how to write an introduction paragraph AWS
NAME: ENGLISH 9
DATE: Romeo & Juliet FINAL EXAM REVIEW SHEET
HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
SPECIFIC
Step 1: Hook Grab the reader’s attention & introduce the GENERAL TOPIC (topic of your theme OR author’s purpose) Step 2: Transition/Link Introduce the text & provide brief summary. Remember to TAG the literature! T – title, A – author, G – genre
GENERAL
Step 3: Thesis Statement The SPECIFIC point(s) to be proved in your paper; a preview of what will be proved in the body of the essay THEMATIC CLAIM Related to the T.S. in each body paragraph
MODEL INTRO USING LORD OF THE FLIES Label each part of the introduction paragraph below. Chaos often leads to violence and disaster. For example, in the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, a group of boys land on a deserted island and have to fend for themselves. At first, they organize themselves as a democracy, choosing Ralph as their leader who sets specific responsibilities and tasks for the boys. As time goes by, though, the organization begins to crumble, ultimately leading to the death of one of their friends. Simon’s death is a result of the boys’ fear of
the beast, Jack’s authoritarian leadership, and the development of mob mentality.
HOW TO WRITE A BODY PARAGRAPH Topic Sentence
This should connect to the thesis and introduce the body paragraph.
Context/Level 1 Details Provide details to introduce the quote. What is happening in this moment? Who is speaking? (2-3 sentences) Evidence
Remember to introduce the quote (Lee writes, Atticus says, etc.). Include the page number in parentheses.
Analysis/Level 2 Details
How does the evidence prove the thesis/claim?
Summary Sentence/Level 3 Details
Tie it all together.
MODEL BODY PARAGRAPH USING LORD OF THE FLIES Label each part of the body paragraph below. Simon’s death was a direct result of irrational fear, as demonstrated through the boys’ actions at the feast. At Jack’s new camp, they began dancing and chanting around the fire. As a threatening thunderstorm begins, Simon comes stumbling out of the jungle, hoping to tell the boys that the beast they fear is in fact a dead man in a parachute. Golding writes, "At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore. There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws” (Golding 153). In this moment, Golding describes the boys violently attacking Simon, whom they mistake as the beast. Because they are so afraid of the beast, they allow their animal instincts to take over and act so quickly that they are completely unaware that they are killing Simon and not the beast. This is important because it reveals that Simon’s death was a result of reacting to their fear rather than thinking logically.
HOW TO WRITE A CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
SPECIFIC
Step 1: Restate the thesis in a new way. Remember to include a transition word/phrase to start conclusion! (1 sentence) Step 2: Briefly summarize the main ideas from each body paragraph (1-3 sentence MAX)
GENERAL
Step 3: Relate it to the world – Keep the reader thinking about the lesson learned from this moment in the text.
MODEL CONCLUSION USING LORD OF THE FLIES Label each part of the conclusion paragraph below.
Clearly, Simon’s death was a consequence of many factors. The boys’ fear of the beast, Jack’s intimidating leadership style, and the inability of the boys to think independently all contribute to the death of an innocent boy who was only trying to help his classmates escape from the island. Golding’s impactful choice to have the boys kill Simon makes readers question the evil nature of human beings and wonder about their own ability to commit violence under extreme circumstances.
Writing Tips Good writers use variety – in their word choices, transitions, and sentence structures. Use the handout below to add some flare to your word choices and transitions! Some Possible Sentence Starters for INTRODUCING Evidence For example For instance To illustrate [Character’s name] says / believes / thinks / states / replies / comments / explains / [Author’s last name] writes… [Author’s last name] describes…
Some Possible Sentence Starters for ANALYZING/EXPLAINING Evidence: This proves / confirms / demonstrates / verifies / illustrates / corroborates / validates / exemplifies / reveals / justifies / conveys / describes / shows Readers gain the understanding that… This implies / suggests This is important / significant because Through ___________ [Author’s name] reveals… [Author’s name] does this because… We learn that… In other words
Similarities/Connections In addition / Additionally Also Likewise In the same way Furthermore Similarly Moreover Further
Transition Words Contradictions / Oppositions Although In contrast Despite Instead On the other hand Conversely On the contrary Regardless
Conclusion/Summary Overall To conclude In essence Clearly In short
Good writers also use proper punctuation and citations! We know Romeo and Juliet can be tricky, so here is a model for the proper way to state and cite the evidence: Option #1: Despite Juliet’s sincere and reasonable fear for Romeo’s safety, he shrugs off her concern by telling her “There lies more peril in thine eye/Than twenty of their swords!” (II.ii.76-77). Option #2: Romeo states, “There lies more peril in thine eye/Than twenty of their swords!” (II.ii.76-77). Option #3: Juliet tells Romeo she is concerned for his safety, but Romeo is unafraid: “There lies more peril in thine eye/Than twenty of their swords!” (II.ii.76-77).
DATE: Romeo & Juliet FINAL EXAM REVIEW SHEET
HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
SPECIFIC
Step 1: Hook Grab the reader’s attention & introduce the GENERAL TOPIC (topic of your theme OR author’s purpose) Step 2: Transition/Link Introduce the text & provide brief summary. Remember to TAG the literature! T – title, A – author, G – genre
GENERAL
Step 3: Thesis Statement The SPECIFIC point(s) to be proved in your paper; a preview of what will be proved in the body of the essay THEMATIC CLAIM Related to the T.S. in each body paragraph
MODEL INTRO USING LORD OF THE FLIES Label each part of the introduction paragraph below. Chaos often leads to violence and disaster. For example, in the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, a group of boys land on a deserted island and have to fend for themselves. At first, they organize themselves as a democracy, choosing Ralph as their leader who sets specific responsibilities and tasks for the boys. As time goes by, though, the organization begins to crumble, ultimately leading to the death of one of their friends. Simon’s death is a result of the boys’ fear of
the beast, Jack’s authoritarian leadership, and the development of mob mentality.
HOW TO WRITE A BODY PARAGRAPH Topic Sentence
This should connect to the thesis and introduce the body paragraph.
Context/Level 1 Details Provide details to introduce the quote. What is happening in this moment? Who is speaking? (2-3 sentences) Evidence
Remember to introduce the quote (Lee writes, Atticus says, etc.). Include the page number in parentheses.
Analysis/Level 2 Details
How does the evidence prove the thesis/claim?
Summary Sentence/Level 3 Details
Tie it all together.
MODEL BODY PARAGRAPH USING LORD OF THE FLIES Label each part of the body paragraph below. Simon’s death was a direct result of irrational fear, as demonstrated through the boys’ actions at the feast. At Jack’s new camp, they began dancing and chanting around the fire. As a threatening thunderstorm begins, Simon comes stumbling out of the jungle, hoping to tell the boys that the beast they fear is in fact a dead man in a parachute. Golding writes, "At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore. There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws” (Golding 153). In this moment, Golding describes the boys violently attacking Simon, whom they mistake as the beast. Because they are so afraid of the beast, they allow their animal instincts to take over and act so quickly that they are completely unaware that they are killing Simon and not the beast. This is important because it reveals that Simon’s death was a result of reacting to their fear rather than thinking logically.
HOW TO WRITE A CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
SPECIFIC
Step 1: Restate the thesis in a new way. Remember to include a transition word/phrase to start conclusion! (1 sentence) Step 2: Briefly summarize the main ideas from each body paragraph (1-3 sentence MAX)
GENERAL
Step 3: Relate it to the world – Keep the reader thinking about the lesson learned from this moment in the text.
MODEL CONCLUSION USING LORD OF THE FLIES Label each part of the conclusion paragraph below.
Clearly, Simon’s death was a consequence of many factors. The boys’ fear of the beast, Jack’s intimidating leadership style, and the inability of the boys to think independently all contribute to the death of an innocent boy who was only trying to help his classmates escape from the island. Golding’s impactful choice to have the boys kill Simon makes readers question the evil nature of human beings and wonder about their own ability to commit violence under extreme circumstances.
Writing Tips Good writers use variety – in their word choices, transitions, and sentence structures. Use the handout below to add some flare to your word choices and transitions! Some Possible Sentence Starters for INTRODUCING Evidence For example For instance To illustrate [Character’s name] says / believes / thinks / states / replies / comments / explains / [Author’s last name] writes… [Author’s last name] describes…
Some Possible Sentence Starters for ANALYZING/EXPLAINING Evidence: This proves / confirms / demonstrates / verifies / illustrates / corroborates / validates / exemplifies / reveals / justifies / conveys / describes / shows Readers gain the understanding that… This implies / suggests This is important / significant because Through ___________ [Author’s name] reveals… [Author’s name] does this because… We learn that… In other words
Similarities/Connections In addition / Additionally Also Likewise In the same way Furthermore Similarly Moreover Further
Transition Words Contradictions / Oppositions Although In contrast Despite Instead On the other hand Conversely On the contrary Regardless
Conclusion/Summary Overall To conclude In essence Clearly In short
Good writers also use proper punctuation and citations! We know Romeo and Juliet can be tricky, so here is a model for the proper way to state and cite the evidence: Option #1: Despite Juliet’s sincere and reasonable fear for Romeo’s safety, he shrugs off her concern by telling her “There lies more peril in thine eye/Than twenty of their swords!” (II.ii.76-77). Option #2: Romeo states, “There lies more peril in thine eye/Than twenty of their swords!” (II.ii.76-77). Option #3: Juliet tells Romeo she is concerned for his safety, but Romeo is unafraid: “There lies more peril in thine eye/Than twenty of their swords!” (II.ii.76-77).
