WRITING INTRODUCTIONS

Attention getting hook: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Transition sentence: _______________________________ ______________________________ _____________________________ ____________________________

Thesis:______________________ _____________________ ____________________ ___________________ __________________

WHAT TO AVOID IN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS 1. Dont be too obvious. Avoid bald statements such as In this paper I will discuss the causes of failing oil prices. 2. Dont apologize. Avoid self-critical statements such as I do not have much background in this subject or I am not sure if I am right, but here is my opinion. 3. Dont use overworn expressions. Avoid empty statements such as Love is what makes the world go round or Haste makes waste.

YOUR INTRODUCTION SHOULD INCLUDE: 1) Hook: description, illustration, narration or dialogue that pulls the reader into your paper topic. This should be interesting and specific. 2) Transition: sentence that connects the hook with the thesis 3) Thesis: Sentence (or two) that summarizes the overall main point of the paper. The thesis should answer the prompt question.

Persuasive/Argumentative

Name:

Date:

Argument: Support: Depth: Depth: Depth:

Transition: Support: Depth: Depth: Depth:

2004 -2009, Gretchen Courtney & Associates, Ltd.

Alternate view:

PERSUASIVE/ARGUMENTATIVE.

Body paragraph planner

Persuasive/Argumentative

Name:

Date:

Argument: Support: Depth: Depth: Depth:

Transition: Support: Depth: Depth: Depth:

2004 -2009, Gretchen Courtney & Associates, Ltd.

Alternate view:

PERSUASIVE/ARGUMENTATIVE.

Body paragraph planner

Persuasive/Argumentative

Name:

Date:

Argument: Support: Depth: Depth: Depth:

Transition: Support: Depth: Depth: Depth:

2004 -2009, Gretchen Courtney & Associates, Ltd.

Alternate view:

PERSUASIVE/ARGUMENTATIVE.

Body paragraph planner

WRITING CONCLUSIONS

Restated Thesis: _________________ ____________________ _______________________ _______________________

Transition Sentence: ______________ _______________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Closing: ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________

A conclusion should stress the importance of the thesis statement, give the essay a sense of completeness, and leave a final impression on the reader. Suggestions Answer the question "So What?" Synthesize, don't summarize o Don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. They have read it. Show them how the points you made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together. Redirect your readers

Give your reader something to think about, perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" world. If your introduction went from general to specific, make your conclusion go from specific to general. Think globally.