Language Network Developing Compositions Developing Compositions Structure of

Language Network Developing Compositions

Developing Compositions Structure of a Composition From Paragraphs to Compositions Parts of a Composition

From Paragraphs to Compositions Composition A composition is a group of paragraphs dealing with one main idea.

From Paragraphs to Compositions A good composition has the same characteristics as a well-written paragraph: a main idea a variety of details that develop and support the main idea a logical flow from each part to the next

Parts of a Composition A composition has three main sections: the introduction the body the conclusion body conclusion

Parts of a Composition The introduction presents the main idea, grabs the reader’s attention, and sets the tone. introduction

Parts of a Composition Each of the paragraphs in the body develops a different aspect of the main idea or thesis statement. body

Parts of a Composition The conclusion sums up the ideas presented in the composition. conclusion

Developing Compositions Thesis and Introduction Crafting a Thesis Statement Writing an Introduction

Crafting a Thesis Statement A thesis statement states the main idea of a composition. A thesis statement is usually a single sentence, but it may be two or more sentences. It is almost always located in the introduction.

Crafting a Thesis Statement A successful thesis statement should tell the subject of your composition show your point of view on the subject be a statement that can be supported

Crafting a Thesis Statement A thesis statement should not be stated as an announcement. “In this paper I will show that. . ”

Crafting a Thesis Statement Here’s How Crafting a Thesis Statement • Study your research notes on your subject. • Decide what interests you most and use that as your angle of approach to the subject. • Write one or more sentences that introduce your subject and express your approach to it.

Writing an Introduction The first paragraph of a composition is the introduction. This section presents thesis statement and sets the tone for the composition.

Writing an Introduction The introductory paragraph should grab the reader’s attention and make him or her want to continue reading. Here are some techniques that will help you capture your audience’s attention. Open with a lively description. Begin with a startling effect. Use a quotation.

Writing an Introduction OPEN WITH A LIVELY DESCRIPTION PROFESSIONAL MODEL On a cloudy August afternoon, the cry goes up for a fishing party. We dig for worms, rustle through the barn for a net, check the hooks and leaders, grab a few poles, and soon we’re off in the old red pickup, headed down to the trout stream through a narrow backroad that is closed in the winter. —Christopher Kimball, “A Fisher of Children”

Writing an Introduction PROFESSIONAL MODEL BEGIN WITH A STARTLING EFFECT Every year in the Danish town of Silkeborg, thousands of visitors file past the face of a murder victim. No one will ever know his name. It is enough to know that 2, 000 years ago he was as human as ourselves. —Maurice Shadbolt, “Who Killed the Bog Men of Denmark? And Why? ”

Writing an Introduction PROFESSIONAL MODEL USE A QUOTATION “A flute, ” wrote an early nineteenth-century British critic, “is a musical weed which springs up everywhere. ” —Nancy Toff, The Flute Book

Developing Compositions Body of a Composition Writing the Body Paragraphing

Writing the Body The paragraphs that develop thesis statement make up the body of a composition. The body can range in length from several paragraphs to many pages.

Writing the Body In the body of a composition, you carry out the main purpose of the composition. Your purpose might be to explain a process to support an opinion to develop a definition to present an argument to present research to analyze a situation

Writing the Body What should body paragraphs do? focus on a single idea support thesis reflect a logical pattern of organization

Paragraphing, or separating the body of your composition into paragraphs, makes your writing easier for readers to follow and helps you develop each idea clearly.

Paragraphing Start a new paragraph when you come to the end of your introduction a new idea or set of facts a change of emphasis a change of time or setting the conclusion of your composition a change of speaker in dialogue

Developing Compositions Conclusion Writing a Conclusion Techniques for Wrapping Up

Writing a Conclusion In the conclusion of a composition— usually the final paragraph—you sum up the ideas you have developed and leave the reader with a firm understanding of your position on the subject.

Writing a Conclusion A successful conclusion should wrap up the ideas you have developed follow logically from the rest of your composition leave the reader with something to think about

Writing a Conclusion A conclusion should not introduce new ideas or simply repeat the introduction.

Techniques for Wrapping Up Although all good conclusions “wrap things up, ” they do so in a variety of ways. Here are some techniques you might try. • Review and summarize. • Restate the central idea. • Make a generalization. • Make a prediction. • End with a quotation. • End with a call for action. • End with a question.

Techniques for Wrapping Up PROFESSIONAL MODEL END WITH A QUESTION Reading about extreme biking is a great deal easier than living through it. You might wonder what motivated these riders to take the risks they did. Was it excitement? curiosity? pride? a complicated mixture of several motives? What would it take to get you out on that biking trail?

Techniques for Wrapping Up PROFESSIONAL MODEL MAKE A PREDICTION You’d think that escaping a hungry grizzly bear would be enough adventure for one lifetime, but whatever made these three men bike the Alaska Range probably hasn’t been satisfied yet. People who thrive on facing challenges don’t usually stop once they’ve achieved a goal. They might rest for a while, but eventually the bug will bite them again. Right now, Roman Dial is probably wondering if it’s possible to bike to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.