Introductions and Introductions and ConclusionsConclusions

Writing the EssayWriting the Essay

ENG 10ENG 10

Save the first for lastSave the first for last  Have at least a working version of Have at least a working version of

major thesis before drafting but save major thesis before drafting but save the introduction for later.the introduction for later.

Then it will truly introduce what’s Then it will truly introduce what’s actually written instead of what writer actually written instead of what writer intended. (So be willing to rework if intended. (So be willing to rework if needed)needed)

This ties the introduction more This ties the introduction more effectively to the conclusion by writing effectively to the conclusion by writing them both at the same time.them both at the same time.

Attention-getting openingsAttention-getting openings A startling fact or bit of information A startling fact or bit of information A meaningful quotation A meaningful quotation A universal idea related to your thesisA universal idea related to your thesis A thought-provoking question A thought-provoking question An interesting anecdote, story, or An interesting anecdote, story, or

dramatic episode dramatic episode A rich, vivid description or image A rich, vivid description or image A fresh analogy or metaphor A fresh analogy or metaphor

Let’s try:Let’s try:Attention-getting openingsAttention-getting openings A rich, vivid description or A rich, vivid description or

image image A fresh analogy or metaphor A fresh analogy or metaphor

Effective introductions Effective introductions “ “can stop traffic”can stop traffic”

Openings to avoidOpenings to avoid Dictionary definitions of words Dictionary definitions of words

your reader should know. your reader should know. ““Did you know?” or “Have you Did you know?” or “Have you

ever wondered?” rhetorical ever wondered?” rhetorical questions questions

““This paper will be about …” “In This paper will be about …” “In this paper I will prove” this paper I will prove”

More opening mistakes to avoidMore opening mistakes to avoid Beginning too far away from your Beginning too far away from your

actual topic (“There are many novels, actual topic (“There are many novels, all of which have characters. Some all of which have characters. Some characters are heroes, and some are characters are heroes, and some are not.”) not.”)

A “book report” list of irrelevant facts A “book report” list of irrelevant facts (William Shakespeare lived in the (William Shakespeare lived in the Elizabethan era in England. He wrote Elizabethan era in England. He wrote many plays. One of these plays was many plays. One of these plays was Hamlet.) Hamlet.)

Hint about openingsHint about openings

When previewing When previewing main topics in your main topics in your introduction, make introduction, make sure you list them sure you list them in the order in in the order in which they appear which they appear in your paper. in your paper.

What goes in the introductionWhat goes in the introduction

Preparation for your reader so that Preparation for your reader so that he/she will be “warmed up” and ready for he/she will be “warmed up” and ready for the points you are going to make.the points you are going to make.

Essential background about your topic and Essential background about your topic and preparation for your major thesis. preparation for your major thesis.

Road maps for the rest of the essay, posing Road maps for the rest of the essay, posing important ideas or questions you will consider important ideas or questions you will consider in your paper in your paper

The intro & the thesis sentenceThe intro & the thesis sentence

Introduction ends with your Introduction ends with your major thesis. major thesis.

Make special attempts to link the Make special attempts to link the TS to the sentence that precedes TS to the sentence that precedes it it by building on a key word or by building on a key word or idea. idea.

Ending the essayEnding the essay

The conclusionThe conclusion Your conclusion wraps up your Your conclusion wraps up your

argument and leaves the reader with argument and leaves the reader with some final things to think about.some final things to think about.

Your conclusion should stem from Your conclusion should stem from what you have already written.what you have already written. Transition here is really important – think Transition here is really important – think

about how you used the sentence before about how you used the sentence before your thesis statement and see if you can your thesis statement and see if you can do the same thing before the beginning of do the same thing before the beginning of your conclusion!your conclusion!

Purpose of the conclusionPurpose of the conclusion Should Should echoecho the major thesis the major thesis

without repeating words without repeating words verbatim. verbatim.

Should move Should move beyondbeyond TS to reflect TS to reflect on significance of ideas just on significance of ideas just presented.presented.

Should indicate why these ideas Should indicate why these ideas are important. are important.

Effective conclusionsEffective conclusions Reflect on how topic relates to Reflect on how topic relates to

larger issues (in the lit, in society, larger issues (in the lit, in society, in history, in writer’s life) in history, in writer’s life)

Show how topic affects the Show how topic affects the reader’s life reader’s life

Evaluate the concepts presented Evaluate the concepts presented Issue a call for action on the part Issue a call for action on the part

of the audience of the audience

More about effective conclusionsMore about effective conclusions

Ask questions Ask questions generated by generated by essay’s findings essay’s findings

Make predictions Make predictions

Recommend a Recommend a solution solution

Even more about effective conclusionsEven more about effective conclusions

Connect back to Connect back to introduction, esp. introduction, esp. if writer used a if writer used a metaphor, metaphor, anecdote, or vivid anecdote, or vivid image image

Conclusions to avoid:Conclusions to avoid: Beginning with “In conclusion …”Beginning with “In conclusion …” Restating thesis and main points Restating thesis and main points

without adding anything new – it is without adding anything new – it is NOT a summary! NOT a summary!

Bringing up a new topic (different from Bringing up a new topic (different from personal example being added)personal example being added)

Adding irrelevant details Adding irrelevant details (esp. just to make a paper longer) (esp. just to make a paper longer)

The information in this presentation comes from the The information in this presentation comes from the following sourcefollowing source

Writing with Style: Conversations Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writingon the Art of Writing by John by John TrimbleTrimble