Teaching Writing: Effective Introductions Click the slide to see the content. Teaching Writing: Effective Introductions Trang Le  Course: GSL520/GED565 Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Online Saint Michael's College _ Feb. 15th, 2015 tle@mail.smcvt.edu

Effective Introductions Stated purpose Students will be able to: understand the purpose of an introduction how to write a strong introduction Target learners ESL learners Intermediate level 16-18 Materials needed Handouts from Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay tle@mail.smcvt.edu

EXAMPLE OF AN INTRODUCTION General statements In the past few years, online learning has become a popular way of getting a higher education. Instead of taking regular courses in colleges or universities, more and more students are choosing to learn through the Internet. In fact, a recent report showed that around 2.3 million US college students are taking online courses because of their many advantages. Gives background information about the topic Thesis statement State the main point Indicate pattern of essay tle@mail.smcvt.edu

ORGANIZATION OF AN INTRODUCTION General statements Thesis statement tle@mail.smcvt.edu Image Source: Venturaonlinebusiness.ru

Task 1: Read the introduction. Then complete the diagram. If you ask average Americans where their language comes from, they will probably say 'England'. However, English vocabulary has also been influenced by other countries and groups of people. Some words are borrowed from other languages, such as typhoon, which originally came from the Chinese word, 'tai- fung', meaning 'big wind'. Skunk, the name of a small, smelly, black-and-white animal, came to English from a Native American language. African Americans, too, have both contributed new words to English and changed the meanings of some existing words. tle@mail.smcvt.edu

Task 1: Read the introduction. Then complete the diagram. Do the exercise on your own before clicking to see the answer and explanation. General statements Most Americans would say that their language comes from England. Thesis statement African Americans, too, have both contributed new words to English and changed the meanings of some existing words. tle@mail.smcvt.edu Image Source: Venturaonlinebusiness.ru

Most Americans would say that their language comes from England. Task 1: Answer Most Americans would say that their language comes from England. However, English has also been influenced by other countries and groups of people. Some words are borrowed from other languages, such as ‘taifung’, meaning ‘big wind’. Skunk, the name of a small, smelly, black-and-white animal, came to English from a Native American language. African Americans, too, have both contributed new words to English and changed the meanings of some existing words. tle@mail.smcvt.edu

What is a strong introduction? 5 – 10 sentences Gives the general topic of the essay Gives background information about the topic States the main point (Thesis statement) Catches the reader’s interest tle@mail.smcvt.edu

Task 2: Read and discuss the following introductions with a partner. Mark the strong introductions with a tick (). Mark the weak introductions with a cross (X). What could the writers do to make the weak introductions strong? tle@mail.smcvt.edu

STRONG INTRODUCTION WEAK INTRODUCTION Do the exercise on your own before clicking to see the answer and explanation. A. Family structure has changed a lot in the last fifty years in Asia. The decrease in the number of extended families and nuclear families has caused several social changes. TOO SHORT -> ADD 1-2 SENTENCES. NO INTERESTING INFORMATION -> ADD STATISTICS OR EXAMPLES. tle@mail.smcvt.edu

STRONG INTRODUCTION WEAK INTRODUCTION B. The number of business using the Internet for selling products has increased greatly. Shoppers, too, are using the Internet to buy all types of products. Although e-business has become popular, there are certain risks in Internet shopping that are a concern for both businesses and consumers. tle@mail.smcvt.edu

C. Stargazing-looking at the stars-is something everyone should try C. Stargazing-looking at the stars-is something everyone should try. I love it. When looking at the night sky, most people observe that the moon, planets, and stars move from the cast side of the sky to the west over a period of several hours. In fact, this movement is actually the movement of the Earth rotating on its axis. In addition, as the Earth revolves around the sun throughout the year, different stars are visible at different times. Irrelevant Too specific -> Stargazing is a valuable way to learn about our world as well as outer space. No Thesis Statement tle@mail.smcvt.edu

STRONG INTRODUCTION WEAK INTRODUCTION D. The origins of Irish music can be traced back nearly 2,000 years to the time when the Celts arrived in Ireland. … These cities are popular tourist destinations with many interesting sights. However, Irish music really become known to a wider audience in traditional songs and fusion with rock, world music and jazz. Jazz originated in the American South in the early twentieth century… Irrelevant tle@mail.smcvt.edu TOO LONG (7 sentences-170 words)

STRONG INTRODUCTION WEAK INTRODUCTION E. Adjusting to another culture’s food can be a challenge for many travelers. The geography of a country can greatly affect the typical foods that are eaten by its people. TOO SHORT THE SENTENCES ARE NOT RELATED CLOSELY ENOUGH. tle@mail.smcvt.edu

Surprising fact REVIEW Task 3: Read and discuss types of information used in the following introductions. tle@mail.smcvt.edu

REVIEW Task 3: Read and discuss types of information used in the following introductions. Humor tle@mail.smcvt.edu

Further exercises: 1. Choose a topic & Develop your own introduction A. what freedom means to me B. an unusual holiday C. weddings in my country D. why I like/ don’t like swimming E. the ideal job tle@mail.smcvt.edu

2. Watch a video on How to Write an Introduction Paragraph tle@mail.smcvt.edu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tv2-lXHfAI

References Fleming, G. (n.d.). The introductory paragraph. Retrieved from http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/int rosentence.htm Swedberg, T., & Mindy, T. (2012, February 29). How to write an introduction paragraph. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tv2-lXHfAI Zemach, D. E. (2005). Academic writing: From paragraph to essay. S.l.: Macmillan. tle@mail.smcvt.edu