Writing Introduction (Pack)

Presentation

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English

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University

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Practice Problem

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Hard

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CCSS

RI. 9-10.2, RL.2.6, RI.11-12.2

Standards-aligned

Burcu DOĞAN ÇELİKER

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15 Slides • 21 Questions

How to write an Introductory Paragraph

Taken from the Writing Pack

Examine the introduction paragraph below. What does it tell us? What kind of information does it include?

Where will the jobs of the future be? Many students who are not sure about their career path may be asking this question. If you already know where you want to work in, you might want to stick to your plan. However, if you are one of the many students who are still confused about which career to follow, I think it is better to choose a job in growing demand in the future.

Examine the introduction paragraph below. What does it tell us? What kind of information does it include?

· It tells your reader what the essay is about.

· It shows your reader how your essay will develop.

· A well-written introductory paragraph introduces the topic clearly with a smooth transition to the thesis statement.

Multiple Choice

Read the following sample introduction paragraphs. Then, decide which one introduces the topic clearly and has a smooth transition to the thesis statement (the focus of the essay).

When you woke up today, you turned on the lights, ran the hot water, watched a bit of TV, drove to work in your car and spoke on your smart phone. Every day, we are surrounded by thousands of useful things for good quality of life that we have now. All of these inventions have been very important to humans, but the one that has been the most important is antibiotics which have continued to improve people’s health over the centuries.

Nowadays, people suffer from different illnesses because of stress. Students have exams and other family members try to earn money. They always feel bad, and they are often ill. There are a lot of inventions that are important to humans, but the one that has been the most important is antibiotics which have continued to improve people’s health over the centuries.

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Strategies for Writing Good Introductions

There are a number of strategies for starting your essays. Sometimes more than one method can be used to start your essay.

The funnel method (Move from general to specific)

In this method, the first sentence is broad and general. It introduces your thesis, and each following sentence is narrower and more focused. Finally, it narrows down to your thesis.

Strategies for Writing Good Introductions

There are a number of strategies for starting your essays. Sometimes more than one method can be used to start your essay.

Defining a word or phrase

Sometimes defining a term or a phrase that will be used throughout the essay is a good strategy. It is a good idea to write a dictionary definition since anyone can consult a dictionary, but it doesn’t always have to be from a dictionary.

Strategies for Writing Good Introductions

There are a number of strategies for starting your essays. Sometimes more than one method can be used to start your essay.

Asking questions

Using questions to attract the attention of your readers is another useful strategy. Then, your essay proceeds to answer the questions you have posted in the introduction.

Strategies for Writing Good Introductions

There are a number of strategies for starting your essays. Sometimes more than one method can be used to start your essay.

Turn about

This strategy involves starting with the idea, belief or opinion that is opposite your own claim or thesis. You first present the opposite party’s opinion, the turnabout with a “but, or, however”, and present your own point of view. This strategy is especially useful in argumentation.

Strategies for Writing Good Introductions

There are a number of strategies for starting your essays. Sometimes more than one method can be used to start your essay.

Using an anecdote

Using a short anecdote is another way to start your essay. If you have a relevant anecdote ready, using it in the introduction will make your essay more interesting and attract the attention of your reader.

Strategies for Writing Good Introductions

There are a number of strategies for starting your essays. Sometimes more than one method can be used to start your essay.

Using quotations

Using quotations in the introduction is another effective way to start your essay. If you have the right quotation that matches your thesis or summarizes what you want to say, it adds flavor to your essay.

Multiple Choice

Read the following sample introductions. Then, identify the technique or techniques used in each one. Remember that the authors might use a combination of techniques.

Animals have been used in medical search for a long time. In recent years animal rights organizations have started a controversy whether it is ethical or not to use animals for the benefits of medical progress. They believe that animals are equal to humans and that they have equal rights with human beings. In my opinion, animals have some rights, but humans with their more developed brains are superior to them; therefore, if there is no other alternative, animals may be used in medical research.

The Funnel Method

Asking Questions

Turn about

Using an anecdote

Using Quotations

Multiple Choice

Read the following sample introductions. Then, identify the technique or techniques used in each one. Remember that the authors might use a combination of techniques.

Turkish governments have been trying to join the European Union for years. Despite all the difficult tasks that have to be achieved in order to join the EU, Turkish government is persistent. Turkish citizens seem to agree with their governments, too. Why are we insisting on becoming a member of the union then? The differences between lifestyles of Turkish and EU citizens lead to this demand for citizenship.

The Funnel Method

Asking Questions

Turn about

Using an anecdote

Using Quotations

Multiple Choice

Read the following sample introductions. Then, identify the technique or techniques used in each one. Remember that the authors might use a combination of techniques.

In a myth it is told that once humans did not have gender. They were neither male nor female. One day they made one of the gods angry and he punished them. He separated them into two parts: male and female. Also, he put them away from each other to make them look for their partners all over the world. For centuries and centuries, it went on like that, people searching for the missing part of the puzzle, their missing half. This missing part forms difference between males and females.

The Funnel Method

Asking Questions

Turn about

Using an anecdote

Using Quotations

Multiple Choice

Read the following sample introductions. Then, identify the technique or techniques used in each one. Remember that the authors might use a combination of techniques.

San Francisco is a fascinating city with a very special character. Each year, thousands of tourists from the United States and other countries visit San Francisco to enjoy its unique style. Many important events contributed to the character of San Francisco, including the California gold rush, the earthquake of 1906, immigration from Mexico, and the rise of the computer industry. However, the gold rush was the most important of these events, and it affected the character of San Francisco in many ways.

The Funnel Method

Asking Questions

Turn about

Using an anecdote

Using Quotations

Multiple Select

Read the following sample introductions. Then, identify the technique or techniques used in each one. Remember that the authors might use a combination of techniques.

Taoism is an ancient philosophy from Asia that places great importance on the natural world. Taoists believe that spirit can be found in every person or thing, living or non-living. For the Taoist, even a mountain or a stone contains spirit. Lao Tsu, a Taoist writer and philosopher, said, 'People follow earth. Earth follows heaven. Heaven follows the Tao. The Tao follows what is natural’. For thousands of years in China and other Asian countries, gardens have been an important way to create a place where people can feel the spirit of the natural world. Creating a Taoist Garden is an art. No two Taoist gardens are exactly alike, but all Taoist gardens include four essential elements: Water, mountains, buildings and bridges.

The Funnel Method

Defining a word or phrase

Turn about

Using an anecdote

Using Quotations

Writing a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the sentence that tells the main idea of the essay. It can be compared to a topic sentence, which gives the main idea of a paragraph. It is the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.

The thesis statement can express an opinion:

Travel is an effective way to bring people of different cultures together and learn about one another.

It can also state an argument or fact to be defended or explained:

There are several ways that technology has made classroom instruction more effective.

It comes at the very end of the introductory paragraph.

The thesis statement must be given in a single sentence, not two separate sentences.

X Learning how to write an opinion paragraph is important. There are several reasons for it.

√ Learning how to write an opinion paragraph is important, and there are several reasons for it.

In these introductory paragraphs, underline the thesis statement.

The British eat many different kinds of food, but the typical diet of many people includes eating a lot of fast food and ready-made dishes. The popularity of hamburger and pizza restaurants has increased greatly over the years. As a result of this diet, many British people have food-related health problems. To create a healthier society, people should learn about eating a good diet and should teach their children to do the same.

In these introductory paragraphs, underline the thesis statement.

Everybody knows the koala, that cute Australian animal that resembles a teddy bear. Although koalas look like toys, they are actually strong climbers and spend their days in the treetops. Mother koalas carry their babies around from tree to tree in a pouch, or pocket, on their stomach. Although there were millions of koalas in Australia in the past, they are now a protected species of animal. As a result of human population growth, deforestation, and hunting, the number of koalas has declined.

Writing a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement gives the author’s opinion or states an important idea about the topic. It should give an idea that can be discussed and explained with supporting ideas:

The qualifications for entering a university in my country are unreasonable.

When studying a second language, there are several ways to improve your use of the language.

😊These are strong thesis statements. They can be discussed or explained.

Writing a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement must not be a sentence that only gives a fact about a topic.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer months are warmer than the winter months.

☹ This is not a strong thesis statement. It cannot be discussed or argued about.

· A thesis statement should not state two sides of an opinion equally:

Using nuclear power is both advantageous and disadvantageous at the same time.

☹ This is not a strong thesis statement. It gives two sides of an opinion without giving clear opinion of support or disagreement. It could be revised like this:

Writing a Thesis Statement

Although there are some advantages, using nuclear power has many disadvantages and should not be a part of our country’s energy plan. (Focus: disadvantages of using nuclear power)

😊This is a strong thesis statement. It clearly gives the writer’s opinion about nuclear power.

Multiple Choice