Essays Introductions and Conclusions

Introductions and Conclusions for Informative Essays

By Dave Vaughan

Poll

First of all, how are you feeling right now?

(select all that apply)

• Tired

• Hungry

• Happy

• Bored

• Full of Energy

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT

INTRODUCTIONS?

• a hook

• background information

• a thesis (topic for essay and what the body paragraphs will talk about)​

Introductions are important because they are the first thing a reader sees about your essay.

INTRODUCTIONS NEED

Poll

Which of the following is a great hook to use in your essay on Socrates (if your prompt is select one idea and share three ways it impacts the world today).

• Andy Warhol, the great impressionist artist, once said, “The idea is not to live forever, it is to create something that will.”

• Have you ever heard of Socrates' Socratic Method?

• Stop falling asleep in class and start asking questions!

• There are three important ways Socrates' ideas live on in today's world: through school, business and politics.

Poll

Suppose you begin your essay with a hook that is the question,

"Have you ever thought, who even came up with this idea in the first place?"

what would be appropriate background information to add after this question?

• If you haven't thought of this, maybe you're too busy distracting yourself in class.

• Socrates is a famous philosopher who also came up with his own ideas.

• Maybe it was after your parents explain a decision you don't agree with, or an idea shared as fact in school.

• Throughout history there have been many great thinkers who have shared their ideas with the masses.

Poll

Which of the following (you may choose more than one answer) should be included in your thesis?

• The topic of your essay

• Three subtopics covered in your essay

• One or two pieces of evidence to support your ideas

• An explanation for why you chose the topic

• Proof for the ideas in your essay

Draw

What is the thesis of this introduction? Underline the thesis that says what the essay is about. (HINT: The headings are "New Territory," "Saving Souls," and "Search for Wealth."

What comes after your introduction?

Can you name the parts of that?

The conclusion:

• summarizes the ideas discussed in your essay

• ​opens the topic back up to the general idea with new information to think about

What are some good conclusions you know about?

CONCLUSION

​https://youtu.be/Zd0tP2undNo

Draw

From the video, highlight the conclusion you would choose to use at the end of your essay.

Poll

Based on these ideas what might be a good way to end you essay on the topic of Aristotle and his three key ideas?

• The next time you're struggling to understand complex ideas, perhaps keep in mind Aristotle's remark that "learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain."

• Who is the next philosopher you're interested in learning about?

• Aristotle may not be the only man remembered for his ideas and he won't be the last. What ideas do you think you will be remembered for?

• Aristotle is one of the least credited philosophers of his time. This injustice must be stopped. Go forth and spread what you have learned about this great philosopher.

Draw

Underline the thesis statement.

Draw

Underline evidence in red for the first body paragraph and highlight the explanation in green.

Draw

Underline the restated thesis in the conclusion of the essay.

First Flight | Interactive Worksheet by Dave Vaughan | Wizer.me

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