WARM-UP
Draft a tentative/practice thesis that completes ONE of
the following sentences:
1. “Thanksgiving is a bogus holiday because…”
2. “Thanksgiving is an important holiday to celebrate
because…”
TODAY YOU SHOULD…
…draft effective introductions and conclusions.
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Warm-Up
Right Hook: Strategies and Purposes
Closing Bell: Strategies and Purposes
HW Heads-Up
QUICK-WRITE
On your own paper, list 2-3 EACH of the best AND worst openings or
introductions you have seen in books, stories, poems, movies,
speeches, songs, music videos, etc. Briefly explain what makes
each opening so effective or ineffective.
Effective Openings
• “Lost”: how did this happen and
how will they survive?
Not-So-Effective Openings
• “Manners to Be Observed…”: dry
and demanding
RIGHT HOOK: STRATEGIES AND PURPOSES
Effective Openings
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Lead smoothly to thesis
Hook the reader’s attention with
Specific details/ideas that
Make the reader curious about
what will happen
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Not-So-Effective Openings
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Don’t really connect to the thesis
Use generalizations and flat facts
Seem generic
Telegraph their points/punches
Shocking or paradoxical stance/statement
Surprising statistic/fact and interpretation
Vivid example, description, or image
Thought-provoking question or scenario
Historical context
Important or misunderstood definition/analogy
YOU TRY IT!
1. What strategy would best lead into your practice thesis (about
Thanksgiving)? Draft an introductory paragraph for an essay that would
explore this topic.
1. What strategy would best lead into your thesis for Essay #4? Draft an
introductory paragraph that:
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Hooks the reader’s attention with specific, original ideas or
details
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Logically and quickly leads to your thesis
QUICK-WRITE
On your own paper, list 2-3 EACH of the best AND worst endings or
conclusions you have seen in books, stories, poems, movies,
speeches, songs, music videos, etc. Briefly explain what makes
each closing so effective or ineffective.
Effective Closings
• “Lost”: returns to opening image;
like cycle of life
Not-So-Effective Closings
• “The Boys of My Youth”: narrator
makes no progress; invalidates all
we’ve read
CLOSING BELL: STRATEGIES AND PURPOSES
Effective Conclusions
• Show why this argument matters
• Show how all the points or ideas
come together
• Leave the reader with food for
thought
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Not-So-Effective Conclusions
• Merely repeat ideas or facts
• List points without showing
relationships
• Leave the reader abruptly and
anxiously
Circle/loop (reference and extend the opening)
Implications (what can we learn?)
Suggestion or solution
Thought-provoking question or scenario
Historical connection (quote, event, example, etc.)
New definition of a term or concept
Limitations and response (emphasize thesis)
YOU TRY IT!
1. What strategy would best end your practice essay (about Thanksgiving)?
Draft a closing paragraph that
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connects your points to each other
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connects your thesis to the world or reader
2. What strategy would best conclude your argument for Essay #4? Draft a
closing paragraph for your essay. Make sure this paragraph gives your
argument a sense of closure, but does not pretend to have definitive
answers to the problem/idea.
FOR NEXT CLASS…
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Don’t forget! Submit Essay #4 on TRACS by 11:59 pm tomorrow, November
6th. If you need an extension, ask me TONIGHT!
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Read a LOT over the weekend:
• “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” (527-38 RW*),
• “Nobel Lecture” (539-45 RW),
• “The World of Doublespeak” (TR).
• Preview “A Red, Red Rose” and “Her Lips Are Copper Wire” if you can
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Think about what language means to you and when/if language can be
harmful. We will discuss on Monday.
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New schedule of readings and assignments out on Monday.
*A longer reading. I suggest you start this one FIRST or break it up over a few days.