The Introductory ParagraphThe basic elements of the introductory
paragraph consists of the following elements:The wow or hook
sentencethe purpose of this sentence is to capture the readers
attention. There are six ways to write a hook sentence:Rhetorical
QuestionQuotationAnalogy AnecdoteDescriptionProvocative
assertion
The Introductory Paragraph continuedThe thesis statementthe
purpose of this statement is to tell the reader what they should
expect to learn, understand, or agree with while reading the
essay.The plan of actionis a brief listing of the main points the
essay will cover. This is not the place to include specific details
or facts.Transition sentenceleads the reader into the body of the
essay.
The Body Paragraph (the chunk of a paragraph)The chunk of a
paragraph is a basic paragraph structure that is found in most
essays and articles. This structure consists of four parts.The
topic sentence (TS)is the main idea (or topic) for that particular
paragraph.Ex: The latest craze in telephone technology is the
I-Phone.
The Body Paragraph (the chunk of a paragraph) cont.Supporting
detail 1(SD-1)is one fact that is directly related to the topic
sentence. It provides more detail or description about the topic
sentence.Ex: One of the coolest features of the I-phone is the way
it looks.Example/Explanation 1 (EE-1)is comments, description,
details, and information that adds to SD-1 and provides additional
information about the topic sentence.
The Body Paragraph (the chunk of a paragraph)
cont.Example/Explanation 2 (EE-2)are additional explanations,
comments, descriptions, and information that adds to and provides
additional information about the topic sentence. EE-2 also contains
the transition sentence.Body paragraphs can have unlimited chunks
as long as they are related to the topic sentence.Each body
paragraph repeats the same chunk of a paragraph pattern.
The Transition SentenceThe transition sentence serves the
purpose of connecting the current paragraph to the following
paragraph.It does this by providing a one sentence hint as to the
topic of the next paragraph.Ex: In addition to having a cool look,
the I-phone also has lightning fast Internet features.As the
example topic sentence suggests, the next paragraph is going to
explain the Internet features of the I-phone.
The Transition SentenceA little practice---If the next paragraph
of the I-phone essay is going to reveal its game features, how
would you develop a great transition sentence?
