1. Warm up #32
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Because their behavior was ________, Frank and Susan served as _________ models for the children under their excellent care.
Incorruptible…pernicious
Lamentable…flawed
Commendable…exemplary
Erratic…unimpeachable
Reputable…imperfect

2. Daily Assignment:

3. Pre-lunch Warm-up #32

4. Creating Effective Opening
The opening of your essay MUST create suspense, arousing the reader’s interest. Thus, the opening paragraph is often called the “hook,” making the analogy that your reader is a fish to be reeled in.

5. Technique # 1- Use Dialogue
Example: “ I am going to divorce your father,” my mother said. “I am moving to another apartment next month.” For several seconds her words hung in the air like frozen water drops ready to fall down to the floor and break into a thousand pieces. I was standing in front of her in the Christmas-decorated living room, feeling the stable ground beneath my feet starting to tremble. With two simple sentences my mother had just torn apart the only safety I knew in this world– my home.

6. Technique #2– Create an image with sensory details
Technique #2– Create an image with sensory details. Immerse your reader in the setting.
Example: The rain hit my helmet, like a soft tapping on the door. I pulled my chin strap tighter and snapped it on the side. As I stepped onto the muddy field, my cleats squished into the sodden ground.

7. Technique # 3- Surprise the reader
Example: Pepperoni itches when it’s in your bra.
- This narrative goes on to describe an embarrassing moment for a young girl when she trips in the school cafeteria and lands in her pizza.

8. Technique #4- offer personal insight
Example: On any given school day, I can usually think of seven thousand more fun things to do than go to class. One compelling alternative is to just stay in bed. In fact, staying in bed will loom as one of the greatest temptations of my college life.

9. Stop asking rhetorical questions!
Eg. Have you ever wondered why…?
What do you think about…?
This opening is over-done and cliché; avoid it!

10. Now it’s your turn… Choose one of the techniques Write an effective opening paragraph
Writing Situation
Many students do not think the subjects they study in high school prepare them for the real world they will face after graduation. The principal at your school is asking students for their opinions about new courses that could be offered to prepare students for life after high school. What new course do you think should be offered?
Directions for writing
Write a letter to convince the principal that your new course should be offered. Be sure to explain why your new course is needed, using specific examples and details.