Great Introductions
Do Not:

Introduce yourself as the author

Say “My paper” or “This paper”

Begin with “I am going to write to
you about.…” Professional writers DO
NOT do this!
Do:
 Hook your reader with an interesting statement
that will make him or her want to keep reading.
 State your thesis so readers will know what the
paper will be about.
 Add just a few details about the topic that will
keep things rolling without giving too much away.
 Use transitions to help the writing flow (within
the introduction AND throughout the paper!)
 Use vivid sensory language to challenge, mystify
or surprise the reader.
What are some
ways to begin your
paper?
Within your group:
1. Read the Intro
2. Discuss what you like/don’t
like about it
3. Talk about possible
struggles you will have in
using this intro
4. Talk about why this will be
a GREAT introduction for your
essay.
Open with facts.
Asthma, a condition that affects the lungs, is a
disease that many people, the majority of whom
are children, suffer from. Asthma is most
commonly thought to be hereditary. This disease
can be fatal if it is not taken care of immediately;
however, with medical technology today, mild
asthma is more of a nuisance than a lifethreatening disease.
Begin with a question.
Have you ever wanted to make a
birthday cake for a loved one? Well, it is
easy to make a simple birthday cake. All
you'll need is a little time, love, and a few
items from the grocery store.
Start with an anecdote or story.
It was the first day of kindergarten and I was a
nervous wreck! Kindergarten was heaven now
that I look back on it. We got to take naps in
class, go out to recess, and we didn't have to
write biographies. My first school was called
Central Elementary School. My teacher’s name
was Mrs. Meinke and she was one of the nicest
teachers I've ever met.
Hint at your thesis.
People of the world all have different
personalities, but some are similar in nature. Not
only do your actions reveal a lot about you, but
your friends reveal just as much. I know that
different aspects of my personality are more
dominant with certain people. Two of my best
friends, Amanda and Tim, are very different
from each other, although both have sparkling
personalities.
Startle the reader with a shocking statement.
1,500 people on the Titanic died, but two dogs on
board survived.
Monkeys yawn when they are angry.
Aliens are living among us.
Begin with an interesting quote.
“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game,” Michael
Jordan once said in reference to basketball, but
the same could be applied to life.
“I strongly feel there are three key societal
members who can make a difference. They are
the father, the mother and the teacher.” In saying
this, Abdul Kalam seems to suggest that teachers
are as important to the development of a child as
his or her parents.
Five-minute challenge:
1. Choose one to three ways from these
examples to introduce your expository essay.
2. Write one to three sentences that would be a
good opener for your expository essay.
3. Be ready to share one of them with the class.
Awesome Endings
Do Not:
 Bring up new ideas
 Simply restate your controlling idea
(thesis)
 Begin with “In conclusion,” or “As the
essay shows”
 Include evidence, facts or other things
that should be in the body of the essay
Do:
 Rephrase the controlling idea (thesis), but with a
fresher and deeper understanding
 “Wrap up” the essay by summarizing the main points
 End on a positive note
 Make the reader happy they read your paper
Good Conclusions may also:
 Refer back to the opening line, the one that “hooked”
the reader
 Feature a witty moral that sums up the meaning of
the essay
Creating an awesome ending:
Topic Sentence
Fresh rephrasing of controlling idea
Supporting sentences
summarize the main points
Closing sentence
Final words that tie back to the intro
Intro:
In 1866, one of America’s most memorable
citizens was born. Her name was Annie Sullivan.
Annie Sullivan did not have a very good
childhood. She grew up in a home for the blind
because her eyesight was damaged by a
childhood illness.
Conclusion:
Annie Sullivan was an extraordinary woman.
She had a harsh childhood but did not pity
herself. Instead, she made the most of herself
and never gave up on something she wanted to
accomplish. Annie Sullivan is a great role model
for anyone!
Intro:
Most people find it difficult to tell the
difference between a frog and a toad. They
normally mix them up. Although they seem so
similar in appearance, frogs and toads certainly
have numerous dissimilarities as well.
Conclusion:
Frogs and toads do seem similar, but they have
several different qualities regarding shape, size,
color, and texture. So it makes sense that many
people would mistake one for the other.
However, as all TCU fans would probably agree,
it’s important to know the difference!
Intro:
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that I struggled with for
much of my high school years. My classmates at Riverview High
School knew about my disorder, and it affected the way they treated
me. After I transferred to Madison High School as a junior, I decided
not to tell anyone at that school about my eating disorder because by
then I was recovered. Even though my friends at Riverview and
Madison all showed concern for me, their approaches differed greatly,
especially in lunchroom behavior, conversation, and opinions about
my personality and character.
Conclusion:
My days as an anorexic taught me about life and how to be a better
friend. I learned to appreciate the simple things in life like hanging out
with friends and what true character is. To those who tried to help me,
I owe a great debt; I appreciate the people who helped me to see that
there is more to life than having an eating disorder.
Compare/Contrast Essay