How to write a memorable piece

 The purpose of an introduction is to introduce your topic in a way that hooks the reader.  In order to do this, you must think outside the box and avoid stating the topic outright.

 A good introduction begins with a good first sentence—something to catch the reader’s attention and make him/her crave more.  A good introduction does not give every detail away, nor does it list topics to be discussed in the paper.

 State the topic outright  I am going to write about…  My essay is going to be about…  In this essay I will examine the …  My story is all about…  My English teacher told me to write this essay about…  Make it about you  I remember when…  I think we should all…  I always make an effort to…

 “Life is like a box of chocolates…”  Have you ever wondered why…?  Since the dawn of time…  At the end of the day…  When all is said and done…  Is the time ever really right?

 Prompt: Write an essay explaining how fear affects life.

Surprising fact or statement : Contrary to popular belief, over 40% of phobias begin before the tender age of 10. Suspense : Beads of sweat drip from the face as a the microphone sits, lonely and undisturbed in the center of the stage. Quotation : Jim Morrison once said, “We fear violence less than our own feelings.” Select one of the above methods: You try!

Jim Morrison once said, “We fear violence less than our own feelings.” Many people bottle up emotions simply to avoid facing them, yet they are not afraid to run when being chased. While it may be true that fear comes in many forms, the fear of expressing emotions can cause a person to miss out on love. BSBS TSTS

 Try to leave your personal stories out of expository writing. This will prevent you from writing in the first person. Instead, try this! A man in Cambridge, Massachusetts, took his neighbor to court because the neighbor hadn’t cut his grass in fourteen years. A woman in Madison, Wisconsin, sued her neighbor because the leaves from his tree fell in her yard, and she had to rake them. Perhaps if lines of communication had been open or if each had shown a little more compassion to each other, it wouldn’t have gone so far. It is important to respect your neighbors by establishing a relationship with them in order to prevent a hostile environments. BSBS TSTS

 Prompt: Write an essay explaining why it is important to have all the facts before making a judgment.

Surprising fact or statement: Buyers beware! A suit, shined shoes, a Rolex, Old Spice, and a dazzling smile doesn’t make someone an expert. Quotation: Beloved American author Mark Twain once said, “Man is the only animal that blushes…or needs to.” Anecdote: Somewhere there is a boy with dazed and bloodshot eyes; his hair is a tangled mess. Select one of the above methods: You try!

Buyers beware! A suit, shined shoes, a Rolex, Old Spice, and a dazzling smile doesn’t make someone an expert. People should not let smooth-talking advertisers, manufacturers, and salesmen sell them the wrong product simply because they seem to know what they are talking about. It is important to get all of the facts before making a decision because otherwise, the choice may end up costing a lot more than just money. BSBS TSTS

 Using the same prompt, I will provide you with stems to complete an expository introduction.  I will be reading some of your introductions out loud to the class—each introduction will remain anonymous and we will pick each of them apart for CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.  *Make sure your writing is neat and legible. Be sure to write in complete sentences.

Somewhere there is a boy with dazed and bloodshot eyes; his hair is a tangled mess. _____________________________________ _____________________________________ __________________________________. It is important to get all of the facts before making a decision because _____________ ____________________________________. BSBS TSTS

Somewhere there is a boy with dazed and bloodshot eyes; his hair is a tangled mess. Not all situations are as they seem. This boy, this mess of a boy has been through more struggle in his fourteen years than most people have gone through their entire lives. It is important to get all of the facts before making a decision because in some cases, it could mean life or death. BSBS TSTS

 Use the lino site to add your metaphor to the interactive bulletin board! (Write a metaphor for your electronic device: My cell phone is…) Metaphor Review: Compare two unlike things Life is a dream. Dreams are action scenes. Simile Review: Compare two unlike things using like or as. Life is like a dream. Dreams are as intense as action scenes.

Dialogue: “I can’t believe you told everyone after you promised you wouldn’t!” cried Tracy. Metaphor/simile: Dishonesty is a train wreck waiting to happen. Or Betrayal is like having a rug ripped from under you. Quotation: Frank Ocean once said, “Once I catch you in one lie, it makes me question everything you’ve said.”

Dialogue: Metaphor/simile: or Quotation:

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Frank Ocean once said, “Once I catch you in a lie, it makes me question everything you’ve said.” There is nothing worse than realizing a friend has been lying all along. Honesty is the foundation of a true friendship and should never be taken for granted because everything can be lost in an instant. BSBS TSTS

A wise man once said, “Being honest never hurts anyone. Being a liar hurts only you.” There is nothing worse than being comforted with a lie, thinking it is the truth. Honesty is the foundation of a good friendship and should never be taken for granted. BSBS TSTS

Surprising fact or statement: According to the National Education Association, “Approximately 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying.” Suspense: No one could have imagined how far a person would go once provoked. Quotation: Maya Angelou once said, “Words are things. You must be careful…”

According to the National Education Association, “Approximately 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying.” School should be a place where students feel safe and comfortable, but because of the widespread epidemic of bullying, students would rather stay home than deal with bullies. Bullying is a damaging force, which can cause a ripple effect that leads teens down a destructive path. BSBS TSTS

Dialogue: “Walk away now and you’ll be a quitter forever!” shouted Coach Morris. Metaphor/simile: Quitting is dying. Or Quitting is like stopping to get water and never making it to the finish line. Quotation: Peter le fleur once said, regrettably, “Right now it feels a little like shame.”

“Walk away now and you’ll be a quitter forever!” shouted Coach Morris. The decision to walk off the field, not finish a test, or leave a job before really giving it a chance, can end up being a bigger problem than anticipated. It is important not to quit because it can easily become a habit. BSBS TSTS

 Take all of my advice into consideration. Make it interesting and leave your reader wanting more!  I will be reading some of your introductions out loud to the class—each introduction will remain anonymous and we will pick each of them apart for CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.  *Make sure your writing is neat and legible. Be sure to write in complete sentences.

Dialogue: ____________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________. Metaphor/simile: ______________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________. Surprising face or statement: ___________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________.

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 Prompt: Write an essay explaining how choices can impact the future.

Surprising fact or statement : Imagine a line of 25,000 dead and mangled bodies stretching for miles; that is the number of victims of drunk driving every year. Metaphor/simile : Mistakes are awakenings. Quotation: The late great Lucille Ball once said, “I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven‘t.” Select one of the above methods: You try!

Imagine a line of 25,000 dead and mangled bodies stretching for miles; that is the number of victims of drunk driving every year. Each and every one of those lives could have been saved if people simply took the time to think before making a rash decision. Choosing to get behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol or drugs, not only affects the victim, but it can also ruin the driver’s chance at a future. BSBS TSTS

 Always, always, always start with your thesis because it is your roadmap!  Look at your SLACH star from the other day. You should have selected ONE reason to place in the center of your star. This will guide your thesis statement.  Topic + position + reason Choices can impact the future because… Choices can impact the future by…

Start filling in the introduction information in your outline!

Drug use causes destructive behavior. Many people believe that taking one hit or one pill won’t affect them in a negative way. Is that temporary high simply that? Or will the person constantly crave more? Drug use causes destructive behavior. Many people believe that taking one hit or one pill won’t affect them in a negative way. However, in the event that a person becomes dependent on the drug, their future will continuously be impacted by that decision. For example, a doctor who… Reason #1 Concrete detail from SLACH