Complete the Comparison and Contrasting Paragraphs for your Research Paper based on the same thesis that you have used for your expository and argument paragraphs submissions.
This means that you should add the explanation and closing sentences to the Compare and Contrast Paragraphs Outline that you already should have submitted (see the “Assignments Essay” posting titled “Week 11 Class 1 / “Compare and Contrast Outline” / “Asynchronous” Assignment 04-23-24″ if you are confused about which assignment you are finishing).
Submit these completed paragraphs through the turnitin.com link at the bottom of this “Assignments” “Essay” page by next Monday
-Overall Research Paper Structure and Content.
Introduction Par. #1
Begins with a larger idea meant to grab the attention of the audience or reader
Uses the funnel technique to first offer a relative or related example of the first line of the paper and transition to explanation sentences.
The sentences following the second sentence of the introduction paragraph explain the importance of the first sentence and its value relative to the research paper topic.
The topic show up in the last sentence of the introduction.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Expository paragraphs Par. #2-3-4-5
Each paragraph is Effective Paragraph Model / x8 sentence / Topic sentence exposes one term of the Thesis (s/v/o/phrase).
Uses one or all of the (x4) ways to become and expert to expose or explain the terms per paragraph.
Specific example quotations (x2) or typical paraphrase examples offer further detail about each exposed term
Explanation sentences of connection and value (x4 – two per quote-Ex) explain how and why the term (word of the s+v+o+phrase thesis) matters
Closing sentence connects information between paragraphs in support of thesis.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Argument Con Par. #6-7-8-9
Effective Paragraph Model / x8 sentence / Topic sentence points out the negatives that may be said about the Thesis
Specific example quotations (x2) or typical paraphrase examples
Explanation sentences of connection and value (x4 – two per quote-Ex)
Closing sentences connect arguments between paragraphs in opposition to thesis.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Argument Pro Par. #10-11-12-13
Effective Paragraph Model / x8 sentence / Topic sentence points out the positives that support the Thesis
Specific example quotations (x2) or typical paraphrase examples
Explanation sentences of connection and value (x4 – two per quote-Ex)
Closing sentences connect arguments between paragraphs in opposition to thesis.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Comparison and Contrasting Par. #14-15-16-17
Effective Paragraph Model / x8 – x16 sentences
Length and number of sentence depend on the writer’s choice to write more or less depending on what is necessary to prove the thesis.
Topic sentence points out that the positives are more powerful than the negatives that may be said about the Thesis
Specific example quotations (x2 – x4) or typical paraphrase examples that show the strength of the pro argument over the con argument
Explanation sentences of connection and value (x4 – x8 – two per quote-Ex)
Closing sentences connect paragraphs in support of pro thesis arguments
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion Par. #18 – 19
These paragraphs include the thesis and a “call to action” statement.
This will be discussed during the next “live” class session.
At this point, the only part of the information listed here that we have not covered is the introduction and conclusion paragraphs.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The introduction to your essay is everything.
Just like the introduction to a movie, or a television show, the introduction to an essay grabs the reader’s attention, draws in the audience, and makes them want more.
It also creates a memory…they remember your words when you make them count.
Our goal is to learn how to complete this task in writing.
So let’s first look at a basic outline to an introduction paragraph in structure and content for an essay.
From a structure standpoint, we can think about the different sentence types in the normal effective paragraph.
We can pull structure and content from the effective paragraph model by way of sentence type and use it in the Introduction paragraph.
The basic structure and the amount of sentences of an introduction paragraph are very flexible.
It is up to you how many sentences you write.
In fact, my only requirements for your current work is that you begin the paragraph with one of nine ways to do so, and that you end your introduction paragraph with a connection to the subject of the thesis statement of your paper.
Let me say this a different way.
The last sentence of the introduction paragraph is not your thesis.
It is a statement that introduces the topic of the whole paper.
Most closely related to the subject of the s+v+o+phrase of the thesis statement
I will note each of the nine ways to start the first sentence of your introduction paragraph in just a moment.
Let’s first look at a possible outline of your introduction paragraph.
Sentence #1 One of nine ways to begin the essay (to be noted shortly)
Sentence #2 Example in the form of specific quotation, typical paraphrase, or hypothetical narrative.
Sentence #3 Explanation of the connection between the opening sentence (sent #1 – One of nine possible openings) and the example you provided to get the reader interested.
Sentence #4 Additional explanation of the connection between the opening sentence (sent #1 – One of nine possible openings) and the example you provided to get the reader interested.
Sentence #5 Explanation of the value of these related sentences (Why does it matter? Why should the reader find the information important or valuable?).
Sentence #6 Additional explanation of the value of these related sentences (Why does it matter? Why should the reader find the information important or valuable?).
Sentence #7 Transition from explaining the value of argument to the argument itself by noting how the argument directly reaches (affects) the reader.
Sentence #8 Reference to the topic of the essay by introducing the “subject” or “s” of the thesis statement (main argument) for the essay.
Like I stated earlier…
This paragraph is easily changed.
The structure is not fixed.
The structure should change based upon how much information the writer wants to include, or how much information it takes to get the interest of the reader.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The first sentence of your introduction paragraph should be one of several possible openings.
We then transition the “big idea” in the first sentence through example and then explanations until we get to the last sentence of the paragraph…our “s” of the s+v+o+phrase thesis statement.
Please read along, as I post the possible options for this first sentence of the introduction paragraph, as is should be the first sentence of the essay.
Introduction to an Essay – Potential Openings
Clarify the subject about which you are going to write.
This means that you will explain that the paper will focus on one aspect of an issue rather than other aspects of the issue.
State your position on the subject you have chosen.
This means leave no question for your reader about what your essay is devoted.
In other words, state a line of reasoning that will lead the reader through an essay that proves a point.
Relate your topic to something current or well known.
You could use statistics to emphasize a familiar statement.
Such information should be less than half the paragraph.
In other words, the introduction paragraph needs to focus more on the subject of the essay than the opening statement.
Challenge some generally held assumption about your topic.
Society, or the average person may hold some traditional perspective or view about your subject.
Include the traditional view and your own contradictory point.
Show something paradoxical about the material you will present.
In other words, present the paradox of a certain belief versus proven facts about the belief (ghosts / scientific fact).
Use a brief quotation (not recommended if the second sentence is also a quotation).
If you can find one that connects or one that is provocative or that makes a general statement about your subject then you can use it to start the paper.
Again…I do not recommend this.
State some striking facts or statistics you have discovered about your topic.
Try to find something that might be startling for reasons besides number.
Place your topic in time by giving some historical or chronological information.
Find information that encompasses the background of current news, so the beginning of the research paper offers perspective.
Give a brief description or background resume of some person or event of significance to your topic.
Perhaps establish the identity of the author of an important piece of research material.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Let’s talk about what not to do with the first sentence of the introduction paragraph.
Don’t repeat the title of the paper.
Yes, your paper needs a title.
Don’t tell what you propose to do in the paper.
Focus on doing it by writing a great essay.
Don’t open the essay with the thesis statement as the first line.
If someone disagrees, you have lost them as a reader
Don’t ask a question
No one will answer you.
Don’t give a dictionary definition.
I already own a dictionary…and I have Google.
Don’t write a cute or story oriented opening
Our stories usually only mater to ourselves…no offense! (that’s what my teacher wrote for the lecture notes)
