WRITING WORKSHOP 1

WRITING AN INTRODUCTORY AND CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

CONTENTS

WHAT’S AN ESSAY?

PARTS OF AN ESSAY

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD INTRODUCTORY

PARAGRAPH

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD CONCLUDING

PARAGRAPH
WHAT’S AN ESSAY?
“ An essay is a piece of writing on a
single or specific subject written to
inform or persuade an audience”
ANALYZING THE DEFINTION
1) It is a piece of writing.
A. Respect rules for academic writing
B. Aim for unity, coherence & cohesion.
C. Use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
2) It is about a single or specific subject.
Avoid getting ‘sidetracked’ –that is do not get distracted
writing about something that is not related to the topic.
ANALYZING THE DEFINTION
3. Written to inform or persuade
Your main purpose is to share something with or
convince your audience.

4. Written for an audience

Always think in terms of the reader.

As a reader, what do
you expect to find in
the first paragraph?
PARTS OF AN ESSAY
TASK
Instructions

1. Read the following paragraphs.

2. Arrange them in the correct order.
3. Label the paragraphs – i.e., introductory paragraph,
paragraph 1, paragraph 2, concluding paragraph.
4. Work with a partner to compare your responses.
 1

4
OPINION ESSAY

introductory paragraph

paragraph 1

paragraph 2

concluding paragraph
Review (English V): Thesis statement

Which of the following is the best thesis statement for the

opinion essay we just read? Why? Work in paris.

a. It’s important that children work at home.

b. It’s important for children to have a full-time job.
c. It’s important that young people learn to earn money
early on in life rather than being given pocket money.
 HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY – BASIC
STRUCTURE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1KbANXoWlo

Watch the video and take notes.

Compare your notes with a partner.
 A GOOD PARAGRAPH HAS…

• Unity
• Discusses only one main idea from beginning to end on
the same paragraph.
• Coherence
• Shows the connection between the sentences in the
paragraph.
• Cohesion
• Connects sentences and paragraphs using
• Linking words ● Pronouns
• Articles ● Synonyms
Example of a Coherent Paragraph

Organized by space
Task: Which paragraph has better coherence? Why?
 Paragraph 2 has better coherence? Why?

It is organized
by ORDER OF
IMPORTANCE.
The importance of transitions
LINKING WORDS / EXPRESSIONS (1)
LINKING WORDS / EXPRESSIONS (2)
LINKING WORDS / EXPRESSIONS (3)
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
 The Introductory Paragraph

Work with a partner.

What does the picture

suggest?
Is there any association
with the notion of
“introductory paragraph”?
Discuss your ideas with a
partner.
 How to Write an Introductory Paragraph
The introduction is the door to the whole essay outline. It
must be convincing enough to get the attention of the
readers.

Guidelines
1. Grab the reader’s attention with a “hook” such as an
interesting fact, personal story or a question.
2. Present the major ideas of the essay.
3. Write the thesis (last sentence of your paragraph).
 HOOK 1

INTRODUCTION TOPICS 2

THESIS 3
WATCH THE VIDEO AND TAKE NOTES

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/7645-write-an-introductory-
paragraph-for-an-argumentative-essay/

How do I structure an
introductory
paragraph?
OUTLINE
 INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH - CHECKLIST

Is the main idea stated

clearly? √
Is the introductory paragraph
interesting? Does it make the reader √
want to keep on reading?
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
The Concluding Paragraph
The conclusion is the last part of the essay, and
should:

1. Summarize your thesis statement and main

points.
2. Reflect on what you have learned.
3. Leave your reader wondering.
 THESIS

T1
SUMMARIZE
T2
CONCLUSION REFLECT
T3
LEAVE READER
WONDERING
WATCH THE VIDEO AND TAKE NOTES

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/7283-write-a-conclusion-to-an-
informational-text-by-recapping-and-reflecting/

How do I structure a
concluding paragraph?
OUTLINE
 CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH - CHECKLIST

Is the main idea of the essay restated in

different words? √
Are the supporting ideas summarized briefly
and clearly? √
Is the concluding paragraph interesting? Does
it leave an impression on the reader? √
 REFERENCES

May, P. (2014). Compact First (Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Tims N., Greenwood A., Redston C., & Cunningham G. (2013). face2face Upper Intermediate Student's
Book (Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Tims N., Greenwood A., Redston C., & Cunningham G. (2013). face2face Upper Intermediate Self-
study DVD ROM (Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Thank you