Writing introductions and conclusions You need your notebooks

1. Writing introductions and conclusionsYou need your notebooks

2. Writing Introductions • An introduction tells readers what your paper is going to be about. It should have: • An introductory statement that lets readers know what your paper is about. • Background information on your topic. • Thesis (argument - what your paper is about) • Preview or “road map” - what is your paper going to cover? What are your main points? • This can be 1/4 to 1/2 of a page. It should be a full paragraph (shoot for at least 4-6 sentences)

3. Example 1 “Broken Chain” by Gary Soto is a story that many young people can relate to. It tells the story of insecure Alfonso, who is trying to find a bike for his potential girlfriend, Sandra, to ride. When describing the types of conflict of “Broken Chain” readers see there are external and internal conflicts. First, there is an external conflict between Alfonso and his brother, and second, there is an internal conflict Alfonso has with himself.

4. Example 2 Thomas Hardy was one of the most influential writers of the late 1800s. His novel Tess of the D’Urbervillesis one of his most famous novels. It tells the story of a young girl, Tess, who has an extremely hard life. Throughout the novel she endures many hardships. Tess is a complex character. Her experiences, naiveté, and perseverance make her one of literature’s great characters.

5. Example 3 Twilight is arguably one of the most popular young adult novels of its time. In the story, Bella Swan moves to Forks, Washington where everything isn’t as it seems. She meets Edward Cullen who is a vampire, and they fall in love. Throughout the story, Edward and Bella must decide if their all-consuming love is practical due to their interesting circumstances. When characterizing Bella, one might describe her as full of angst, irresponsible and obsessive.

6. Your Thesis • Thesis: what you’re trying to say. • Generally, reword the prompt. • Examples: • The character of Billy Weaver is naïve. • The mood of the story can be described as mysterious, unsettling and eerie. • There are multiple conflicts in the story.

7. Your Preview • Preview: the main points of your paragraph/essay. • You can work this into your thesis statement. • Examples: • Billy allows himself to be lured in the Landlady, thinks nothing of the fact his hotel is so cheap and stays despite warning signs. • The mood of the story can be described as mysterious, unsettling and eerie.(Underlined part = preview) • The conflicts are when Alfonso’s chain breaks, when Ernie won’t give him his bike, and the problems he has with his appearance.

8. Practice • You will turn this in for points • Practice writing an introduction on the following topic: • The Hunger Games-Katniss as the symbol of rebellion. • Use the three main points • Remember to have: • Introductory Sentence • Background Information • Thesis • Preview

9. Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games is a wildly popular young adult novel that explores the idea of rebellion. Past rebellion is shown in the story of district 13 and clearly conveys the message of rebel and die. The main character, Katniss, however, goes against this warning and embodies rebellion in her actions and attitudes before, during, and after the games. Practice • You will turn this in for points • Practice writing an introduction on the following topic: • Katniss as a symbol of rebellion • Use the three main points • Remember to have: • Introductory Sentence • Background Information • Thesis • Preview Done? Turn in on front table. Not done? It’s homework!

10. Writing Effective Paragraphs - Transitions • Transitions are an important part of a paragraph – they’re words that take you from one idea to the next. • At the beginning of body paragraphs: “The first reason,” “The next reason,” etc. • Other transition words: also, additionally, next, in addition to, furthermore, etc.

11. Transitions in Your Essay • The first way Katniss embodies rebellion is… • The second way in which the main character reflects the idea of rebellion can be seen… • The final way in which the character of Katniss shows rebellion is…

12. Writing Conclusions • Writing a conclusion tells us what you told us in your paper. You should: • Use a transition. • Restate your thesis • Give a sentence summing up each body paragraph • Leave us with a final concluding thought (statement). • Your conclusion should be about 1/4 of a page (at least 3 sentences).

13. Example 1 In conclusion, “Broken Chain” is full of conflicts. The first conflict is external. Alfonso and his brother Ernie do not get along. The second conflict is internal. Alfonso is very unhappy with the way he looks. At the end of the story, both conflicts are solved. Ernie lends Alfonso his bike, allowing him to ride bikes with Sandra. Because Sandra clearly is romantically interested in Alfonso, his self-esteem has increased, leaving him happy.

14. Example 2 In conclusion, Tess is a complex character. She goes through many tragic experiences in the novel, which only make her stronger. Though she starts the novel as a very naïve, trusting girl, she learns very harsh lessons about life. Even though she preserves through the novel, life is still too hard for her. Hardy’s uses Tess to tell readers that sometimes a person’s circumstance works against them and they will have a terrible, unhappy life.

15. Example 3 In the novel, Twilight, protagonist Bella Swan can be described as full of angst, irresponsible and obsessive. Like most teenagers, Bella is perpetually unhappy and anxious about her life. She makes irresponsible decisions that readers may find irritating, yet bring her closer to Edward. Her love for Edward is all consuming, bordering on obsession. Though Twilight is a popular novel, some readers may find it to be too melodramatic.