Writing Introductions

and Conclusions

Introduction Paragraphs

• Attention-Getter (Hook)• Context• Bridge• Thesis

First Sentence Don’ts• Don’t:– Apologize. Never suggest that you don't know

what you're talking about or that you're not enough of an expert in this matter that your opinion would matter. Your reader will quickly turn to something else.• Avoid phrases like the following: – In my opinion . . . OR I'm not sure, but . . .

– Start with a rhetorical question.• Have you ever wondered what the world would be

like if it were made of marshmallows?

First Sentence Don’ts• Don’t:– Announce your intentions about what you are

about to do in an essay. • In this paper I will . . . • The purpose of this essay is to . . .

– Use a dictionary or encyclopedia definition. • According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, a

widget is . . .– Start too generically.• Many people don’t know much about spiders.• Prejudice happens everywhere.

Examples:

• Though it is a sad truth, most people in the U.S. willingly spend their hard-earned cash by investing in retarded technology.

• Every country is different.• Students can be expelled from school for

certain situations such as bringing a knife to school.

• In this paper I will address the merits of gum.

• According to dictionary.com, power is “The ability to do something or act in a particular way, esp. as a faculty or quality.”

• What is power? According to dictionary.com, power is “The ability to do something or act in a particular way, esp. as a faculty or quality.”

• Power is everywhere.• In my opinion, power is a bad thing.• Have you ever wondered what the world would be

like without power?• “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you

want to test a man's character, give him power.” – Abraham Lincoln

Conclusion Paragraph

• Restate your thesis in a different way; don’t rewrite.

• Review or summarize your main points throughout the essay.

• Relate your argument to the broader world; use an example from today’s society.

• Round off your essay to leave readers with a final, lasting impression.

Example:William Golding uses his novel to show intelligence

is sacrificed when survival is necessary. The boys on the island fail to acknowledge Piggy’s point of view, despite his important ideas. Jack and his hunters obsess about hunting and ignore any sense of order or logic they once had. The deaths of the two boys at the end of the novel represent a complete loss in intellect and thought that has occurred throughout the novel. Golding’s views carry over to today’s society, where criminals often make stupid mistakes to keep from being apprehended and others make rash decisions in life and death situations. Golding shows that those who can maintain their intellect in those instances are the most admirable human beings.

Example:William Golding uses his novel to show intelligence

is sacrificed when survival is necessary. The boys on the island fail to acknowledge Piggy’s point of view, despite his important ideas. Jack and his hunters obsess about hunting and ignore any sense of order or logic they once had. The deaths of the two boys at the end of the novel represent a complete loss in intellect and thought that has occurred throughout the novel. Golding’s views carry over to today’s society, where criminals often make stupid mistakes to keep from being apprehended and others make rash decisions in life and death situations. Golding shows that those who can maintain their intellect in those instances are the most admirable human beings.

Resta

te

Example:William Golding uses his novel to show intelligence

is sacrificed when survival is necessary. The boys on the island fail to acknowledge Piggy’s point of view, despite his important ideas. Jack and his hunters obsess about hunting and ignore any sense of order or logic they once had. The deaths of the two boys at the end of the novel represent a complete loss in intellect and thought that has occurred throughout the novel. Golding’s views carry over to today’s society, where criminals often make stupid mistakes to keep from being apprehended and others make rash decisions in life and death situations. Golding shows that those who can maintain their intellect in those instances are the most admirable human beings.

Review

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Example:William Golding uses his novel to show intelligence

is sacrificed when survival is necessary. The boys on the island fail to acknowledge Piggy’s point of view, despite his important ideas. Jack and his hunters obsess about hunting and ignore any sense of order or logic they once had. The deaths of the two boys at the end of the novel represent a complete loss in intellect and thought that has occurred throughout the novel. Golding’s views carry over to today’s society, where criminals often make stupid mistakes to keep from being apprehended and others make rash decisions in life and death situations. Golding shows that those who can maintain their intellect in those instances are the most admirable human beings.

Relate

Example:William Golding uses his novel to show intelligence

is sacrificed when survival is necessary. The boys on the island fail to acknowledge Piggy’s point of view, despite his important ideas. Jack and his hunters obsess about hunting and ignore any sense of order or logic they once had. The deaths of the two boys at the end of the novel represent a complete loss in intellect and thought that has occurred throughout the novel. Golding’s views carry over to today’s society, where criminals often make stupid mistakes to keep from being apprehended and others make rash decisions in life and death situations. Golding shows that those who can maintain their intellect in those instances are the most admirable human beings.

Round off