Introductions and Conclusions

What do you think makes a good introduction?

Imagine having to read 160 Research Papers……

…Not if you write with pizzazz!

Introductions must have 2 things

1. What your paper is going to be about2. Why I should keep reading

Thesis Statement

First sentence draws your reader in

• Ask a question• Give a statistic• Tell a brief story• Give a quote• Unusual/interesting information• Define a term• Anything else you can think of?

What’s next?

• After you hook your reader, give background information: What is your paper going to be about? Why should I keep reading?

• Introduce your person, what they are famous for, and their contributions to society

• Conclude with thesis statement

• Be creative! Make me want to read more.

Examples

• Draw a or for each introduction and be able to explain why

In this paper, I am going to write about J.K. Rowling. J.K. Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter books. She made millions from her books, therefore she should win the Nobel Prize.

“It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities,” says Albus Dumbledore, one of J.K. Rowling’s main characters in her Harry Potter series. Here, Albus encourages the young Harry to follow his heart; one of the many messages that J.K. Rowling has taught millions of young readers across the world. Through her books, Rowling has inspired people of all ages that good always overcomes evil, and that there is no end to our imagination. J.K. Rowling deserves to win the Nobel Prize because of the magic that is brought alive through her Harry Potter series.

What is worse than a bad introduction?

A bad conclusion!

• The conclusion is that last thing that your reader will see

• It is what sticks with them the most• If you have an awesome paper, but a terrible

ending – that is what I will remember!

• Misconception that in your paper, you have already said all you can about your topic

• A conclusion is not just to take up extra space

• What do you think makes a good conclusion?

A Conclusion should..

• Stress the importance of your thesis– Re-read your introduction. Your paper should

bring the reader full circle• Give your paper a sense of completeness• Summarize important parts of your paper• Leave a final impression on your reader

• So how do I do this???

Ways to leave your reader in awe

• Tell your reader to take action• Evoke emotion• Recite a quote• Ask a question• Give a moral• What else can you think of?

Examples

• Draw a or for each conclusion and be able to explain why

Through her characters, J.K. Rowling has taught millions of readers many important life lessons. Overcoming the odds, finding true friendship, and conquering one’s fears, are echoed in her books, and brought alive in today’s young readers. Many adolescents can see themselves in her characters, and are now able to take on challenging new tasks, because they believe in the power of hard work, determination, and support from close friends. Unlike many other authors, J.K. Rowling has been able to bring magic alive, and therefore, she is most honorable to win the Nobel Prize.

So that was my paper on J.K. Rowling. She wrote a few great stories on a young boy named Harry Potter. I think she should win the Nobel Prize because she is a good author.

Exit Slip

• Write your own Conclusion! …. For this class period/lesson.

• Bring it back to the main point and give supporting details: Why are introductions and conclusions important in my paper, and how do I write them effectively?

• 3+ sentences