2. Opening Paragraph is your introduction. Its
where you introduce your topic of writing to
your audience.
Your introduction must be effective in order to
grab the readers attention and set the tone of
the paper; it is like making a first impression.
Closing paragraphs are for summarizing your
ideas and reiterating your purpose for writing.
Your conclusion is important because it is the
last thing the reader reads; you always want to
end on a positive note.
3. “A Hook”- grabber statement
A thesis statement
“The Hook is a 20 second window of opportunity
wherein marketers gain your attention” – this also
applies to writing!
Ways to accomplish this…
1.Begin with a broad general statement
2.Use a question or series of thought provoking
questions
3.Use quotations
4.Use an anecdote- a story or event with a moral
5.Use statistics
6.Use opposite of your topic- start by stating the
opposing views opinion
Quotations and ideas from Johnie H. Scott – see works cited page.
4. Thesis statement: is a single sentence that
states the main points you will be covering in
the essay.
Example: “Second life has blurred the line
between reality and fiction, provided users with
an escape from the real world, and is creating an
energy crisis.”
IN THE ABOVE, three points are clearly made about the
topic, Second Life, to let the reader know what they are
about to read further into.
5. Signal the end of the paper
Reiterate your thesis statement
What you may have learned
“The Big Picture”
Transitional words or phrases should be used to signal your
reader that you are ending your paper.
Your thesis should be restated in a way that summarizes
your expanded ideas in the previous paragraphs.
Another good idea is to tell what you learned; what did
you get or accomplish from your research?
“Explain why the content matters in terms of the “Big
Picture.”” In other words, why is the content of your essay
important to read? Speculate about the Future.
Quotations and ideas from “Closing Paragraphs” – see works cited page.
6. DO NOT start your paper with the main purpose of
your writing! “Good writers know that one of the
most serious errors that can be made is by opening up
right away with the main purpose of the writing.”
*begin with a broad, general statement and then
narrow it down to your thesis.
Beginning with, “In this paper I am going to write
about…” or anything along those lines is a huge
NO, NO!!
In your thesis, Don’t be too broad or specific.
*example of too broad, “Civil War was a major turning point
in American race relations.”
*Too specific: if you’re too specific and give too many details
the reader may stop reading. Make the reader curious to read
more.
Quotations and examples from Johnie H. Scott – see works cited page.
7. DON’T BE REPETIVTIVE!! This is probably the
most common mistake in concluding paragraphs.
It can be difficult not to repeat yourself because
you are restating your thesis, but you’re not
rewriting your thesis, just summarizing the ideas
previously discussed.
*Suggestion: “Address the implications of the essays
central claim”; “ask a rhetorical question” that will lead
the reader into a further thought process.
Quotations from Linda Ferreira-Buckley – see works cited page.
8. “Closing Paragraphs.” Writing Studio: Duke
University. 29 April 2009.
http://uwp.duke.edu/wstudio/documents/closin
g_paragraphs.pdf.
Ferreire-Buckley, Linda. “Teaching students tp
write effective opening and closing paragraphs.”
Writing Across the Curriculum. 29 April 2009.
http://utexas.edu/cola/progs/wac/highschool/h
sopenpara/.
Scott, Johnie H. “Attention Grabbers: opening and
closing Gambits for Writing.” Attention
Grabbers. 29 April 2009.
http://www.csun.edu/~hcpas003/essaygambits.
html.
