2. Developing Compositions Language Network

3. Structure of a Composition From Paragraphs to Compositions Parts of a Composition Developing Compositions

4. Composition A composition is a group of paragraphs dealing with one main idea. From Paragraphs to Compositions

5. A good composition has the same characteristics as a well-written paragraph: a variety of details that develop and support the main idea a main idea a logical flow from each part to the next From Paragraphs to Compositions

6. A composition has three main sections: the introduction the conclusion introduction body conclusion the body Parts of a Composition

7. The introduction presents the main idea, grabs the reader’s attention, and sets the tone. introduction Parts of a Composition

8. Each of the paragraphs in the body develops a different aspect of the main idea or thesis statement. body Parts of a Composition

9. The conclusion sums up the ideas presented in the composition. conclusion Parts of a Composition

10. Thesis and Introduction Developing Compositions Crafting a Thesis Statement Writing an Introduction

11. Thesis Statement A thesis statement states the main idea of a composition. A thesis statement is usually a single sentence, but it may be two or more sentences. It is almost always located in the introduction. Crafting a Thesis Statement

12. tell the subject of your composition show your point of view on the subject A successful thesis statement should be a statement that can be supported Crafting a Thesis Statement

13. “In this paper I will show that....” A thesis statement should not be stated as an announcement. Crafting a Thesis Statement

14. Here’s How Crafting a Thesis Statement Study your research notes on your subject. Decide what interests you most and use that as your angle of approach to the subject. Write one or more sentences that introduce your subject and express your approach to it. Crafting a Thesis Statement

15. Introduction The first paragraph of a composition is the introduction. This section presents the thesis statement and sets the tone for the composition. Writing an Introduction

16. Open with a lively description. Begin with a startling effect. Use a quotation. The introductory paragraph should grab the reader’s attention and make him or her want to continue reading. Here are some techniques that will help you capture your audience’s attention. Writing an Introduction

17. PROFESSIONAL MODEL OPEN WITH A LIVELY DESCRIPTION On a cloudy August afternoon, the cry goes up for a fishing party. We dig for worms, rustle through the barn for a net, check the hooks and leaders, grab a few poles, and soon we’re off in the old red pickup, headed down to the trout stream through a narrow backroad that is closed in the winter. —Christopher Kimball, “A Fisher of Children” Writing an Introduction

18. PROFESSIONAL MODEL BEGIN WITH A STARTLING EFFECT Every year in the Danish town of Silkeborg, thousands of visitors file past the face of a murder victim. No one will ever know his name. It is enough to know that 2,000 years ago he was as human as ourselves. —Maurice Shadbolt, “Who Killed the Bog Men of Denmark? And Why?” Writing an Introduction

19. PROFESSIONAL MODEL USE A QUOTATION “A flute,” wrote an early nineteenth-century British critic, “is a musical weed which springs up everywhere.” —Nancy Toff, The Flute Book Writing an Introduction

20. Developing Compositions Body of a Composition Writing the Body Paragraphing

21. Body The paragraphs that develop the thesis statement make up the body of a composition. The body can range in length from several paragraphs to many pages. Writing the Body

22. In the body of a composition, you carry out the main purpose of the composition. Your purpose might be to explain a process to support an opinion to develop a definition to present an argument to present research to analyze a situation Writing the Body

23. focus on a single idea support the thesis reflect a logical pattern of organization What should body paragraphs do? Writing the Body

24. Paragraphing Paragraphing, or separating the body of your composition into paragraphs, makes your writing easier for readers to follow and helps you develop each idea clearly. Paragraphing

25. Start a new paragraph when you come to the end of your introduction a new idea or set of facts a change of emphasis a change of time or setting the conclusion of your composition a change of speaker in dialogue Paragraphing

26. Developing Compositions Conclusion Writing a Conclusion Techniques for Wrapping Up

27. Conclusion In the conclusion of a composition— usually the final paragraph—you sum up the ideas you have developed and leave the reader with a firm understanding of your position on the subject. Writing a Conclusion

28. A successful conclusion should wrap up the ideas you have developed follow logically from the rest of your composition leave the reader with something to think about Writing a Conclusion

29. A conclusion should not introduce new ideas or simply repeat the introduction. Writing a Conclusion

30. Although all good conclusions “wrap things up,” they do so in a variety of ways. Here are some techniques you might try. Review and summarize. Restate the central idea. Make a generalization. Make a prediction. End with a quotation. End with a call for action. End with a question. Techniques for Wrapping Up

31. PROFESSIONAL MODEL END WITH A QUESTION Reading about extreme biking is a great deal easier than living through it. You might wonder what motivated these riders to take the risks they did. Was it excitement? curiosity? pride? a complicated mixture of several motives? What would it take to get you out on that biking trail? Techniques for Wrapping Up

32. PROFESSIONAL MODEL MAKE A PREDICTION You’d think that escaping a hungry grizzly bear would be enough adventure for one lifetime, but whatever made these three men bike the Alaska Range probably hasn’t been satisfied yet. People who thrive on facing challenges don’t usually stop once they’ve achieved a goal. They might rest for a while, but eventually the bug will bite them again. Right now, Roman Dial is probably wondering if it’s possible to bike to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Techniques for Wrapping Up