1. Intros, Conclusions, Transitions
College Level Writing
Intros, Conclusions, Transitions

2. The Most Important Section- Intro
Bridge
First Impression
Road Map
Conveys your topic, why it is important, thesis, your sense of organization
Bridge (a linkage institution, if you will)
Connects readers with their life to your writing
Help the reader (me) leave behind the episode of The Walking Dead I was watching and jump into your essay

3. 4 Types Funnel Dramatic Quotation Turnabout Background info  Thesis
Eyewitness account
Narrative that is dramatic and descriptive about a situation
Quotation
Quote relates to and leads to your thesis through your explanation
Turnabout
Statement contrary to your thesis

4. Thesis Statement Reminders
a single sentence that contains an arguable proposition and clearly states the your position on the issue.
The thesis statement is said to be a “good one” if it does the following:
appears at the end or near the end of the introductory paragraph.
states the main point of the writer
indicates how the writer will limit and support the main point.
shows how the writer will organize the entire essay

5. Tips… Precise and concise Try writing your intro last
No run-ons, generalizations (for the most part), or vagueness
Be straight forward and confident
Try writing your intro last
Write a tentative intro and come back to change it at the end
Most likely, your intro will require several drafts

6. What’s the deal with...
Conclusions

7. Final Framework of your Essay
Bridge
Back to the reader’s daily life
It helps them remember why your paper matters, even when they are done reading it
Synthesize your thoughts
Demonstrate the importance of your thoughts
Propel the reader to think differently about something (or to think at all…)
Give broader implications
Make the reader glad they read your paper

8. Tips… Bring the reader full circle Provide a course of action
Return to the theme(s) of the intro
Synthesize, DON’T summarize- show how your main points tie into your thesis.
Pull it all together
Provide a course of action
Point out broader implications

9. What to Avoid…
Simple, overused phrases (this should be avoided throughout the essay)
“In summary…”
“In conclusion…”
“In closing…”
These may work for speeches, but are trite in writing
Introducing a new idea or point
Making sentimental or emotional appeals
Stating evidence (including quotations) that should be in the body paragraphs

10. No more “all in all…”
Transitions

11. You need better transitions if…
It’s “jumpy,” “choppy,” etc.
You tend to write the way you think (your brain most likely changes topic quickly and without transitioning)
You are working on the paper with lots of time in between

12. Think of it…
As a group paper and each section was written by someone , transitions help the thoughts flow together
As transition between sections, paragraphs, and sometimes within paragraphs

13. How do I know if they are good enough???
Cut your paper up into paragraphs. If I can’t put it back in order, it’s missing a transition!!!

14. More phrases to avoid…
General hints

15. Words and phrases not to use in formal writing
Each and every
As yet
In order
Basically,
Essentially,
In society today,
Totally, completely, absolutely, literally, actually
Pretty (much), just, that. Cross it off and see if you actually need it.
All of, being that, in the course of…
Point in time