WritingIntroductions

andConclusions

Which Modes?Which Modes?

Only DESCRIPTIVEDESCRIPTIVE

andEXPOSITORYEXPOSITORY papers have introductions

and/or conclusions!

Why Why Introductions?Introductions?Your introduction is

the reader’sFIRST IMPRESSIONFIRST IMPRESSION

of your work.It should make him/her want to read the rest

of your paper.

Why Conclusions?Why Conclusions?Your conclusion is

the reader’sLAST IMPRESSIONLAST IMPRESSION

of your work.It should make him/her

remember your paper and set you apart from the other thousandsthousands of

papers.

Where?Where?

Your introduction is yourFIRSTFIRST

paragraph,and

your conclusion is yourLASTLAST

paragraph!

How Long?How Long?

Introductionsand

conclusionsshould have

3 3 or 4 4sentences each!

Introductions:Introductions: How How ToTo

Introductions should have 2 parts: a HOOKHOOK and a TOPIC SENTENCETOPIC SENTENCE. Start with a 2-3 sentence HOOKHOOK to

“grab” the reader’s attention. Great hooks include (SHUDS): -Statistics -HISMOP (hyperbole, idiom, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification) -Unusual Facts -Dialogue -Scenarios

Introductions:Introductions: How How ToTo

Finish with a TOPIC SENTENCETOPIC SENTENCE to tell the reader what topic you’ve chosen to write about and how you feel about it.

I simply despise my nasty room. OR My room is the most disgusting place on the planet.

Sometimes your topic sentence may be included in one of your hooks, which is OK!

BoringBoring HooksHooksSample Prompts:

Describe your room.OR

Explain reasons you like/dislike your room.

Do you like your room? OR What do you like about your room? OR Do you know why I hate my room?

StatisticStatistic HookHook People magazine conducted a survey

last summer of parents across the country. The survey results revealed that 92% of parents are unhappy with state of their children’s rooms. I’m afraid that my my parents would agree with that statistic, because my room is disgusting!

NOTE: When using a STATISTICS hook, be sure to tell WHO did the research. You can also tell WHEN the research was conducted!

HISMOPHISMOP HookHook My room is a garbage dump! I’ll

need to call in a hazardous materials team to help me clean it. It is pure gross!

OR Shhh...Did you hear that squeaking?

I don’t know if it’s the family of rats that have moved into my closet or the shelf brackets whining under the weight of the junk atop them, but whatever it is, it can’t be good. Simply stated, my room is nasty!

Unusual FactUnusual Fact HookHook

The last attempt to clean my room took twelve hours. The things I uncovered during that task could make a goat’s stomach turn. My room is absolutely filthy again!

DialogueDialogue HookHook

“My, heavens, Jamie,” Mom screamed last night, “clean up this pig sty!” Mom and I don’t see eye to eye on this issue. To her my room is a pig sty, but to me it’s paradise.

NOTE: When using a DIALOGUE hook, be sure to PUNCTUATE it correctly with commas and quotation marks, and don’t forget to add a TAG!

ScenarioScenario HookHook

Poor old Mom waltzed into my room yesterday to collect my laundry, and she’s still trying to find her way out of the maze of clothes, games, and books littering the floor. I think I’ll send a search team after her if she doesn’t surface sometime today. That room is a mess!

Some Final Some Final HOOK HOOK Tips…Tips…

It’s OK to combine different types of hooks in your introduction. Try to add some humor in your hooks;

it’s a great way to “grab” the reader! Some hooks are more appropriate for

certain modes and completely inappropriate for other modes. Can you decide which hook would work best with each mode?

Conclusions: T ?Conclusions: T ? Restate your TOPIC SENTENCETOPIC SENTENCE and

how you feel about your topic (don’t use the word-for-word topic sentence you used to finish your introduction). Remind readers of your SUPPORTING SUPPORTING

DETAILSDETAILS (triangles) in one sentence

(don’t forget to separate each detail with a comma). Ask a thoughtful QUESTIONQUESTION.

Sample ConclusionSample Conclusion

As you can see, my room is beyond nasty. There are mountains of clothes on the floor, colonies of dust bunnies under the furniture, and petrified food in every crevice. Do you think it’s time to clean it up?

POP QUIZPOP QUIZ Read each prompt and

introduction.

Tell what type(s) of hook was/were used.

Underline the topic sentence (remember, some topic sentences may be included in the hook).

POP QUIZPOP QUIZPROMPT: Describe your favorite school lunch.INTRODUCTION: As I walked into the cafeteria this afternoon, my mouth immediately began to water. I knew at once that the hard-working cafeteria staff had prepared my favorite entrée. Their fried chicken is divine!

POP QUIZPOP QUIZPROMPT: Explain reasons people should not litter.INTRODUCTION: Scientists report that roadside litter poses many health and safety risks. These risks effect not only people but wildlife as well. Please do your part to minimize the risks: don’t litter!

POP QUIZPOP QUIZPROMPT: Describe a picnic lunch.INTRODUCTION: “Hey, let’s have a picnic lunch

at the park!” Dad chirped at the breakfast table. We all agreed that it was a great idea and couldn’t wait. No one can put a picnic

lunch together like dear old Mom.

POP QUIZPOP QUIZPROMPT: Explain reasons people should exercise every day.INTRODUCTION: A 2005 study by Harvard Medical

School found that 8 out of every 10 Americans do not get daily exercise. The study called the U. S. an unfit nation. It’s time to take a stand! Put

down the remote, get off the couch, and get some exercise.