HOW TO WRITE AN
INTRODUCTION
JUNIORS
11H
Ms. Livingston
English
Grade Level 11
Time Required: 43
Unit: Research Project
December 4, 2014
Standards to be addressed:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and
convey complex ideas, concepts, and information
clearly and accurately through the effective selection,
organization, and analysis of content.
SWBAT learn how to write an intro for
their research paper
•
•
•
•
DO NOW:
HOMEWORK Due Monday
READ CHAPTERS 9-12 in CITR
Annotated Bibliography (Change from
Fri)
• Outline
• Introduction Paragraph
WHAT IS AN INTRODUCTION?
PURPOSE
Direct Instruction
Your introduction provides context to your readers to prepare them for your
paper's argument or purpose. An introduction should begin with discussion
of your specific topic (not a broad background overview) and provide just
enough context (definitions of key terms, for example) to prepare your
readers for your thesis or purpose statement.
Sample Introduction/Context: If the topic of your paper is the link between
educational attainment and health, your introduction might do the following:
(a) establish the population you are discussing
(b) define key terms such as healthy and well-educated
(c) justify the discussion of this topic by pointing out a connection to a current
problem that your paper will help address.
- See more at:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/318.htm#sthash.YZ1cCPmu.qfqf7pYv.dpuf
LOOKING AT SAMPLE
Direct Instruction
I. Introduction
A. Current Problem (or state of affairs – the status
quo): Educational attainment rates are decreasing in the
United States while healthcare costs are increasing.
B. Population/Area of Focus: Unskilled or lowskilled adult workers
C. Key Terms: healthy, well-educated
Thesis Statement: Because of their income deficit
(cite sources) and general susceptibility to depression
(cite sources), students who drop out of high school
before graduation maintain a higher risk for physical and
mental health problems later in life.
LOOKING AT SAMPLE
Direct Instruction
HOW DO I “HOOK” THE READER?
Have a sentence that grabs the reader’s
attention. This could include
• quote that relates to your topic
• an appropriate anecdote
• a startling statistic.
Your hook is supposed to hook the audience, so
consider your audience!
CREATING YOUR OWN INTRO
Student Practice
• USE THE TEMPLATE
PROVIDED TO SKETCH
OUT SOME IDEAS.
• BEGIN DRAFTING – YOU
CAN USE THE TEMPLATE
OR START DRAFTING IN
A WORD DOCUMENT
• INTRO IS DUE ON
MONDAY!!!
SIT IN LIKE-MINDED GROUPS
• This will help you
create similar
outlines
– Civil Disobedience
– Mercury
Poisoning/Dolphin
Slaughter
– Animal Psychology
– Endangered Animals
(Add to the list)
CLOSE
• Does anyone want
to share out their
intro?
• What questions do
you still have?
• What is due on
Monday?
Formative Assessment
• Student work will be used to assess student
comprehension of direct instruction.
• Exit question will be used to assess synthesis
of class work.
• Students sit in interest-related groupings.
Adaptations
• Student selection of topic for paper
• Visual interpretations of text assists student
comprehension
• Template for supported writing
Extensions
• Students can work at their own pace to
complete work
• Students can perform a discussion about L3
questions with Appointment partners
Technology
• Projection of PPT on Whiteboard
• Remind.com
• Calendar of assignments on staff webpage
Materials
Handouts
PPT