Part VII: The Introduction &
Conclusion
The Introduction
• 3 parts:
1. An interesting opening to catch the
reader’s attention.
2. Any relevant background information.
3. Your thesis statement—always LAST
in your intro.
What Qualifies as an Interesting
Opening/Attention-Getter?
•
•
Astonishing Statement: An astonisher
lead springs an unexpected image or fact
onto the readers to shock them and grab
their interest.
Example: It is sad to think that any one
person may be dead tomorrow. That is
the consensus of the American Lung
Association, who yesterday launched a
new public awareness campaign to stop
smoking.
What Qualifies as an Interesting
Opening/Attention-Getter?
•
•
Background Lead: A background lead
consists of a sentence or sentences
describing an event in which the
background overshadows the individuals
who participate in it.
Example: Cackling witches, screaming
apparitions, and violent drumbeats were
just a few of the spine-tingling sounds
echoing through the halls November 15
when drama students staged a production
of Macbeth.
What Qualifies as an Interesting
Opening/Attention-Getter?
•
•
Contrast Lead: A contrast lead should be
sharp and vivid to be most effective. It is
used to point out opposites or extremes.
Example: Despite the fact that cartoons,
movies, and comics portray the beginning
of school as the return to a type of
prison life, there is ample proof that
many students return to their books with
a thankful “it’s great to be back.”
What Qualifies as an Interesting
Opening/Attention-Getter?
•
•
Quotation Lead: A direct quotation
lead consists of a person’s actual
words. The quote should be truly
memorable.
Example: “You must be the change
you wish to see in the world.” Those
were the wise words of Gandhi, a
man who truly led by example.
What Qualifies as an Interesting
Opening/Attention-Getter?
•
•
Suspended Interest Lead: A suspended
interest lead draws the reader in by
holding back the main point of the essay
for a few sentences. It often uses short,
quick phrases to build images quickly.
Example: Dhalism. Ryu. Feilong. Sagat.
Balrog. To some people, this may seem
like a foreign language, but to video game
buffs, this is common English.
Need More?
•
*These examples were taken from
the document listed below. Check it
out for other suggestions and
examples:
http://www.rjfisher.lgusd.k12.ca.us/
Staff/kwelch/documents/Attention
Getters.pdf
Intro Example
•
“When I walk into her apartment, Amanda Baggs makes no eye
contact. She doesn’t come to the door…I say hello and
introduce myself, but she remains silent, sitting at her desk,
rocking slightly back and forth” (CNN Health). This small
snapshot illustrates how many people with autism function in
their day-to-day routines with others. Amanda is not alone in
her world—in fact, the Autism Society of America estimates
that 600,000 adults are living with autism, and that one in every
150 children has autism (Green 88). It is a disorder that has
come to be characterized by social isolation, communication
difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and even some physical and
medical issues. However, more research must be done in order
to definitively establish the causes and improve treatment
options. Thus, funds should be donated to the organization
Autism Speaks in order to discover the causes, recognize the
symptoms, and continue treatments for patients with autism.
After Your Intro
• At this point, it would make sense to
include background information about
your organization in your next
paragraph. Tell us when it was
established, its history, etc. THEN
begin proving the first point in your
thesis statement.
The Conclusion
• 3 parts:
1. A re-statement, not a re-copying, of
your thesis. This time it should be
FIRST.
2. Summarize a few other parts of
your paper.
3. End with a strong, profound
statement.
How Do I Re-State My Thesis?
• Split it into two or three sentences:
Funds should be donated to the organization
Autism Speaks. It is imperative that researchers
discover the causes, recognize the symptoms, and
continue treatments for patients with autism.
Use completely different phrasing and grammatical
structure:
Millions of people around the world are living with
autism; why not make their lives easier by donating
to Autism Speaks? With proper funding, the
organization may be able to discover the causes,
and develop innovative treatments for patients
with autism.
Conclusion Example
• Funds should be donated to the organization Autism
Speaks. It is imperative that researchers discover
the causes, recognize the symptoms, and continue
treatments for patients with autism. Without this
funding, public perception of the true causes of the
disorder will continue to be distorted. Furthermore,
symptoms may continue to be grossly overdiagnosed, and treatment options will not improve.
The patients deserve to have the opportunities that
the mainstream population so often takes for
granted. In the words of Amanda Baggs herself,
“there is no limit to what I can do. I just need a
little help” (CNN Health).
Tonight’s Homework:
• Write your introduction and
conclusion paragraphs. These are to
be typed in MLA style (doublespaced, Times New Roman 12)
• This is a very important assignment—
you will have 2 nights to complete it.
Point value = 20 Points