Reflexive Essay: Introduction

1. Reflexive Essay: Introduction “The beginning is the most important part of the work” ~ Plato

2. In the beginning: Your introduction should start in the middle of the action. Toss out information as you relay the story (keep the reader interested--- and investigating) DON’T: Force feed your reader the info. At the end of the introduction I should know: Basically the “defining moment”/ event Where it is taking place Who the main characters are

3. Stuck in the Middle with You • Immerse your reader in the action from sentence 1. • Ex 1: A defining moment in my life was when my parents dropped me off at college. It was freshman orientation day and I was already scared. Going to college 4 hours away from my home took courage. • Ex 2: As I watched the sky blue Highlander disappear around the corner, I felt my confidence deflate like an old balloon. I turned and looked at the enormous tan prison in front of me that would be my home for the next year of my life. Safe in Houston, Dallas had seemed to be an adventurous choice for higher education; orientation was not a good day for second thoughts. • Which story grabs your attention more? (There is a right answers here)

4. Stuck in the Middle with You cont… Notice the 2nd example put the reader right in the middle of the memory/ action This technique also helps your reader discover bits of info. without being “force fed” the crucial details

5. See I'm all about them words • Who are my characters? What is the setting? What might my defining moment be about? • As I watched the sky blue Highlander disappear around the corner, I felt my confidence deflate like an old balloon. I turned and looked at the enormous tan prison in front of me that would be my home for the next year of my life. Safe in Houston, Dallas had seemed to be an adventurous choice for higher education; orientation was not a good day for second thoughts. • Notice in the 2nd example I gave the SAME information as the first but I let my reader discover it as they read. (Plus I made it a story!)

6. Life's like an hourglass, glued to the table Creativity is KEY! Tell your reader an interesting story. Don’t just relay facts give DETAILS and interesting descriptions. Add in literary elements to spice up your writing and give your reader a clearer picture of what you are trying to convey.

7. Life's like an hourglass, glued to the table cont… Adjectives!  Simile! Metaphor! (it’s freaking color code…you can find it) • As I watched the sky blue Highlander disappear around the corner, I felt my confidence deflate like an old balloon. I turned and looked at the enormous tan prison in front of me that would be my home for the next year of my life. Safe in Houston, Dallas had seemed to be an adventurous choice for higher education; orientation was not a good day for second thoughts.

8. Remember: You are telling a story so there is an element of creativity. Don’t force information on your reader, let them discover it Set the stage for the rest of your essay by introducing: setting, characters and event.

9. Reflexive Essay: Body Your (essay’s) Body is a Wonderland…of details! 

10. Let’s get this party started! So you have a setting, characters and idea…where to you go from here? Straight on to the body paragraph! That’s where! In a reflexive essay there can be as many or as few body paragraphs as you like. Just remember new paragraphs are started when: There is dialogue and the person speaking changes A new idea is introduced A change of time frame or setting

11. Body Language Your body paragraph should elaborate on the event/ moment you began in your intro. The body needs “add-ins”: Dialogue (substantial and contributes to the story) Show and not telling (the 5 senses imagery) 4 Literary Elements (STRONG) Voice (your personality should show through) Remember detail is good, but don’t loose sight of the story (make sure your “add-ins” are relevant to the paper).

12. Dialogue: Look Who’s Talking I sighed heavily, “Thank goodness it’s Friday. I am so ready for the weekend.” “I couldn’t agree more,” April answered. “Did you want to catch that new movie tonight?” Amanda looked up, “Ooo the horror flick or the romantic comedy? I vote horror…blood and guts and carnage OH MY!” comma BEFORE the quotations New person speaking= indent!!!

13. Showing vs Telling (with some voice thrown in!) Telling: I wanted to go to the park with my dog, but it was raining. Showing: Milo bounded up and down excitedly around my feet, he had seen the leash, that was my first mistake. His bushy, brown tail beat a rhythm against my leg as I grabbed my purse. I tossed a careless look over my shoulder only to see my window streaked with water, and the pane was ice under my warm palm.

14. Check it out: • Milo bounded up and down excitedly around my feet, he had seen the leash, that was my first mistake. His bushy, brown tailbeat a rhythm against my leg as I grabbed my purse. I tossed a careless look over my shoulder only to see my window streaked with water, and the pane was ice under my warm palm. • Identify the colored words

15. Literary Elements: Don’t be lame • You need 4 in your paper (1 simile, 1 metaphor and 2 other) • Make them strong and relevant! • Make sure it fits with your story • He was big like an elephant (WEAK!) • I was dropped like a hot pop tart on a cold kitchen floor. (AWESOME– creative and good imagery)

16. Remember: • As important as it is to make your event detailed and interesting you still need: • Make sure you keep your story focused and on track • You remember the center of your story (regret, relief, change of belief, personal growth and courage) that is the idea you are building to/ building on