1. Introductions Introductions should generate interest in an essay, provide context (background information), and clarify the main point.

2. Overall Structure: Funnel General—context Specific—main point (thesis) About 1/3-1/2 page for 3-4 page essay

3. Things to Avoid A dictionary definition (unless really needed) – According to the state of Illinois, a state park is “a designated area set aside for public use that...” Announcement of topic or restatement of title – This essay will discuss the unique town of Oglesby. (Especially if the essay title is Oglesby: A Unique Hometown) Overly broad generalization – There are many different places in the world. – Everyone has a special place in this world.

4. Better Strategies to Try Quotation – Something you’ve heard people say about the place, a slogan, etc. – “No place so close can take you so far.” – Such a quotation would need to be common knowledge—something commonly said/known or available in multiple sources/locations—and use quotation marks.

5. Anecdote or short narrative – Some short representative story about the place, either based on your own experience or even hypothetical – At 8:00 am on a sunny August morning, Rachel is sitting in her first college class, Composition I. She is twenty-seven years old.

6. Interesting fact – Something about the place to get attention – Most people agree that $3,600 is a large sum of money. However, it is significantly less than $13,600. – Such a fact would need to be common knowledge.

7. Question – Rhetorical question related to the place – Where can a college student at any stage of life complete two years of accredited coursework, earn a degree or certificate, be poised to transfer to a top-notch university or begin a profitable career, and save thousands of dollars?

8. Definition – Your own stipulate, specific definition of some concept or quality associated with the place – Value can be defined as quality at a fair, affordable price.

9. Basic background information – Location, brief history, etc. – Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) began in 1924 as LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College and became Illinois Valley Community College in 1966. One of the oldest community colleges in the state of Illinois, IVCC serves a district that includes all or part of eight different counties in Northern Illinois. – Make sure the background information is common knowledge. – REMINDER: Other than a slogan or common saying, exact words and phrasing are never considered common knowledge.

10. Conclusions What last impression do I want to make? Conclusions should reinforce the thesis and echo the introduction. In general, they reverse the funnel and lead your reader back out of your essay.

11. Comment or elaborate on some aspect of the introduction – Reiterate and /or comment on the quotation – Finish the narrative – Reemphasize the interesting fact – Finish answering the question – Refer to the definition – Note the significance of the background

12. Writing Activity For your place, write down at least three of the following: – Quotation – Anecdote or short narrative – Interesting fact – Question – Definition