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Essay Writing: The Introduction

From http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/Sample/Advanced/unit1/u1_l1a_1.htm

Parts of the Introduction
	The introduction is the beginning of an essay. It does the same job for an essay as the topic sentence does for a paragraph. In a paragraph, the topic sentence tells the reader what the subject of the paragraph will be and how it will be developed. In an essay, the introduction, which can be one or two paragraphs, introduces the topic. There are three parts to an introduction: the opening statement, the supporting sentences, and the introductory topic sentence. There are many ways to write an introduction, but it is necessary to include each of the three parts: an opening statement or question that attracts the reader's attention — this is often called "the hook", supporting sentences which link "the hook" to the thesis, and a thesis statement that states the purpose and plan of the whole essay. In the example introductory paragraphs below, the opening statement, supporting statements, or thesis statement is highlighted. The "Hook" or Opening Statement Hugh Lofting's character, Dr. Doolittle, could talk to animals and they could talk back. Many people fantasize about having such a skill. Imagine being able to talk to your household pets and getting a response back. Could it ever be possible? Language acquisition studies among primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobo chimpanzees suggest that the answer is yes, and no. Supporting Statements Hugh Lofting's character, Dr. Doolittle, could talk to animals and they could talk back. Many people fantasize about having such a skill. Imagine being able to talk to your household pets and getting a response back. Could it ever be possible? Language acquisition studies among primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobo chimpanzees suggest that the answer is yes, and no. Thesis Statement Hugh Lofting's character, Dr. Doolittle, could talk to animals and they could talk back. Many people fantasize about having such a skill. Imagine being able to talk to your household pets and getting a response back. Could it ever be possible? Language acquisition studies among primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobo chimpanzees suggest that the answer is yes, and no.

Parts of the Introduction
	The Opening Statement The purpose of the opening statement is to make the reader want to read the essay. The opening statement is often called the "hook" because it acts like a fishing hook: it catches the reader's attention it pulls the reader into the essay There are many different ways to write a hook. Here are a few of the types of hooks that you can use: Question: Can you remember the fear and excitement you felt the first time you went to a foreign country? Statistic: The majority of American visitors to Canada in 2001 arrived by automobile. Quotation: "Sometimes it's a little better to travel than to arrive." Robert M. Pirsig — Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
	The Supporting Sentences In an introduction you begin with the hook. Then you guide or lead the reader from that opening sentence to the topic and the thesis statement. The supporting sentences help your reader understand how the hook is linked to the topic. They help the reader focus on your specific topic. The sample paragraph above is only one example of how to link the hook to the topic. Although there are many ways to write an introduction, the important point is that you lead the reader to your main idea and topic. You will learn more about other ways to write an introduction in Lesson 1B. Before that, let's look at thesis statements.

Grammar Check

Possessive or Plural -s?

Look at this sentence:

My father's car has 2 doors.

One -s is plural while the other is possessive. Plural means not one--many. Possessive means that something in the sentence belongs to that person (or thing).

In effect, the -s in doors means that there is more than one car. The -'s in father's means that something belongs to the father--in this case the car belongs to the father.

Check out this link for more information and practice. This also has good explanation.

Here you will find very simple, easy exercises.

Preparation for Grammar/Mechanics Quiz

Search online for the following and study (you can also use the Grammar Program on the computer). Use ESL in your search. Make sure you try out some quizzes or exercises. We will have a quiz on these next week.

1. Capitalization Rules
2. Word Order
3. Subject-Verb Agreement
4. Count and Noncount Nouns
5. Adjectives
6. Adjectives and Nouns

Adverbs!!!

Post your grammar answers here as a comment.

How Well Do You Know...?

Click here to take the quiz on Yiddish. How well do you know these expressions?

Making It in New York City Study Guide

Study Guide

Welcome to the Fall Semester at CLIP!

1. Please click HERE to enter your information.

Here are some useful links to items we will use this semester.

• Syllabus Outline with academic calendar
• TV Journal

Test Your Awareness : Whodunnit?

The Monkey Business Illusion

QUIZLET

This is a website where you can create your own study and practice materials for free, or you can find flashcards other people have made and study them.

Sign up for your own free account and make materials to study English now or any of your college subjects later when you are in college.

Here are some that have already been prepared for Groundwork:
Groundwork for a Better Vocabulary Chapter 1
Groundwork for a Better Vocabulary Chapter 2
Groundwork for a Better Vocabulary Chapter 3
Groundwork for a Better Vocabulary Chapter 4
Groundwork for a Better Vocabulary Chapter 5

Parts of Speech Quiz

Click here to take the test.

ECCE MICHIGAN LISTENING 2013

Listening 1
Listening 2

Post your questions here

Post your yes/no questions and your information (wh-) questions here as a comment. You can sign in your google account or comment as a guest.

Used to or Use to?

The website 5MinuteEnglish.com explains that when we add USE TO + verb we are using it as a verb form. Perhaps an auxiliary? Here's how they explain it:

Used as a verb. Use to + verb is a regular verb and means something that happened but doesn't happen any more. It uses -ed to show past tense. But since it always means something that happened in the past, it should always use past tense. For example- I used to go to school in Paris.(I went to school there before, but now I don't.) Or, When Joshua was a child, he used to climb trees. (Now he doesn't climb trees.)

Remember, we always use this word when talking about the past. So when do you use use to without the d at the end? When the base form of the verb is used. Look at these examples- She didn't use to swim before noon. (Now she does swim before noon.) Or Did your father use to ride a horse? In these cases the past tense is shown with the did and didn't.

5minuteenglish.com