1. Poetry – Drafting the Introduction & Conclusion
What type of information should go in an introductory paragraph?

2. The Introductory Paragraph
Start with a “hook,” an attention-grabbing statement related to your topic. (1 Sentence)
Connect your hook to a section providing relevant background about the poems. (3 Sentences)
End with a thesis statement. (1 Sentence)
Thesis: Fathers have many different characteristics which can be seen in the poems “Those Winter Sundays” and “The Gift.”

3. The First Sentence
Is the grader’s first impression of your paper and sets his/her expectations.
Sets the overall tone for the entire paper.
AVOID using: a quote, a question, or a dictionary definition.
Instead, TRY: your own definition of a related topic like fatherhood or characteristics, your own description of a theme, or a list of adjectives describing the poems.

4. The Body Paragraphs
Using your writing plan, create comprehensive body paragraphs – follow in the exact order.
Topic Sentence
Transition (to start, to begin, first, etc) plus detail 1
Transition (for example, to illustrate) plus lead-in

5. Combining Lead-In and Quote
If your lead-in is a complete sentence, use a :
Lead-In: “Quote” (line #).
If your lead-in is an incomplete sentence, use a,
Lead-in, “Quote” (line #).

6. Explanation After your quote
Meant to explain HOW the father shows this character trait
Should be at least two sentences and has to prove a point
NOT just your lead-in restated

7. 2nd and 3rd Detail Transitions
Transitions to introduce Detail 2
To continue, next, second, moreover, in addition, to add
Transitions to introduce Detail 3
Finally, to end, to continue, to add, in addition, moreover, third

8. The Concluding Paragraph
Start with a closing transition and a restatement of the thesis. (1 Sentence)
Summarize the main ideas of each body paragraph. (2 Sentences)
End with a closing transition and a clincher that makes a lasting impression. (1 Sentence)

9. The Last Sentence
Makes your paper memorable and sets it apart from the rest.
AVOID using: a quote, a question, and first/second person pronouns like you, your, I, we, our, us.
Instead, TRY: a message gained by readers, the relevance of your topic today, a connection back to the opening line of the introduction, and third person pronouns like the audience, one, a person, a reader.

10. Rules to Follow Do not use any contractions in your paper:
Don’t, Won’t, Can’t, Haven’t, etc.
Keep your paper in third person:
Do not use I, me, my, mine, we, our, us, you, yours, you’re, etc.