The Third Step in Essay Writing: Organization, Conclusions, and Introductions

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The Third Step in Essay Writing Organization,
Conclusions, and Introductions

• From College Writing Skills with Readings, pp.
  79-97

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Table Contents

• Part I Common Methods of Organization
• Part II Transitional Words
• Part III Introductions
• Part IV Conclusions
• Part V Title

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Part I Common Methods of Organizationpp. 80-83

• Time or Chronological Order
• The paragraph is structured according to time
• Use transitional words like first, next, then,
  after, finally, second, third, etc.
• p. 81 Circle the transitional words in the
  paragraph

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Emphatic Orderpp. 81-82
Saving the best till last.

• Places importance or a priority on the most
  interesting details by placing them in the last
  part of the paragraph.
• Reader is most likely to remember the last point
  stated in the paragraph
• Transitional words finally, last of all, most
  importantly, for one thing, worst of all, etc.

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Part II Transitional Words pp. 83-89

• Transitional words are the direction of a
  writers thoughts.
• They are like road signs to guide travelers
• For an example of transitional words, go to
• http//www.studyguide.org/transitions_in_essays.ht
  m

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Other Connecting Wordspp. 88-89

• Pronouns (he, she, you, they, this, that) are
  another way to connect ideas and avoid
  repetition. Instead of saying, for example the
  bus driver 15 times, you can say she, or the
  driver.
• Synonyms- words alike in meaning
• Words like technique, procedure,
• and way mean the same and can
• be used interchangeably in an essay.

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Part III Writing Introductionspp. 90-93

• Functions of the Introduction
• Attracts the readers attention
• Supplies background information
• Presents a thesis statement

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Common Methods of Introduction pp. 90-92

• Begin with a broad, general statement of the
  topic and then narrow it down to your thesis
• Start with an idea or situation relates to or can
  even be the opposite of the one you will develop
• Use an incident or brief story and connect it to
  your thesis statement

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Writing Introductions Continued

• Use a shocking fact to attract the readers
  attention and explain how it relates to the
  thesis
• Explain the importance of the topic to the reader
• Use a cliché, proverb or other quotation
  (remember to indicate who said it, if the quote
  has an author)
• Ask a thought-provoking question (in the third
  person)

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Part IV Writing Conclusionspp. 93-95

• To conclude is to bring the essay to an end. The
• conclusion is the last paragraph of the entire
  essay.
• Do not include specific facts or details in your
  conclusion.
• Do not start a new idea.
• Do not rewrite the thesis or introduction.

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Writing Conclusions Continued

• Different Techniques
• End with a summary and final thought (dont
  include details)
• Include a thought-provoking question
• Return to the original idea in the intro and
  reassess it in the last paragraph
• End with a prediction or a recommendation

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Part V Titles

• Give your essay a unique name.
• After all, it is your creative baby.

You wouldnt want to give your name an ugly name,
would you?