Writing skill (1)

Essay

(1) Introductory Paragraphs

*Hook: one sentence (first sentence in the introductory paragraph)
*Development: three to four sentences (middle sentences)
*Thesis: one sentence (often the last sentence in the introductory paragraph)

The thesis sentence is the most important part of the introduction.
When writing a thesis sentence
<1> limit the topic
<2> make a clear statement about the topic
<3> refine the statement by explaining it clearly and using specific words, action words, and sensory details.

15-30 words

Example: A: More frequently than people realize there are dangers in deli work.
B: If you don't want to end up in the emergency room on your first day here, you need to be aware of the potential dangers in working at a deli.


A: A sense of humor has been useful to me.
B: Being able to laugh at myself in embarrassing situations has saved me from some depressing moments.

A: Winter is hard on the world
B: With its Arctic wind and subzero temperatures, winter drives plants, animals, and people into hiding.

A: I know how to make my wife(husband, girl/boyfriend) happy.
B: While my wife enjoys receiving presents on established occasions like birthdays, if I want to make her truly happy, I bring her small, unexpected presents throughout the year.

A: There is one kind of party that is sure to attract the police.
B: Whenever I have Eric's band over to play at a keg party in my backyard, the police show up before midnight.

A: Buying gifts that will be well received is not easy as you need to pick the right gift.
B: To buy a special gift for someone, you have to know the person well and buy her what she, not you, would value.

A: Extreme sports fall into several different categories.
B: Leaping from a bridge with a piece of rope attached to my ankle, clinging to a sheer rock face 2,000 feet above the ground, or jumping out of a plane at 15,000 feet-my favorite extreme sports can be classified by the element of risk in eash.

Strategies for introductions
1. Description
2. Narration
3. Comparison/contrast
4. Cause and effect
5. Definition
6. Persuasion
7. Question(s)
8. Background information/history (including why the topic is important to you)
9. Startling information
10. Reversal
11. Combination of serveral methods

Methods for creating hooks
1. Ask a question
2. Begin with a line of dialogue
3. Begin with a quotation
4. Make a startling statement
5. Present an unusual fact
6. Use a vivid image
7. Create a comparison (possibly a metaphor or simile)
8. Combination of methods.