z Editing z Introductory paragraph Your Introductory paragraph

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z Editing

z Editing

z Introductory paragraph Your Introductory paragraph should: Introduce the topic or theme of your

z Introductory paragraph Your Introductory paragraph should: Introduce the topic or theme of your essay In your essay, give a brief explanation of the plot or setting of Mortal Engines. The Narrow your focus to the task question that you are responding to i. e. Tom’s experiences in the Out-country and how this affects his world view. Include your thesis statement (NOTE: this is usually the last sentence of your intro paragraph) Include the book title and author!

The Introduction Paragraph § The introduction paragraph does just what it is called –

The Introduction Paragraph § The introduction paragraph does just what it is called – it introduces the essay. It is a very important paragraph in the essay because it makes the first impression. The introduction has three goals: § To grab the reader’s attention – Remember that your reader is an academic in the field of literary study, so this person has probably read many, many essays on your piece of literature. How will you attract attention to your argument? § To establish context – It is important that your reader knows the specific author(s) and piece(s) of literature being analysed right from the beginning so that the reader is not confused. It is also important to introduce the “big ideas” of your essay at the beginning that will be narrowed in thesis statement. § To communicate the argument – The reader needs to also know your specific argument (a. k. a. thesis statement) because this focuses the reader’s purpose for reading your essay.

§ § There are three parts to the introduction paragraph that accomplish these goals:

§ § There are three parts to the introduction paragraph that accomplish these goals: § Attention-grabber § Transition § Thesis Statement If we were to graphically represent the shape of the introduction paragraph, it would form an upside-down triangle because the introduction paragraph goes from broad to specific – as follows: Attention – Grabber Transition Thesis

§ The Attention-Grabber pulls the reader into the essay. § The Transition segues between

§ The Attention-Grabber pulls the reader into the essay. § The Transition segues between the attention-grabber and thesis statement. It introduces the broad ideas of the essay. § Thesis Statement presents the focused argument of the essay and narrows the broad ideas of the transition into more specific ideas that will be discussed further in the body paragraphs of the essay.

z Introductory and concluding paragraphs Let’s have a look at the following introductory paragraph:

z Introductory and concluding paragraphs Let’s have a look at the following introductory paragraph: I’m going to talk about ‘Crossing the Swamp’ by Mary Oliver. It’s a poem with a theme about nature but it is also a metaphor for life’s struggles. Mary shows that conquering a struggle in real life can lead to new opportunities. She shows this by using a negative tone and using the swamp as a metaphor for struggles. She also does this by using the dash. This achieves the overall metaphor that she is trying to create, that struggles in life can lead to good things. Other poets use nature as a theme so that they can be metaphors for different things.

Introductory and concluding paragraphs z Poets and authors have frequently used nature imagery as

Introductory and concluding paragraphs z Poets and authors have frequently used nature imagery as a metaphor for humans’ journey through life. Whether it is an ocean that represents eternity, a sun that represents the discovery of truth, or a flower that represents birth and rebirth, nature imagery carries a much deeper level of meaning. In Mary Oliver’s poem “Crossing the Swamp, ” she uses the crossing of the swamp as a metaphor for overcoming an obstacle in life. The swamp causes the speaker of the poem much strife, and the speaker even nearly loses hope altogether, which is very similar to real life through hardships. Through her poem, Oliver shows that conquering a struggle in life leads to new opportunities and chances to grow as shown through the metaphor of the swamp, the speaker’s negative tone, and the use of the dash to emphasise the poem’s theme.

Step one: the attention-grabber § Bad Example: "In this paper I will show you

Step one: the attention-grabber § Bad Example: "In this paper I will show you the meaning of friendship“ § Good Example: “Friendship is a key ingredient to a person’s success in accomplishing goals. ” § Another good example: § When the bodies of the last royal family of Russia were first discovered, Anastasia Romanov's remains were not among them. In (title of book), (author's name) explores the mystery surrounding the death of the Grand Duchess.

Step two: the transition § The transition is the most difficult part of the

Step two: the transition § The transition is the most difficult part of the introduction paragraph to write. It is the filler space between the attention-grabber and thesis statement. So, how do you get from Point A (the attention-grabber) to Point C (the thesis statement)? § Take a look at the following sample introduction paragraphs to see how these students did just that, and then, answer the questions that follow each one. Each introduction paragraph is ratiocinated according to the following key:

§ Poets and authors have frequently used nature imagery as a metaphor for humans’

§ Poets and authors have frequently used nature imagery as a metaphor for humans’ journey through life. Whether it is an ocean that represents eternity, a sun that represents the discovery of truth, or a flower that represents birth and rebirth, nature imagery carries a much deeper level of meaning. In Many Oliver’s poem “Crossing the Swamp, ” she uses the crossing of the swamp as a metaphor for overcoming an obstacle in life. The swamp causes the speaker of the poem much strife, and the speaker even nearly loses hope altogether, which is very similar to real life through hardships. Through her poem, Oliver shows that conquering a struggle in life leads to new opportunities and chances to grow as shown through the metaphor of the swamp, the speaker’s negative tone, and the use of the dash to emphasise the poem’s theme. § 1. How does the student transition from Point A (attention-grabber) to Point C (thesis statement)? § What is the relationship between the three parts of this introduction paragraph?

z Concluding paragraph Your concluding paragraph should: Summarise the main ideas of your body

z Concluding paragraph Your concluding paragraph should: Summarise the main ideas of your body paragraphs Restate your thesis statement (in different words) End with a broad statement. Perhaps state that Tom’s character journey is relatable to readers, which is why the book is popular.

§ The conclusion paragraph is an important paragraph in the essay because it is

§ The conclusion paragraph is an important paragraph in the essay because it is the writer’s last attempt to convince the reader of the argument. A carefully crafted conclusion paragraph reiterates thesis statement by emphasizing the most important content of the entire essay. It is important not to rush through writing the conclusion paragraph. Pay close attention to how you construct and word the final words of the essay because they will most likely be what the reader remembers the most about the essay.

§ The conclusion paragraph acts in a similar manner as the introduction paragraph. It

§ The conclusion paragraph acts in a similar manner as the introduction paragraph. It retells the reader what s/he just read and emphasizes the main topics and narrowed thesis of the essay; however, the parts of the conclusion paragraph are in the opposite order. Rephrased Thesis Summary of Main Points Broad Statement

1. Rephrased Thesis Statement The first step in writing a conclusion paragraph is to

1. Rephrased Thesis Statement The first step in writing a conclusion paragraph is to rephrase thesis statement. In this part of the conclusion paragraph, you should remind your reader what the essay was about. To do this, refer back to your thesis statement in the introduction paragraph and put it into new words. Do not simply copy/paste the exact same sentence into the conclusion paragraph. Say it again in a new way. This will refocus your reader’s attention on your argument.

2. Summary of main points § This step is self-explanatory, but be sure to

2. Summary of main points § This step is self-explanatory, but be sure to keep it brief. There is no need to go into any detail of what you already discussed in the body of the essay. The best way to do this is to summarize the topic sentences of your body paragraphs. § Be careful that you do not introduce any new evidence (quotations) or new ideas in the conclusion. If you find that you have brought up a new point in the conclusion, and you want to keep it, put it in the body of your essay so that it doesn’t appear ‘out of the blue’ in the conclusion. § This section of the conclusion paragraph should be one to two sentences.

3. Broad Statement § Just like the introduction paragraph begins with a broad topic,

3. Broad Statement § Just like the introduction paragraph begins with a broad topic, the conclusion paragraph should end with a broad statement to give your essay universal appeal. § This final sentence should answer the “so what? ” question… So the reader just read your essay. So what? What does it have to do with the novel / poem / article at large? This final part of the conclusion paragraph should address something broad and universal about theme, the characters, the society, mankind, etc. of the novel or poem you have analysed. Stay within the piece. What does it matter to the characters…the society… etc. § Since this is the last part of the essay that your reader will see, it should be powerfully worded and memorable. It should leave the reader with a strong impression of your argument. To do this, try using a rhetorical device such as parallel structure to give your concluding sentence punch!

In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the playwright depicts how unchecked ambition causes corruption. Macbeth and

In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the playwright depicts how unchecked ambition causes corruption. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth allow their ambition for the throne to corrupt their morals, and they become ruthless murderers as a result. The more Macbeth ignores his conscience, the more ruthless he becomes, and he eventually orders the slaugher of Macduff’s entirely innocent household of women and children. Lady Macbeth eventually faces the consequencs of her corrupt behaviour, but the guilt is so overpowering that she commits suicide. All of these tragic actions were avoidable. All of these tragic actions were unnecessary. Through the lens of this corrupt married couple, Shakespeare shows how one’s conscience can protect, guide and teach, and, that ignoring it can lead to dire consequences. What makes this conclusion paragraph effective? Thesis Summary of main points Broad statement

z z Drafting time!

z z Drafting time!

z Sources https: //www. uts. edu. au/current-students/support/helps/self-helpresources/academic-writing/sentence-level-writing https: //slideplayer. com/slide/6306384/

z Sources https: //www. uts. edu. au/current-students/support/helps/self-helpresources/academic-writing/sentence-level-writing https: //slideplayer. com/slide/6306384/