Life for me wouldn’t be the same if I hadn’t been born in this wonderful place. That state is Washington, my home state; I believe it is an amazing place to live. FIND A SPOT in the summary section on page 21, and please copy this down as an example paragraph.

Claim/Thesis– What the paper is about! Claim/Thesis formula: describe prompt topic + ; + how you feel about topic Example: Most children in the world have siblings; I personally loath and love mine.

Claim/Thesis Formula continued… Imagine you could be any animal for the day. What kind of animal would you be? Being an animal for the day would be a crazy experience; I personally, would love to be a laughing hyena. People would have a new perspective on life if they were an animal for a day; I know that I would learn a lot from being an owl.

Sentence #2 Fall, winter, spring, summer…we all have a favorite season. What season is your favorite? Each season has its own unique qualities; by far, my favorite would be summer, because we go on vacation. You try it now… topic (or theme) ; your own personal.

Sentence 3 Work it out with your partner.

A Complete Introduction L= Lead (PAGE 6 in notes) B = Bridge (A connecting sentence to make your Lead linked to your Claim/Thesis statement T = Claim/Thesis: What your essay is about & why it is important (uses a semicolon).

Introduction Practice Show me what you know! Write 3 new introductions to your prompt for the week. Try a different Lead in each introduction (hint: page 6 in your notes are about Leads) Try a different bridge in each introduction You may keep your Claim/Thesis the same for each paragraph or challenge yourself to reword them.