Writing Introductions. Mr. Hendy Industries

Transcription

1 Writing Introductions Mr. Hendy Industries

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3 Most basic essays follow the same formula: Paragraph #1: Introduction Structure P #2: Supporting detail (strongest point) P #3: Supporting detail (weakest point) P #4: Supporting detail (second strongest point) P #5: Conclusion

4 It is a paragraph at the beginning of an essay that does 3 things What IS an introduction paragraph? Starts with an attention grabber Provides background information about the topic the essay will discuss Finally, it includes a THESIS statement: the argument that you are basing your entire essay on

5 Let s first look at a few examples

6 I started to dread arithmetic back in the third grade because I didn't want to memorize the multiplication tables. Unlike learning how to read, studying math seemed to have no purpose other than to give me massive headaches and shattered nerves. The alphabet was a wonderful code that, when deciphered, entertained me with stories and revealed all kinds of secrets about the world. Multiplication tables, on the other hand, just told me how much six times nine was. There was no joy in knowing that. Although even in third grade I understood that I shared with many other students a terrible fear and hatred of mathematics, I drew little comfort from that fact. Since then, I have struggled with math for a number of reasons.

7 The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. This quote by Marcel Proust speaks about discovering what is right in front of you simply by seeing things differently, with new eyes. The main character, Jonas, in Lowis Lowry s The Giver goes through a similar experience when he discovers his Capacity to See Beyond. Jonas begins to see his community differently, with an awareness that most people in the community simply did not have. Although the book begins with what seems to be a perfect place, it turns out that the people in the community are living shallow and superficial lives. In the end, Jonas learns to value his new way seeing and chooses to risk everything to restore awareness to everyone in the community.

8 The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. This quote by Marcel Proust speaks about discovering what is right in front of you simply by seeing things differently, with new eyes. The main character, Jonas, in Lowis Lowry s The Giver goes through a similar experience when he discovers his Capacity to See Beyond. Jonas begins to see his community differently, with an awareness that most people in the community simply did not have. Although the book begins with what seems to be a perfect place, it turns out that the people in the community are living shallow and superficial lives. In the end, Jonas learns to value his new way seeing and chooses to risk everything to restore awareness to everyone in the community.

9 Start with an Attention Grabber You want the introduction of your essay to grab the reader s attention and make them want to read on. Some ways you can do that are: Dialogue from the text A question Anecdote Shocking statement

10 Attention Grabber Examples Have you ever wondered what it would be like to build a perfect community? What is your idea of a perfect community? No fear? No violence? No crime? What if to get that, you had no choices? When adapting a book into a film, who gets the final word on what should be changed? Regardless of who they are, the person who did that for The Giver adaptation should be fired.

11 Follow up with Background Information Usually 3-4 sentences In these sentences, make sure that you give some background about the main argument of your essay Arguing that the movie was a better representation of the story because it had more realistic portrayals of the characters? Well, you better talk briefly about the IMPORTANCE of having realistic characters.

12 Follow Up Example Choices and freedom are, perhaps, the most important features of humanity. This is no more obvious when we, as a society, strip away the freedom of people who commit crimes. In Lowis Lowry s novel, The Giver, the themes of freedom and choice are paramount; seeping into each and every major decision the main characters face.

13 Finish with a Thesis Statement A thesis statement is one sentence that tells your reader clearly and exactly what the essay is going to be about. It MUST link to the background information provided directly above. Your thesis statement will probably be written first.

14 How to Phrase it Don t Write The film adaptation of The Giver was better than the novel. Do Write This essay will discuss the reasons why the major themes of The Giver were better presented in the book rather than the film.

15 How to Phrase it Don t Write As you can see, freedom is very important. Do Write This essay will discuss the ways in which the theme of freedom is better portrayed in the book rather than the film version.

16 What is your idea of a perfect community? No fear? No violence? No crime? What if to get that, you had no choices? Choices and freedom are, perhaps, the most important features of humanity. This is no more obvious when we, as a society, strip away the freedom of people who commit crimes. In Lowis Lowry s novel, The Giver, the themes of freedom and choice are paramount; seeping into each and every major decision the main characters face. Therefore, this essay will discuss the ways in which the theme of freedom is better portrayed in the book rather than the film version.

17 What is your idea of a perfect community? No fear? No violence? No crime? What if to get that, you had no choices? These are some of the big ideas and key questions in Lois Lowery s novel, The Giver. Indeed, the book is bursting with deep questions about society, innocence, perfection, and the meaning of life. It is a novel that challenges its reader to constantly think and question the way things are. The recent film adaptation of this book, however, does no justice to the big ideas introduced in the novel. Therefore, this essay will discuss the various ways in which important ideas and themes were not included in the movie and why that makes the novel the better version of Lowis Lowery s story.