Creative Introductions

The purpose is to “hook” the reader’s attention and

lead into the topic statement.

Dialogue“Wait, wait!” Lauren and I

screamed as we ran down the sidewalk.

“Is he leaving you?” the lady on the bench asked.

List

Confusion, anger, panic, sadness… The list could go on and on. These were my feelings the day my husband left me at a rest stop in Ohio.

List

Hard work, sweat, lots of trash, and a long day…. When I heard that my mom volunteered me for a community clean up, I thought I would die!

OnomatopoeiaRumble, rumble. The

engine started. Brake lights blinked on as he backed slowly from the parking space.

Onomatopoeia

Crunch, crunch, swish…… These were the sounds as I walked through the streets cleaning up my town on a Saturday. (Not my idea of fun.)

Snapshot

We snuggled into the blankets and slept soundly as the van rocked gently. We were finally on our way home to Texas after a three week trip to Michigan. We didn’t wake as the van slowed to a stop.

Snapshot

My family and friends lined up on the main street. Flying garbage circled around us. I took a deep breath and began cleaning my town.

BA-DA-BINGS!

BA-DA-BING!Where you were (BA)What you saw (DA)What you thought (or felt) (BING)

BA-DA-BING!

As I stood in a field of trash, I saw friends and family sweating like pigs, and I thought, “This is going to be the worst day ever!”

BA-DA-BING!Example:I was happy to get a new puppy.

BA-DA-BING!

BA (Where?) As we walked into the pet storeDA (What?) and I saw the adorable new puppy I was

getting for my birthday,BING! (Thoughts?) I thought, “I’m the happiest girl

in the world!”

As we walked into the pet store and I saw the adorable new puppy I was getting for my birthday, I thought, “I’m the happiest girl in the world!”

BA-DA-BING!1. The necklace looked pretty.

BA-DA-BING!

When I looked into the bathroom mirror, I saw the sparkling jewels around my neck and thought, “Wow, they are absolutely stunning!”

BA-DA-BING!2. I was embarrassed.

BA-DA-BING!

Walking into the classroom, I saw a trail of toilet paper stuck to my shoe and thought, “Could this be any more embarrassing?”

BA-DA-BING!3. It was an exciting football game.

BA-DA-BING!

As I looked down on the football field from my seat in the stadium, I saw the receiver cross the line to make the winning touchdown and realized that this was the most exciting game I’d ever seen!

BA-DA-BING!4. I get nervous when I give a speech.

BA-DA-BING!

As I slowly walked up to the front of the class, I looked at all the students staring at me and said to myself, “I think I’m too nervous to give this speech!”

BA-DA-BING!5. I smelled spaghetti cooking in the

kitchen.

BA-DA-BING!

When I walked into the kitchen, I saw spaghetti sauce simmering in a big pot and thought, “Wow! That smells great!”

“SHOW, DON’T TELL”

“SHOW, DON’T TELL”

Don’t TELL your readers what is happening, SHOW them! Write so that your reader can create a mental picture of the action……

“Telling” example:The hallway was crowded.

“Showing” example:As I tried to walk down the hall, I had to

dodge students coming straight at me from the other direction. At the same time, my heels were being stepped on by the students pushing from behind. We were like cattle being herded to the pasture!

“SHOW, DON’T TELL”Don’t TELL your readers about a character in your story,

SHOW them! Write so that your reader can create a mental picture of the person……

“Telling” example:Dally Winston was mean and wild.

“Showing” example:He had an elfish face, with high cheekbones and a

pointed chin, small, sharp animal teeth, and ears like a lynx. His eyes were blue, blazing ice, cold with a hatred of the world. He had spent three years on the wild side of New York and had been arrested at the age of ten. The shade of difference that separates a greaser from a hood wasn’t present in Dally. They have a file on him down at the police station. He had been arrested, got drunk, rode in rodeos, lied, cheated, stole, rolled drunks, jumped small kids – he did everything.

“SHOW, DON’T TELL”“Showing” tips:Use dialogue – It allows the reader to

experience the scene. It tunes the reader into the tone & mood of the situation.

Use sensory words – Your reader needs to be able to see, hear, taste, feel, & smell your description.

Use figurative language – Similes & metaphors help to create an image.

Avoid linking verbs – felt, seemed, tasted, appeared, “to be” words. Instead, show what it felt or tasted like!

NOW, YOU TRY……….

“SHOW, DON’T TELL”

My room was a mess!He has terrible table manners!It was the best party I’ve ever

been to!My best friend is great!The cafeteria was in a state of

chaos!

Wrap ‘em ups

Summary

Close with a summary of your main ideas.

As you can see, it is very important to let the driver know if you get out of the car. Your trip is much more enjoyable if you don’t spend five hours at a rest area.

Personal Comment

Tell a lesson you have learned because of the experience you wrote about in your paper.

One thing I learned on this trip is to always tell the driver if you get out of the car. I never want to be left again!

Begin a New StoryClose with a hint of things to come.

We finally got to Texas and made it home. Our next car trip was to San Antonio and you will never believe what happened this time!

Conclusions

Remember the conclusion to any paper is the final impression that can be made.

It is the last opportunity to get your point across to the reader and leave the reader feeling as if he or she learned something.

Leaving a paper "dangling" without a proper conclusion can seriously devalue what was said in the body itself.