JUNIOR HONORS

SWBAT Improve and refine their strategies for writing an effective essay introduction.

DO NOW POPCORN: Now that we've discussed thesis writing...

1) Quickly write down everything you've ever heard about how to write an introduction to an essay.

2) Then, write down some of the mistakes people make when writing an introduction.

WEEK AHEAD

WEDNESDAY: Draft of essay will be due and new vocabulary definitions

THURSDAY: Unit 1 Test

November 12th: ESSAY DUE

How to begin...

Is the thesis all you need to begin your paper?

What should an introduction accomplish for your reader?

INTRODUCTION

Your introduction is a BRIDGE that brings your reader FROM his or her life INTO the setting of your topic.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression! You want to be...

1) Concise -

2) Engaging -

How do I start??

Think of your introduction as a funnel... (the prompt usually follows this style also)

Starts wide and open, but gets narrower toward the opening.

But remember! Be concise and engaging. The funnel model isn't an excuse for broad generalizations.

America has often been considered a land of endless opportunity, America has often been considered a land of endless opportunity, where an individual with aspirations, and the motivation to pursue where an individual with aspirations, and the motivation to pursue

them, can succeed despite humble beginnings or personal them, can succeed despite humble beginnings or personal difficulty. difficulty.

This opportunity includes such areas as vocation, education, This opportunity includes such areas as vocation, education, money, and aspects of the immigrant experience. money, and aspects of the immigrant experience.

All of these factors combine to form an ideal referred to as “The All of these factors combine to form an ideal referred to as “The American Dream,” a vision that has drawn many immigrants to U.S. American Dream,” a vision that has drawn many immigrants to U.S. soil, and has inspired the writings of many historians and scholars. soil, and has inspired the writings of many historians and scholars.

Three such men are Mo, Larry, and Curly, whose works display the Three such men are Mo, Larry, and Curly, whose works display the struggles and successes inherent in the journey toward the struggles and successes inherent in the journey toward the

American Dream. American Dream.

An analysis of these works will An analysis of these works will show, however, that America no longer show, however, that America no longer

offers the same opportunity for fulfillment offers the same opportunity for fulfillment as it once did; the American Dream is now as it once did; the American Dream is now

more a dream than a reality.more a dream than a reality.

Tips...

You don't always have to write your introduction first.

Let's refer back to our friends at UNC on how to avoid starting off on the wrong foot... UNC Writing Center - Introductions

EXIT SLIP

Let's do a little soul-searching. What are some common mistakes you make when writing an introduction? Think about the last essay you wrote... What did you do well? What would you like to do better in your American Dream essay?