Colleen M. Richardson

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Week 2: Remembering People and Writing Profiles

The following links will help you to see and hear what you are reading about in the essays.   To learn more about the author of "Uncle Willie" go to http://hsl.hst.msu.edu/cal/celeb/angelou.htm

This sight includes a clip of Maya Angelou talking.  The next link provides background music as you read about Maya Angelou.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1523/maya.html.xyz

Click on the next sight in order to hear the "Soup Nazi" speak on the Jerry Seinfeld show.  http://wwwgeocities.com/WallStreet/6149/nosoup.wav

For more links to Seinfeld characters, check out the following link

http://users.aol.com/dambalah/seinfeld/index.htm

Now for the more serious considerations of this class, read more about good writing.

Introductions and conclusions: read and study the following information about introductory paragraphs in essay writing. You will be using one of these or two or more in combination to write the introductory paragraph of future assignments.

Introductory Techniques: The beginning of a theme, critical analysis, or term paper has only one purpose: the orientation of the reader. To achieve that end the introductory matter always helps the reader understand

• the significance of the content
  
• what the general approach to the material will be
  
• what the main point, the thesis, is

The introduction to a typical college essay is usually only one paragraph in length, but for longer papers the introduction may also be longer, perhaps even several paragraphs. Many writers find that the first several sentences of the paper are the hardest to write because it is difficult to think of an appropriate way to lead into the subject. The following suggestions will make this task easier. Some of the introductory techniques listed work better than others depending on the content of your paper, so choose with care.

Once you have determined the three elements mentioned above, read through this list of ways to begin and choose one which will work for your paper. Then write a lead in that draws your reader into the subject matter and gets your paper off to a good start. The thesis sentence of the paper is usually the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.

Introductory Techniques

1. Repetition of the title in the opening sentence. Repeating the title either word for word or as a paraphrase is NOT redundant. Never refer obliquely to the title by saying, This subject ..., or I am going to tell you about .... Using this introductory technique will build only a single sentence, not a developed paragraph.
2. A setting or framework within which the subject will develop; giving background information; setting up a situation. This is one of the most useful of the introductory techniques. You can provide information that your reader needs in order to understand your paper, or you may want to bring him up to date on pertinent information related to your subject. This technique involves several sentences and thus helps to build a solid introduction.
3. A summary or outline paragraph enumerating the main divisions to be discussed. This technique is not very original, but it does get the job done. If you begin this way, be sure to find another way to end the paper.
4. A significant or startling statement. This technique is commonly called the attention grabber. Many people believe that the primary purpose of the opening lines is to grab the attention of the reader by shocking or surprising him, and this technique does just that. However, remember that your attention grabber must be related to your content and that this is not necessarily the best way to begin every paper!
5. A timely news event or seasonal occurrence. One of these is a nice way to begin a paper if the event or occurrence is related to your subject matter! Not all topics lend themselves to this kind of beginning, but if you think carefully, most topics can be related to some current news event.
6. Reference to an historical event. This opening gives your paper a nice scholarly touch. The trick is to come up with an event from history that is suitable. If you have to stretch your idea too for or if you donšt know much about history, try another option!
7. An illustrative incident or anecdote. Telling a little story that illustrates your main idea may be one of the most popular introductory techniques. In a formal assignment like a term paper, try to avoid using a personal anecdote.
8. Reference to people--contemporary or historical, prominent or unknown. Another very popular way to begin, this approach overlaps to a certain extent with reference to history and anecdotes--which is perfectly all right.
9. Directly or indirectly quoted material . If you have done research on your subject, you may have run across a quotation which perfectly suits your paper and is an ideal way to begin. Use it! A brief discussion of the quotation will lead nicely into the rest of your introduction. You may be able to find some help in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations.
10. Posing a problem or asking a question. This technique tempts the writer to delay the thesis until the final paragraph. If you use one of these approaches, do be sure that the thesis is stated in the introductory paragraph!

    And now a word about concluding paragraphs: many of the above techniques may also be used to conclude a paper although repeating the same technique at the end may sound redundant. As you begin your conclusion, reread the introductory paragraph and consider what kind of wording would help to bring all your ideas together. Perhaps a reference to the introductory ideas is all that is necessary, an echo of what you stated earlier. Be sure to leave the reader with the feeling of completion and certainty about the main idea stated in your thesis.

    The following sample introductory paragraph provides background information.

    The American Bald Eagle: A Symbol of Power

    The keen eyesight, long broad wings, and strong, soaring flight have given the American bald eagle the reputation of being free and proud. The eagle is known as the king of birds because of the strength and bravery present in his nature. In 1782 the bald eagle was adopted to serve as the Great Seal of the United States. As a symbol of power and freedom the American bald eagle became the national bird. Our national bird has given us over two hundred years of pride, but it is now being brought to the verge of extinction through the activities of man. This senseless slaughtering must be stopped before our symbol of power and freedom is a token of the past.

    Assignment: Rewrite of introductory paragraph of your first paper.
    Reread the introductory paragraph. You can make this paragraph more useful and complete by referring to the various introductory devices described above. Choose one that is appropriate for your content, and then rewrite the entire paragraph making significant changes and improvements. This completed assignment should be at least six sentences in length. The final sentence of the introductory paragraph will probably be your thesis sentence unless you decide to place it elsewhere in the introductory paragraph. At the end of your new introduction, please write out the name of the introductory technique you used.

     

    Introducing Quotations Assignment: Use quotations in your writing. Study pages 687-688  in your textbook, paying special attention to introducing quotations and useful verbs for introducing quotations. When you include a direct quotation in your writing, weave it into your text using the author's name, the title of the work and/or some brief information about the writer's credentials. In Eng. 101 you are not required to cite page numbers or write a works cited. Strive for variety in the introduction of quotations, avoiding repetition of So-and-So says, "...." You will find one good example at the top of page 688 in the handbook. Following are three additional examples:

    • In his famous adventure story Kon Tiki, Thor Heyerdahl writes, "We of the twentieth century still treat the ocean as the endless, bottomless pit it was considered in medieval times."
    • Thor Heyerdahl, the well known oceanographer, warns us that the world's oceans are no longer "the endless, bottomless pit" that we once believed them to be.
    • " We of the twentieth century, " Heyerdahl insists in Kon Tiki, "still treat the ocean as the endless, bottomless pit it was considered in medieval times."

    Revise the following information and quotations in a variety of ways that would be appropriate for a course paper. Keep in mind the examples above, but do not simply reproduce them. Also keep in mind the list of verbs for introducing quotations in the handbook. .

    1. Quotation by Harry Truman in Merle Miller's book Plain Speaking: "If we had had to invade Japan, half a million soldiers on both sides would have been killed."
    2. Quotation by Jonah Maxwell in his book Style: "True Conradian style was, like certain other great styles, achieved through the disciplining of initial excess."
    3. Quotation by movie critic James Hemple in the Los Angeles Times: "Kris Kristofferson embodies the sort of nonviolent sexuality and relaxed intimacy also communicated by John Voight in Coming Home."
    4. Quotation by James Clivedon from his article, "A New Ideal of Masculinity" in The New Yorker: "One culture often disagrees with another about what different sexual symbols actually mean."
    5. Quotation by Helen Brooks in her book New Communications: "The telephone created a new habit of mind--a habit of tenseness and alertness."
       

    Comments to C. Richardson Last Revised 12/06/98 Metro Home Page Academic Division Page