IntroductionsThe gateway to good writing

What is the big deal?• I want you to imagine the first time

you met someone and it was AWFUL!

• Maybe later you realized that person was great, but unfortunately it took you awhile to get to that point.

• THAT is your introduction!• It is our first impression of you and

your paper.

Tricks and Tips

• ALWAYS INCLUDE A THESIS STATEMENT!! (The point of your paper.)

• Be creative• HOOK them in!• Use one of the strategies I will

give you.

DO NOT…• DO NOT say “My name is… and I am

going to tell you about…” or ANY variation of that statement!

• DO NOT EVER use slang (unless it is in dialogue)

• DO NOT give a dictionary definition.• DO NOT REWRITE THE PROMPT! (We

know what the prompt is. I do not need you to repeat it for me!)

Description of a Setting

• The writer describes an environment dealing with the story.

• The use of sensory details (sight, touch, smell, sound and taste) become very important.

• Your reader should visualize the setting

Description of a setting

Going to work was killing my soul and I knew it was time for a change. The morning air was filled with exhaust and grey dread as I inched my way towards downtown. Cars piled up, one after the other, like cows slowly headed for the slaughter. Approaching my building the litter blew in little tornadoes as the weak, frail trees fought hard to keep their posture. I soon reached my destination and prepared to start the day.

Dialogue• Involves including bits of a

conversation.• MUST USE QUOTATION MARKS

TO INDICATE DIALOGUE• Separate different speakers with

paragraphs

Dialogue“I can’t believe it! Are you sure?!” I asked.“The call came in today. It’s confirmed and you are definitely it! Congratulations honey!” my mom said. Out of everyone in my school I had been selected for the National Merit Scholarship. I was going to college with everything paid. My whole life I had worked hard to be successful. Not for me but for the one person who always believed in my success- my mother.

Action• Relies heavily on ACTIVE verbs

(Remember- VERB it’s what you do!)

• Uses SPECIFIC movements and descriptive words referring to the movement

• Ex: Skipping happily…Forcefully pushed…

ActionIt was almost time to make my entrance. I knew ,symbolically, my Quinceañera transformed me from a child to a young woman and I wanted everything to be perfect. My mother busied herself fixing and straightening my dress while my grandmother delicately fitted the tiara on my head. Outside the musicians strummed their instruments and everyone waited for my big moment.

Glimpse of a Character• SPECIFIC descriptive words

describe a character or characters

• This is NOT a place for you to tell their story- you just DESCRIBE

• Focus on words appealing to the five senses

Glimpse of a characterThe years may have turned his hair gray and added a few extra inches around the middle but he was still an impressive figure. He kept a large portion of muscle mass from his days as a bodybuilder and his wrinkle free face made his age difficult to determine. Despite his large and muscular appearance my father still remains the kind and wonderful man who made me and so many others the confident people we are today.

Simile or Metaphor

• Simile- Making a comparison using LIKE or AS

• Metaphor- Making a comparison NOT using like or as

• BRIEFLY explain the comparison you make

Simile or MetaphorTwelve years of marriage is like listening to my favorite music. I sing happily to each tune with a smile on my face recalling the memories I have associated with every song. Some songs, despite, being sad and tragic only add to the beauty of the music and keep me replaying them over and over again. Some people love a new band year after year but I am different. To me, each song gets better every time I hear it.

Question (Do not ask “life” questions.)

• Stay away from questions dealing with the “biggies” in life.

• Stay away from love, friends, hate, etc…Example: “Have you ever been in love?”“Have you ever had a fight with a friend?”

YUK!!! These are horrible questions!Stay away from simple yes or no

questions.

QuestionAt what point should a woman say enough is enough? At what point should a girl stand up and be counted? In my family, the boys have always been treated differently than the girls. It was always assumed girls would learn girl things in school, like nursing, then get married and have children. Well, no more! I have decided I do not want to fall into that pattern. My life will be different. I plan to break tradition.

A List• Give glimpses or hints about

the subject of the paper• Use SHORT PHRASES not long

sentences• At the end or beginning of the

list, you still need to include the thesis statement (basically what is the point of this list)

A ListSun blazes in the sky.

Water splashes gently onto the surf. Coconut smell lingers in the wind. And silence all around. There has never been a better vacation than my trip to Hawaii two years ago.

Quote• Use a quote from someone else-

NOT YOURSELF• This is ONE statement NOT a

dialogue• Make sure to use quotation marks• State WHO said the quote

According to…_____ once said…._____ famously stated…

A quoteIt was John F. Kennedy who once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” These words ring in my ears every time I show up at the animal shelter I volunteer at every other Saturday. It may not be much to some people; but, in this small way, I can give back to a community that has given me so much.