Chapter 8, Essay Essentials

NETA PowerPoint® Slides
to accompany
Copyright © 2015 by Nelson Education Ltd.
prepared by
Rhonda Dynes
Mohawk
College
8-1

Writing Introductions and
Conclusions
Chapter 8
8-2

Introductions and Conclusions
Two paragraphs of your paper—the first and the last—
serve special functions and deserve special care.
Many writers wait until after they have worked
through a draft or two of the body of an essay
before tackling these two critical paragraphs.
8-3

Introductions and Conclusions cont’d
To introduce and conclude your subject effectively,
you need to know what main ideas your paper
explores and how these ideas are arranged and
developed. Only then can you integrate the
beginning and the ending of your essay into
the whole.
8-4

The Introductory Paragraph
The introduction is worth special
attention because that’s where your
readers either sit up and take notice of
your paper or sigh and move on to
something else.
There are two parts to an introductory
paragraph:
1. an attention-getter
2. a thesis statement
8-5

Getting and Holding Your
Readers’ Attention
An attention-getter, which is
designed to get your reader
interested in what you have to say,
starts the communication off right,
but it must be appropriate and cater
to your intended readers. Make your
opening sentences clear, interesting,
and creative.
8-6

Eight Kinds of Essay Openings
1. Spell Out the Significance of Your
Subject
If your subject’s significance can spark your
readers’ interest, they will want to know
more about it, especially if it is a subject
that affects them directly.
2. Begin with a Well-Phrased
Quotation
You might choose a famous statement, a
popular slogan, or a common saying.
8-7

Eight Kinds of Essay Openings cont’d
3. Use a Startling Statement
Sometimes a surprising remark (not an
insult or a false exaggeration) is effective in
getting readers’ attention.
4. Ask a Question or Two
Questions are often an effective way to
encourage interest because your readers
will find themselves thinking of answers.
Some questions are rhetorical; they will not
have specific answers. Others might be
answered in your essay.
8-8

5. Begin with a Generalization
Related to Your Subject
Generalizations can be useful for suggesting
the context and scope of your subject.
They must, however, be narrowed down
carefully to a focused thesis statement.
6. Challenge a Common Opinion
Perhaps your readers have also doubted
a popular belief. You can assert that an
opinion is false, and the body of your
paper can contain evidence to support
your view.
8-9

7. Begin with a Definition
A definition is a good way to begin if you are
introducing a key term that you suspect may
be unfamiliar to your readers.
8. Describe an Interesting Incident
or Tell an Anecdote Related to Your
Subject
Readers like stories. The incident or
anecdote you select might be a story from
the media, an event involving family or
friends, or a personal experience.
8-10

The Concluding Paragraph
The conclusion of your paper has a special form. Think of your
favourite television sitcom. The last section of the show wraps
up the plot, explains any details that might be unresolved, and
leaves you with a satisfying sense that all is well.
The last paragraph of your paper has two functions:
1. It summarizes or reinforces the main points of
your paper.
2. It ends with an appropriate statement,
question, or request for action.
8-11

Summary Statements
Your summary statement should be as concise as
you can make it and must be phrased in such a way
that it does not repeat word for word the portion of
your thesis statement that identifies the main points.
It is meant to leave a sense of what the reader has
just digested in an easy-to-remember form.
Never end without a “clincher.”
8-12

How Do You End a Paragraph?
A good paragraph doesn’t just end; like a
door, it should close firmly, with a “click.”
Finish your paragraph with a statement that
serves either as a clincher—an unmistakable
and appropriate conclusion—or a transition
to the new idea that will be developed in the
next paragraph.
8-13

Six Ways to End Your Paper
1. End with a Relevant or Thought-
Provoking Quotation.
You can use this type of ending in
two ways:
1. to repeat an earlier quotation but
give it a new meaning
2. to place your subject in a larger
context by supplying a new
quotation from a recognized
authority in the field
8-14

Six Ways to End Your Paper cont’d
2. Offer a Solution to a Problem
Discussed in Your Paper
You can plan an organization for
your paper that will allow you to
resolve a problem or neutralize
negative consequences in your
conclusion. This allows you to be
persuasive or to make a point that
you believe is valid.
8-15

3. End with One or More Relevant
or Thought-Provoking Questions
The advantage of clinching your
paper with a question is that
readers automatically tend to
pause and consider it: questions
stimulate thought. Be sure,
though, that your question relates
directly to your subject.
8-16

4. Point Out the Value or
Significance of Your Subject to
Your Readers
If you emphasize your subject matter
at the end of your paper, you can
stamp its importance on your
readers’ memory.
8-17

5. Make a Connection to a
Statement Made in Your
Introduction
This strategy provides your readers
with a sense of closure. They will
recall your earlier statement and
feel satisfied that the loose ends
have been tied up.
8-18

6. End with a Suggestion for Change
or a Prediction about the Future
Your suggestion for change will
influence your readers if they have
been persuaded by your
arguments. Your predictions of
events that might occur should
not be misleading or exaggerated,
or your readers will
be skeptical.
8-19

Summary
In this chapter, you’ve learned
•what an introduction looks like
•what an attention-getter is
•eight ways to open your essay
•what a conclusion looks like
•what a clincher is
•six ways to close your essay
8-20

Chapter 8, Essay Essentials

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (8)

Similar to Chapter 8, Essay Essentials

Similar to Chapter 8, Essay Essentials (20)

More from derekbjenkins

More from derekbjenkins (9)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Chapter 8, Essay Essentials