1. Formal Writing

2. The Beginning: What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement focuses on the main idea of an essay or a speech in one sentence.

3. The Beginning: Where is the thesis statement?
The thesis statement is located in the introductory paragraph and it is explained with supporting evidence throughout the body of the essay or speech.

4. Example: Which of the following would be an example of a thesis statement?
a. “I am going to tell you all about poetry.”
b. “There are lots of things you can learn about the Periodic Table of Elements.”
c. “Much can be said about converting percents, fractions, and decimals.”
d. “The three branches of government that have its own powers and responsibilities are legislative, executive, and judicial.

5. Correct Answer:
d. “The three branches of government that have its own powers and responsibilities are legislative, executive, and judicial.”

6. The Beginning: What is the Introductory Paragraph’s purpose?
A well written introductory paragraph GRABS the reader’s attention.

7. The Beginning: Introductory Paragraph
Includes:
Hook
Thesis statement

8. The Beginning: Introductory Paragraph
Does not include:
Concluding statement
Orally ask, “What is a concluding statement?”
Why don’t we include it in the intro?”

9. The Beginning: How to use Attention Getters
One way to grab the reader’s attention:
State an interesting or startling fact
(Note: This adds curiosity to the introduction!)

10. The Beginning: How to use Attention Getters
Another way to grab the reader’s attention:
Begin your essay or speech by asking a question.
(Note: This gets your audience thinking about your topic!)

11. The Middle: What are Transitions?
Select words that are used to provide coherence to supporting sentences and paragraphs.
Transitional expressions allow the sentences to flow smoothly and connect to each other.
(Think of a musical instrument being played harmoniously!)

12. The Middle: Examples of Transition words
to use
First of all
Because
Secondly
However
Finally
Meanwhile
Therefore
As a result
In addition to
For example

13. The Middle: Where are transitions found?
Transition sentences are usually found at the first sentence of the paragraph.

14. The Middle: Examples of Transitional expressions
“Another example is…”
(give a personal connection!)
“Although this appears to be the case…” (provide a different perspective!)

15. The Middle: What does this element do?
Body paragraph
Includes supporting details

16. The End: What does this element do?
Concluding paragraph
Usually restates the thesis statement in some form

17. The End: What does this element do?
Concluding paragraph
Lets the readers know that the composition is complete.

18. The End: Answer the question “So what?”
Concluding paragraph
Pose a new question
Connect to a bigger picture
Evoke a visual image
Suggest results or a call of action
Orally ask, “What does that mean:
‘Pose a new question’
‘connect to a bigger picture’
‘evoke a visual image’
‘suggest results or a call of action’

19. Example: Which of the following would be an example of a concluding statement?
a. “Because it is easy to see that littering is bad for the ozone layer and needs to be stopped, I urge you to consider your actions before making the problems at hand worse.”
b. “I wonder how technology will affect us ten years from now.”
c. “Now you know how this world is full of community service opportunities.”
d. “Depression, drinking, and death are three issues that Edgar Allan Poe dealt with throughout his lifetime.

20. Correct Answer:
a. “Because it is easy to see that littering is bad for the ozone layer and needs to be stopped, I urge you to consider your actions before making the problems at hand worse.”