Introduction and Conclusions

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Introduction and Conclusions

• Mrs. Little
• AP Literature and Composition

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Introduction Writing

• Remember the big picture
• What is my purpose?
• Who is my audience? (Not me!)

• Do the legwork
• Research first (embed pieces in your intro)
• Create a solid Thesis (clear and pointed)

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Introduction Writing

• Create a hook
• Quote
• Statistic
• Anecdote
• Case study/Court case
• Ex I pledge allegiance to the flagand to the
  republic for which it stands. One nation under
  God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
  all. These seemingly harmless words are spoken
  in school classrooms every day

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Introduction Writing

• Give background on your subject
• Tell the history
• Tell the controversy
• Highlight both sides
• Ex These seemingly harmless words are spoken in
  school classrooms every day. In fact, most
  students are taught the Pledge of Allegiance in
  Kindergarten or first grade. While this act of
  teaching history and heritage is no doubt
  essential to Americas youth, there has been
  controversy throughout the years over whether or
  not students can opt out of saluting the flag.
  One major cause for concern is the phrase, under
  God, which seems to create arguments on both
  sides about the Separation of Church and State.
  Some argue that forcing students to say the
  pledge is a violation of first amendment rights.
  Still others dispute that it is a part of our
  American history, patronage, and respect to our
  country. It seems ironic that the amendment,
  which gives one the right to exempt him or
  herself from the pledge is the very reason why
  one should salute the flag. Yet it remains to be
  determined as to whether we should uphold our
  countrys foundational values, or create some
  laws that require all Americans to do what some
  would say is their patriotic duty.

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Introduction Writing

• Bring in your thesis
• This is the last sentence of your introduction
• It should tell
• Your topic
• Your position
• 3 arguable reasons
• Your opposition
• Ex Yet it remains to be determined as to whether
  we should uphold our countrys foundational
  values, or create some laws that require all
  Americans to do what some would say is their
  patriotic duty. Although many believe that
  pledging should be required in school, standing
  and/or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance should
  not be required as it violates the first
  amendment right to separation of church and
  state, many religions do not observe the same
  religious deity, and forcing those into
  patriotism only weakens the idea patriotism.

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• I pledge allegiance to the flagand to the
  republic for which it stands. One nation under
  God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
  all. These seemingly harmless words are spoken
  in school classrooms every day. In fact, most
  students are taught the Pledge of Allegiance in
  Kindergarten or first grade. While, this act of
  teaching history and heritage is no doubt
  essential to Americas youth, there has been
  controversy throughout the years over whether or
  not students can opt out of saluting the flag.
  One major cause for concern is the phrase, under
  God, which seems to create arguments on both
  sides about the Separation of Church and State.
  Some argue that forcing students to say the
  pledge is a violation of First Amendment rights.
  Still others dispute that it is a part of our
  American history, patronage, and respect to our
  country. It seems ironic that the amendment,
  which gives one the right to exempt him or
  herself from the pledge, is the very reason why
  one should salute the flag. Yet it remains to be
  determined as to whether we should uphold our
  countrys foundational values, or create some
  laws that require all Americans to do what some
  would say is their patriotic duty. Although many
  believe that pledging should be required in
  school, standing and/or reciting the Pledge of
  Allegiance should not be required as it violates
  the First Amendment right to Separation of Church
  and State, many religions do not observe the same
  religious deity, and forcing those into
  patriotism only weakens the idea patriotism.

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Anatomy of a Conclusion

• Revisits major reasons proven through logic
  without listing
• Restates the thesis in a new way
• Leaves the reader with broader implications

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Thesis Restatement

• The conclusion begins with a restatement of the
  thesis, not a repetition, and gradually widens
  toward a final broad statement of implication.

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Revisit Reasons

• Borrows from the body paragraphs, without being
  flatly repetitive or listing points already
  covered.

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Implications

• Moves outward with a statement that relates the
  thesis to a broader implication so the reader can
  see the analytical focus in a larger perspective
  or application.

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Strategies for Composing Conclusions

• Strike a note of hope or despair.
• Give a symbolic or powerful detail/fact.
• Create an analogy that relates your topic to a
  larger implication.
• Give an especially compelling example.
• Use a meaningful quotation. (If you used a
  meaningful quotation in your introduction, refer
  back to this quote and tie it in with your
  overall analysis.)

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• Recommend a course of action without being
  preachy.
• Echo the language and approach of the
  introduction.
• Reference and make meaning of the title of the
  work you are analyzing.