Drafting: Writing Introductions and Conclusions

Drafting: Writing Introductions and Conclusions Introduction Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Set the right tone Present your thesis Writing your conclusion Your Turn 1: Write introductions Your Turn 2: Write a conclusion

Introduction A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. —Lao-tzu The beginning of or introduction to your composition is where the reader starts his or her journey with you. Parting is such sweet sorrow. —William Shakespeare The ending of or conclusion to your composition is where the reader and your ideas part ways.

Introduction Some of the most memorable moments in relationships are the hellos and goodbyes—when two people first meet and then later part ways. Many readers have similar experiences when they start and finish a good piece of writing. When you write, make sure the first and last parts your readers encounter are engaging and memorable.

Writing your introduction The introduction is an important part of any piece of writing. As the name suggests, this is where your readers are introduced to your ideas. The introduction to a piece of writing should establish the right tone capture your audience’s attention state or suggest your thesis

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Have you ever heard someone described as “great— once you get to know him”? First impressions are important. What first impressions do these people give?

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Your writing must also make a good first impression. The introduction is your chance to capture your audience’s attention and make them want to continue reading.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention To draw your readers in immediately, try beginning your introduction with one of the following attention-getting techniques: Address the reader directly.When readers think about their own connection to the topic, they are more likely to continue reading. Are you familiar with the expression “take your breath away”? That is exactly what happened to me the first time I saw Yosemite Falls.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Tell an anecdote (a short, personal story). Readers are often more interested in a topic when they can see the human side of it. I was anxious the first time I went camping in a remote area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. What would it be like to go without running water, to sleep in a tent, and to cook meals over a campfire? To my surprise, I found that though it wasn’t easy, it was incredibly relaxing.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Ask an intriguing question. Readers will stick around to see how you answer the question you’ve posed. What is 264 feet tall, 35 feet wide, and 1,650 years old? When you explore nature, you never know what you might find along the way.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Define a key word that is important to understanding your topic. Some readers respond well to being logically—rather than emotionally—engaged by the topic. According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition, a glacier is “a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface.” Many of the Sierra Nevada’s unique landforms are a result of glacial movement over millions of years.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Start with an interesting quotation. Many people—famous and ordinary alike—have probably made interesting comments that relate to your topic. John Muir, famous naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, wrote, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” This holds true whether you are walking the Sierra Nevada Mountains or your local park.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention Kara, a student writing about dog training, decided to start her paper with an interesting quotation. Every pet owner wants a well-behaved animal. According to Lynn Johnston, a local professional dog trainer, it is not necessary to have lots of money in order to have a well-behaved dog. “Expensive food and fancy toys won’t make your dog happy.”

Writing your introductionSet the right tone Toneis the attitude toward your subject that is revealed in your writing. As you craft your introduction, establish a tone that is appropriate to the audience and the purpose of your writing. For example, your tone might be wry critical objective logical cynical impassioned detached formal humorous

Writing your introductionSet the right tone Kara is writing an article for her school newspaper, and she decided that she should use an informal tone. She’ll use simple, ordinary language, including contractions colloquialisms slang shorter, simpler sentence structures

Writing your introductionPresent your thesis A writer often ends an introduction by presenting his or her thesis to the reader. Whether you have anexplicit thesis statementor animplied thesis,presenting your thesis just before the body of your paper is like telling your reader, “Now that I’ve got your attention, here’s an idea of what you’re going to be reading about.”

Writing your introductionPresent your thesis Here is Kara’s thesis statement: If you want a well-behaved dog, you have to commit to giving your pet regular exercise, clear rules, and loads of affection.

Writing your introduction Note that Kara’s tone, attention-getting technique, and thesis work together to make an effective introduction. Every pet owner wants a well-behaved animal. According to Lynn Johnston, a local professional dog trainer, it is not necessary to have lots of money in order to have a well-behaved dog. “Expensive food and fancy toys won’t make your dog happy.”If you want a well-behaved dog, you have to commit to giving your pet regular exercise, clear rules, and loads of affection. informal tone interesting quotation thesis statement

Writing your conclusion The conclusion of a piece of writing is just as important as the introduction. Your conclusion is your last chance to influence and make an impression on your readers. Your conclusion should tie your ideas together make a strong impression give your reader a sense of completion

Writing your conclusion One way to tie all of your ideas together is torestate your thesis and summarize your main points. Don’t repeat the same words and sentences; find new ways to express your ideas. The benefits of even a short nature walk are long lasting. They include a sense of calm, a positive attitude, and a fresh perspective on the world around you.

Writing your conclusion Answer the question “So what?” To make an impression on your readers, show them that the topic is important by relating it to their lives. Why should you bother to seek out nature? Because nature does not care if you are rich or poor, young or old. Nature does not judge you. Instead, if you let it, nature rewards you.

Writing your conclusion End with a final thought. Give your readers a thoughtful comment, a personal reaction, or an insight that ties your ideas both to the readers’ experience and to the world in general. The grandeur of the Sierra Nevada is indescribable. Whether you visit Yosemite for a day or spend a week hiking on remote trails, you will leave with a sense of serenity and gratitude.

Writing your conclusion Kara has written a strong conclusion to her essay on dog training. What strategy did she use? If you make the effort to give your dog the exercise, discipline, and love it needs, you will be rewarded for your efforts. A happy, secure, and well-behaved dog can be a loyal and affectionate companion for many years. restatement of thesis final thought

Your Turn 1: Write introductions Write two short introductions to a composition about your school’s lunchroom. In each, use a different attention-getting technique from the list below. Be sure to set an appropriate tone and introduce your thesis. • address the reader directly • tell an anecdote • ask an intriguing question • give a quotation that relates to your topic • define a key word that is important to understanding your thesis

Your Turn 2: Write a conclusion Write a conclusion to a composition about your school’s lunch room. Use at least one of the strategies below. • Restate the thesis and summarize the main points. • Answer the question “So what?” • Leave readers with a final thought.

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Drafting: Writing Introductions and Conclusions