1. Writing Introductions and Offering
Welcome to Effective Writing I- CM 107
Pauline Vinson
Writing Introductions and Offering
CM 107: Unit 8 Seminar
You should be hearing music. If you don’t, please check your audio.
Feel free to chat until the music stops near the top of the hour. Once the seminar starts, please keep all comments relevant to the class topic.

2. Looking Ahead: The Final Project
The final project for this course asks you to assume the role of a “life coach” who is giving advice to someone else on a particular topic of expertise.
The advice you give should be presented in the form of a formal essay (with a proper introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion).

3. The Final Project Format
The final project is a formal essay. It should:
include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion
be about words long
follow APA guidelines (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point font)
include a title page and a reference page
back up claims with reliable, verifiable evidence
cite sources in APA style

4. Directions for the Final Project
Directions for the Final Project may be found in Unit 9, under the icon for “Project.”
A sample Unit 9 Final Project is available in Doc Sharing.
I highly recommend that you view the Unit 9 directions and sample paper as you begin to look ahead toward the final project.

5. Unit 8 as a step toward Unit 9
We will discuss more details regarding the final project during the Unit 9 seminar.
For the rest of today’s seminar, we will focus on writing introductions and offering constructive feedback on the discussion board.
In the process, we will also touch upon body paragraphs and conclusions.

6. The Writing Center as your “Amulet”
Think of the KUWC as your “amulet.” It is your guide and helper as you continue your journey in CM107.
Among the wonderful handouts at the KUWC is one on writing effective introductions and conclusions. To access this handy pdf document,
go to the Home Page, click on My Studies>Academic Support Center> Writing Center>Writing Reference Library. Under “Drafting,” click on “Introductions and Conclusions.”

7. Introductions…
Ease your reader into your topic and your perspective on your topic.
Engage your reader’s attention.
Provide background and definition of topic.
State the thesis in a single sentence at the very end of the paragraph.
A thesis does not strictly have to come at the end of the introduction, but it usually works best at the end.

8. Elements of a strong introduction
Introductions
Ease your reader into your topic while grabbing the reader’s attention.
Provide background information on your topic.
Articulate a clear thesis statement.

9. Introduction Example
Example introduction: Attention engager, topic background, and thesis.
When the printing press first made its appearance in the fifteenth century, few people may have realized the road it opened for book publishing. In the twenty-first century, the influence of the mass production of printed texts on leisure reading is clearly evident in sales figures. The Harry Potter books, for example, have sold over 250 million copies (Howell, 2005). However, with the increasing popularity of Internet publishers such a Lulu.com and X-Libris.com, a new transformation may be currently taking place. In fact, Internet publishing has grown from a small-time enterprise to a completely viable form of seeing one’s work in print or online (Johnson, 2006). Writers may be attracted to virtual publishing because it allows them to be represented by major booksellers, requires little or no start-up costs, and presents them with almost no chance of being rejected.

10. Things to avoid in your introduction
Do not announce your topic: “My essay is about” or any such tags.
Do not offend your reader.
Do not put your thesis statement in the form of a question.

11. Elements of a Strong Body Paragraph
begins with a topic sentence
develops the ideas presented in the topic sentence (shows how and why)
supports the claims made with reference to reliable outside sources
documents the sources (in this class, we will use APA style)
wraps up the ideas in a concluding sentence

12. Body paragraphs
Example body paragraph (thesis key point 1): topic sentence, support, closing sentence
At the outset, Internet publishing promises writers powerful representation from major book vendors. For example, many Internet publishers have deals with industry giants such as Barnes and Noble and Amazon. In exchange for shared royalties, these booksellers list, promote, and sell both self-published and so-called “virtual reads” to their customer base (Lowell, 2005). This powerful marketing tool means that a writer can self-publish while having the selling advantage of those who have waited a long time to find print-publishing acceptance. This advantage can be attractive, as seen in the over 59 percent increase in the years in self-published and electronic books (Lowell, 2005). As more booksellers agree to sign on for print-on- demand and e-book partnerships, the reading world can expect more authors to take this virtual publishing route.

13. Things to avoid in your body paragraph
Do not stray off-topic. Stay focused on the key point highlighted in your topic sentence for the entire paragraph.
Do not confuse interesting information with relevant information.
Do not forget to provide evidence and proper citation for every piece of information you use from an outside source.
Do not end with a question.

14. Elements of an effective Conclusion
Conclusions provide a summary of the key points mentioned in the essay—they are a moment for readers to reconsider what they read. For that reason, conclusions
restate thesis (not the same sentence)
wrap up major ideas
close the essay while keeping the reader engaged

15. Conclusion Example
Example conclusion: restate thesis, sum up key points’ importance, and close the circle
The lack of rejection, together with economic concerns and the promise of unparalleled marketing, inspire today’s authors to give Internet publishing a chance. After all, who would not be drawn to a world that promises no more rejection letters? In addition, the low cost of virtual publication makes online publishing even more attractive to writers in difficult financial circumstances. Lastly, the promise of immediate success often appeals to writers who dream of seeing their names in the author lists of major- market book vendors. Just as the introduction of movable type heralded the advent of a new revolution in the mass production of printed books, so too, digital pixels and the computer screen are ushering in a new era of Internet publishing that is sure to have wide-reaching effects on the reading habits of generations to come.

16. Things to avoid in your conclusion
Do not introduce new ideas in your conclusion.
Do not ask questions in your conclusion.
Do not just leave your reader hanging.
Bring your discussion to a fulfilling close so that your reader can feel satisfied that they have read a unified and complete discussion of the topic you have chosen.

17. The Funny Shape of an Essay
Introduction
Body Paragraphs
Conclusion

18. Constructive Feedback
You have experienced feedback from your peers on the discussion boards and blogs.
Please offer examples of what you have found most helpful in the type of feedback you received.
Please offer examples of what you have found to be least helpful type of feedback.

19. Constructive Feedback
Constructive feedback helps the writer improve his or her work.
It contains no put-downs, but it is honest in pointing out areas that need improvement.
It points out what works and why.
It also points out what doesn’t work and explains why.
It aims to be positive while at the same time being helpful.
“Good job” or “I like your paper” are not helpful on their own.

20. How Constructive Feedback Can Help the Reviewer
Peer Reviews not only help the writer improve his or her first draft, they also help the one giving the review.
How do you think that can happen?
What skills will you develop to help you with your writing as a result of giving a thorough and thoughtful review of another student’s paper?

21. Unit 8 DB Initial Response
In the Unit 8 DB, you are asked to write an introductory paragraph. Here are the directions:
A friend has written asking your advice. You believe that he or she could benefit from life- coaching, but you know your friend is unfamiliar with the concept. Your job is to write an introduction to this concept. Naturally, you’ll need to explain the concept, but you’ll also want to get your friend’s attention. Choose an introduction strategy that will fulfill both these needs.

22. Unit 8 DB Peer Response
In your posts to peers, you’ll be practicing peer review.
Peer review is acting as a reader for others and then giving them comments about your experience as a reader.
To afford the most feedback for all introductions, we will limit the responses to each to two. If you see two replies to a draft, choose another draft with fewer than two responses. If everyone on the board has two replies when you post, you may choose any draft for your peer feedback.

23. Unit 8 DB Peer Response Reminder
Make sure you post one initial response (your introduction) and two peer responses (reviews to two different peers).
Make sure you answer the required questions presented in the prompt. They are:
Does the paragraph flow smoothly from one point to the next? If not, what could be done to create a smoother flow of ideas?
How engaging is the introduction? How does it make you want to keep reading?
What other ideas could the writer use to be as inviting as possible?
Are there any other overall suggestions you have for the writer?

24. Thank you for attending seminar!
Have a wonderful week!