Introductions & Conclusions
Where to Start?
The
Introduction
Essentially 3 Parts
 1)
Hook
 2)
Elaborate on hook and link to
thesis/larger body of essay
 3) Thesis
statement

Relate a dramatic anecdote.

Expose a commonly held belief.

Present surprising facts and statistics.

Use a fitting quotation.

Ask a provocative question.

Tell a vivid personal story.

Define a key term.

Present an interesting observation.

Create a unique scenario.
Get the
Reader’s
Attention!
The Background Information…
 Provide
a “bridge” from your
introductory statement (called a
“hook”) to your thesis statement.
 Elaborate
on your opening statement
to provide context for the reader
while linking it to the overall ideas
you will be addressing in your essay.
Thesis Statement
Should be one detailed sentence
in length

  Tells
the reader what the entire
essay is going to be about
The
Conclusion
A conclusion should…

 Stress the importance of the thesis
statement (which essentially re-states
the sum of your essay)

 Give the essay a sense of
completeness

 Leave a final impression on the
reader
DO re-state; DO NOT repeat
 Re-state
your thesis statement, but
don’t use the exact same wording.
DO NOT copy and paste your thesis
from your introduction into your
conclusion! Your reader has already
read your paper and doesn’t need a
repeat!
C
O
N
S
I
D
E
R
…

Answer the question, “So what?” and show
your readers why your paper is important.

Synthesize; don’t summarize. Don’t simply
repeat what you’ve already written about.

Redirect your readers. Give your reader
something to think about.

Create a new meaning for your reader by
showing how your ideas work together.

REMEMBER:This is your last chance to make an
impression on your reader! Don’t waste that
opportunity!
Sources Cited…
Getting the Reader’s Attention ideas taken from
http://www.cdtl.nus.edu.sg/success/sl25.htm.
Some Conclusion information taken from
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.htm
l.
Writing Introductions…





-Read your prompt.
-Brainstorm first as a group.
THEN
Write an attention-getter.
Link to the context of the rest of your paper.
Write your thesis statement with three main
points.

Recently there has been debate on whether or not schools should shorten
the week to only four school days but with each day being longer. Think of
whether such a change in the length of the school week will be beneficial
to students’ academic and social progress or if it will hurt their progress
and why. Write to persuade an adult of your opinion.

The principal is considering adding an extra elective class for next year.
This is a class that is not currently offered on the registration form. Think
of an elective you would like your school to add and why.

Many teens today have cell phones; think about whether or not cell
phones should be allowed in school and why.

Three guests can be invited to dinner. The guests can be anyone, living or
dead. Think about whom you would invite and why. Write to explain why
you would invite these three guests.

Your history teacher wants to plan an unforgettable yet
educational, week-long field trip. Think about a field trip
destination that interests you and why. Write to convince
that your desired destination is the best choice.