writing lecture recording on 26 February 2025 at 11.40.16 AM

Introduction to Writing Good Introductions

• Importance of a strong opening in essays regardless of project

• Key tips for launching your essay:

  • Start with grammar: Ensure clarity in sentence structure.

  • Use engaging openings that capture interest rather than tedious starts.

Effective Opening Strategies

• Quotations:

  • Consider starting with a catchy quote or aphorism.

  • Example: "Death," can set a powerful tone depending on the topic.

• Stunning Facts:

  • Starting with an alarming statistic can engage the reader's attention.

  • Example: "Seventy five percent of 10-year-olds in urban environments have witnessed gun violence."

  • Purpose: Provides a shocking context for the topic.

Structuring the Introduction

• Identify Your Topic:

  • Clearly state the subject matter you will explore, posing a question or outlining a controversy.

• Background Information:

  • Provide a brief context or lay of the land to ease the reader into your topic.

  • Example: Background on gun violence, touching on the grave implications for youth in urban centers.

• Purpose Statement:

  • Explain the significance of your argument. Highlight why readers should care.

  • Example: "We need to get rid of guns or educate; the status quo cannot continue."

Thesis Statement

• Defining the Thesis:

  • Your thesis is the main claim or argument that will guide your essay.

• Components of a Strong Thesis:

  • Main Claim: What you are arguing.

  • Roadmap for Argument: Outline how you will argue your point and why it matters.

• Mapping the Thesis:

  • Use specific points that you will discuss in the body of your paper, usually broken into three or four parts.

Characteristics of an Effective Thesis

• Clarity and Specificity:

  • Avoid vague statements. Be clear about what you are arguing.

• Debatable Position:

  • Your thesis should contribute something new to discussions, rather than echo common beliefs.

• Avoiding Common Pitfalls:

  • Be cautious of overly broad or obvious statements that lack depth.

Connection to Conclusion

• Restructuring Ideas:

  • In the conclusion, revisit your thesis but rephrase it. Avoid cutting and pasting.

• Final Statement:

  • Leave the reader with a memorable takeaway, potentially a call to action or rhetorical question.

Analyzing Successful Thesis Examples

• Review successful thesis structures within a sample context.

• Example breakdown:

  • Hook: A striking fact about relocation.

  • Overview of the Subject: What the article discusses around the theme of home.

  • Argument Breakdown: The significance behind pathos, ethos, and logos in the context.

• Usage of Source Material: Highlight effective use of source citations versus repetition.

Evaluating Drafts and Proposals

• When reviewing drafts, assess the following:

  • Is the introductory hook effective at engaging interest?

  • Does the content contain a balance between personal anecdote and factual support?

  • Are concepts clearly articulated and grammatically correct?

• Constructive Critique:

  • Engage with the text, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and coherence of ideas.

  • Notice areas of strength and those needing revision.