1. Revisiting the 5-Paragraph Essay
Argumentative Writing

2. Introductory Paragraph
introduce your topic
grab your reader’s attention
have a strong thesis statement
forecast what you are going to talk about

3. Hooks
What can a writer do that will secure the interest of a fair sized audience?
By using hooks to grab the reader's attention: a very important aspect of your writing!

4. Types of Hooks Directly stated thesis:
after providing general background, narrow your focus to a thesis statement that previews the essay that will follow
Definition:
works well in a paper that deals with an unfamiliar topic

5. Types of Hooks A quotation:
a beginning quotation can effectively introduce ideas but make sure the quote clearly relates to the topic
An anecdote/ personal experience:
as long as it clearly sets up your topic, and has a bearing on what will follow in the essay, a short tale can be effective in grabbing your reader's attention

6. Types of Hooks An arresting statement:
sometimes you can jolt the reader into attention by using content, language, or both
Interesting details:
use to pique curiosity and draw the reader into the paper

7. Last but not least… A question:
a provocative question can entice the reader into the essay to find the answers
You may also use current events, historical or biographical facts, an opposite point of view, how your own life was influenced, research findings, a plot summary, or any combination of tactics, to grab your reader's attention.

8. Examples of Openings Everyone thinks -----, but...
Statistically, in Singapore, ....
I remember what it was like when...
What is ---?  

9. Developing a Thesis Central idea = thesis
contains your view of your topic, your reason for writing, your goal
it asserts something about it
often expressed in a single sentence called the thesis sentence

10. Constructing a Thesis Sentence
is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation.
takes a stand rather than announces a subject.
is narrow, rather than broad
is specific rather than vague or general.
broad

11. Forecasting
gives your reader an initial sense of an essay's meaning and organization
previews what lies ahead
an effective way to tell your reader in advance about the organization of your composition.

12. Supporting Paragraphs
you should go beyond the 3 paragraphs by now
each paragraph should have: - a topic sentence - supporting sentences and - a concluding sentence
a paragraph should be coherent, unified and well developed

13. Purposes of TOPIC SENTENCES
to state the main points of a paragraph
to give the reader a sense of direction (indicate what information will follow)
to summarize the paragraph's main point

14. Supporting Sentences must relate to the topic sentence
should contain specific, concrete details and examples rather than vague or generalized statements
To develop a paragraph: - add examples/ illustrations/ data - tell a story that illustrates the point you're making - compare and contrast - use analogies (e.g., "X is similar to Y because") - state facts - give definitions

15. Writing Conclusions stress the importance of the thesis statement
give the essay a sense of completeness, and
leave a final impression on the reader

16. Suggestions (1) Answer the question "So What?“:
show your readers why this paper was important and that it was meaningful and useful
Synthesize, don't summarize:
don't simply repeat things that were in your paper; show them how the points you made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together

17. Suggestions (2) Redirect your readers:
give your reader something to think about, perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" world
Challenge the reader:
helping them to redirect the information in the paper and perhaps apply it to their own lives

18. Suggestions (3) Looking to the future:
emphasize the importance of your paper or redirect the readers' thought process
Posing questions:
help your readers gain a new perspective on the topic, which they may not have held before reading your conclusion
it may also bring your main ideas together to create a new meaning