AVTC4 - LESSON 7

Unit 8:

INTRODUCTORY AND CONCLUDING PARAGRAPHS

Lesson's objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Review the structure of introductory paragraphs and concluding paragraphs

• Write introductory and concluding paragraphs for the given writing prompts using useful language

• Review and edit their classmates’ paragraphs

AN ESSAY STRUCTURE

Revision:
What do you know about academic essay structure?

A. Are the following statements

true or false?

Multiple Choice

1. Essays and paragraphs have a very different structure.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

2. Essays must have a logical and cohesive structure.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

3. Topic sentences introduce the main idea of an essay.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

4. Concluding sentences are not always required.

• TRUE

• FALSE

B. Match each term below to its correct definition.

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Select answer

is the first paragraph in an essay. It introduces the topic and indicates the focus of the essay.

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the first part of the introduction that introduces the topic and gives some general information about it.

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the most important sentence in an essay that comes at the end of the introduction. It expresses the main idea or purpose of the whole essay.

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these make up the main section of an essay where all the key ideas and supporting details are discussed.

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is usually the first sentence of a paragraph and expresses its main idea or central focus.

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these are found in the body paragraphs. They come after the topic sentence and provide support for its main idea.

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usually follow supporting ideas and develop them through such things as explanations, examples, or definitions.

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this comes at the end of a body paragraph to restate the main idea.

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this is the last paragraph of an essay. It reminds the reader of the thesis statement and summarises the key points discussed in the body paragraphs.

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words or phrases that link important ideas within a paragraph or between paragraphs.

C. Read the essay and label each item 1-10 below with the corresponding part of the

essay from Exercise B.

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The introductory paragraph (the introduction) is the first paragraph of an essay. It explains the topic and the writer's purpose.

In IELTS essays, the introductory paragraph often includes:
1. background information (or a general statement);

2. a thesis statement.

2.1.1. Background information:
- is information on the topic
- sets up the reader for the thesis statement
* Types of background information:
- a general explanation of the topic
- historical information on the topic
- relevant data and statistics
- a paraphrase of the question prompt/ topic

2.1.2. The thesis statement: tells the reader what ideas will be developed in the body essay. It

often includes:

- a topic

- controlling idea, i.e. point of view that outlines what will be discussed in the body essay.

Drag and Drop

Match the following

There is a growing concern about children obesity rate. -

Placeholder

This essay will examine the causes of this problem. -

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Background information

Thesis statement

Drag and Drop

Match the following

There is a growing concern about games online. -

Placeholder

This essay will discuss the advantages that young children can have from playing these games -

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Background information

Thesis statement

Some sample structures of an introductory paragraph

Open Ended

The government should support local businesses.

PARAPHRASES

Different words - Same meaning

Open Ended

Organized tour to remote areas and community is increasingly popular.

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

1. Homework plays an important role in the education of children.

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

1. Homework plays an important role in the education of children.

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

1. Homework plays an important role in the education of children.

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

2. Many students nowadays choose to study English as a second language because they think that English is a tool which helps them get a good job in the future.

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

2. Many students nowadays choose to study English as a second language because they think that English is a tool which helps them get a good job in the future.

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

2. Many students nowadays choose to study English as a second language because they think that English is a tool which helps them get a good job in the future.

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

3. Students leave high school without learning how to manage their money

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

3. Students leave high school without learning how to manage their money

Word Cloud

Find the synonyms for

3. Students leave high school without learning how to manage their money

The concluding paragraph (the conclusion) is the final paragraph. It reminds the reader of

what the writer has discussed in the essay and provides a writer's final thought.

It often includes:
1. a restatement of the thesis;

2. an insight, an opinion, a recommendation, a prediction, or a call to action.

2.2. Structure of a concluding paragraph

2.1.1. A restatement of the thesis statement:

The first sentence of the concluding paragraph restates the thesis statement by using synonyms and changing sentence structures. It often begins with a transitional phrase such as
In conclusion, To conclude, To summarize, In short, To sum up.

Example:

- In conclusion, biking instead of driving has many benefits.

- To sum up, leading a healthy lifestyle can improve our physical and mental health.

2.2. Structure of a concluding paragraph

2.1.2. Give a final statement:

The final statement is often:

- an insight or opinion: I have more respect for people who choose bicycles because it shows that they care about the environment.

- a prediction: If everyone bikes or takes public transportation three days a week, most communities would be cleaner and healthier places to live.

- a recommendation: Instead of spending money on new roads and buildings, communities should create more parks and green spaces.

- a call to action: The city officials should pass laws imposing more tax on private transport.

=> The concluding paragraph, or conclusion, restates the topic and controlling ideas, summarizes the main points discussed in the body, and/or presents a writer's final statement.

* Never include any new idea in the conclusion.

Reorder

Reorder the following

• In conclusion,

• shopping online would definitely

  benefit people,

• but there are also some

  drawbacks

• that should be taken into

  consideration.

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Reorder

Reorder the following

• To summarize,

• several factors lead to obesity

  among children in Western nations

• and the
  negative influences of this trend

• should be

  taken into consideration

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Multiple Choice

Task 3: Read the question and the introductory and concluding paragraphs. Choose the
best introductory paragraph for the provided question.

Some people argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. What are some positive effects of doing homework for children?

• A. It is widely believed that students should
  do exercises after school because these are an essential part of their study.

• B. It is widely believed that students should

  do exercises after school because these are an essential part of their study. This essay will discuss the advantages of doing homework for young students.

• C. It is widely believed that students should
  do exercises after school because these are
  an essential part of their lives, and they can affect their future. This essay will discuss the

  advantages of doing homework for young

  students.

Multiple Choice

Task 3: Read the question and the introductory and concluding paragraphs. Choose the
best concluding paragraph for the provided question.

Some people argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. What are some positive effects of doing homework for children?

• A. To summarize, doing homework would definitely benefit young students. However, there are also some drawbacks that should be taken into consideration

• B. In conclusion, some people argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children and I agree with this.

• C. In conclusion, doing homework would

  definitely benefit young students. Therefore, they should be encouraged to maintain this practice on a daily basis.