PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION 1

Worksheet 1: What is an introductory paragraph?

 

Exercise 1

Read the paragraph.

This is the introductory paragraph for an essay.

What is the title of the essay?

a The oldest person in your family

b Lucky people

c A special family member

 

Highlight the correct information about introductory paragraphs.

 

Family is the most important thing in the world. It was difficult to choose a family member to write about because they are all very special. In the end, I decided to tell you about the oldest member of my family, my grandfather. First, I will tell you about his life in the past, then about my life with him now.

 

An introductory paragraph:

 

⬤ is in the middle of the essay.

⬤ is at the start of the essay.

⬤ tells the reader what you will write about in the essay.

⬤ tells the reader how you will organize your ideas.

⬤ gives examples to support your ideas.

⬤ explains and gives small details.

⬤ should make the reader interested in reading the essay.

⬤ should tell the reader everything they need to know so thev don't need to read the essay.

*Please refer to the attached file.

You are writing a rough draft for the essay part 1,

This writing practice will focus on

Steps *1 and *2 below:

___________________

~

FIVE STEPS OF WRITING~*1- Prewrite*2-Draft 3- Revise 4- Edit/Proofread 5- Publish

Copyright © Acellus Corporation. All Rights Reserved. www.acellus.com

Expository Essay Part 1

Student Resource

EXPOSITORY ESSAY

– explains, points out

-

Used in articles, essays, exam questions

- Used to report on research

- Used to share information, give directions

REVIEW:

Elements of Expository Essay:

Thesis

–

Thesis Statement states topic, introduces supporting points

Structure

–

- Organization - often by Cause/Effect, Problem/Solution, Compare/Contrast

- Supporting paragraphs (at least one per supporting point)

- Use of formatting, graphics, and multi-media where appropriate

- Conclusion - relates to thesis and pulls supporting points together

Style

–

- Formal tone - complete sentences; conventional construction and language

- Active voice

Assignment:

Complete the first

two

steps in writing an Expository Essay.

You can use the sample writing prompt on Page 3 or choose a topic based on stories/articles of

your choosing. Page 3 also gives a sample thesis and outline based on the writing prompt. If

writing on your own topic and texts, choose three texts from different genres – e.g., short story,

science fiction, poetry, memoir, informational text, etc.

Step 1)

Prewrite

– Write your thesis statement.

– Determine the structure and organization (e.g., compare/contrast).

– Make an Outline (should include the thesis statement plus a list of

supporting points and a conclusion).

Step 2)

Draft

– Follow your Outline.

– Consider the audience's knowledge of and experience with the topic.

– Give concrete examples (each supporting point should be at least one

paragraph).

– Relate each point back to the thesis statement.

– Draw a conclusion that relates to the thesis statement and ties the

supporting points together.

Copyright © Acellus Corporation. All Rights Reserved. www.acellus.com

Expository Essay Part 1

Student Resource

EXPOSITORY ESSAY - SAMPLE THESIS AND OUTLINE

WRITING PROMPT

:

Compare/contrast the authors' treatments of the theme of

taking

responsibility

in three different genres of text:

Short Story

–"Through the Tunnel,"

Science

Fiction

– "A Sound of Thunder," and

Informational Text

– "Quit blaming; take responsibility."

*

Thesis

:

Authors Lessing, Bradbury, and Gitomer, writing in three different textual genres,

each address the theme of taking responsibility by contrasting instances of responsible and

irresponsible behavior and drawing the conclusion of the benefits of taking responsibility.

*

Supporting paragraphs

– with formatting (subtitles):

1. Short Story

– Lessing ("Through the Tunnel") contrasts Jerry's irresponsible/ responsible

behavior and draws conclusion responsibility is best – Jerry feels better about himself.

- Irresponsible: Jerry tries to get attention, be accepted by other boys; wants to swim

through tunnel before ready (examples from story)

- Responsible: Jerry stops trying to please other boys; adopts his quest; trains and works

to be prepared (examples from story)

- Lessing draws unstated conclusion of benefits of taking responsibility

(contrasts Jerry's feelings before and after quest)

2. Science Fiction

– Bradbury ("A Sound of Thunder") contrasts Time Safari Inc.'s/ Eckels'

responsible/irresponsible behavior and graphically illustrates the devastating results of

irresponsibility.

- Irresponsible: Eckels' uncaring, irresponsible attitude (examples in story)

- Responsible: Time Safari's careful planning and preparation for the hunt

(examples

from story)

- Bradbury ends story showing dramatic impact of being irresponsible, implying the

benefits of responsibility

3. Informational Text

–

Gitomer ("Quit blaming; take responsibility") compares salespeople

with politicians in their tendency to avoid taking responsibility and contrasts that attitude with

suggestions on taking responsibility to achieve success.

- Irresponsible: Salespeople and politicians blame others for their failures

(specific examples from article)

- Responsible: Suggestions on how they can take responsibility by

studying failures and

making them successes (examples in article)

- Gitomer concludes that salespeople (and politicians) can achieve results

they seek by

overcoming obstacles and taking responsibility

*

Conclusion

:

Authors Lessing, Bradbury, and Gitomer, writing in three different textual

genres, each address the theme of taking responsibility by contrasting instances of responsible

and irresponsible behavior, concluding that taking responsibility brings the best r

This writing practice will focus on

Steps *1 and *2 below:

___________________

~

FIVE STEPS OF WRITING ~* 1-Prewrite* 2- Draft 3- Revise\ 4- Edit/Proofread 5- Publish

Copyright © Acellus Corporation. All Rights Reserved. www.acellus.com

Expository Essay Part 1

Student Resource

EXPOSITORY ESSAY

– explains, points out

-

Used in articles, essays, exam questions

- Used to report on research

- Used to share information, give directions

REVIEW:

Elements of Expository Essay:

Thesis

–

Thesis Statement states topic, introduces supporting points

Structure

–

- Organization - often by Cause/Effect, Problem/Solution, Compare/Contrast

- Supporting paragraphs (at least one per supporting point)

- Use of formatting, graphics, and multi-media where appropriate

- Conclusion - relates to thesis and pulls supporting points together

Style

–

- Formal tone - complete sentences; conventional construction and language

- Active voice

Assignment:

Complete the first

two

steps in writing an Expository Essay.

You can use the sample writing prompt on Page 3 or choose a topic based on stories/articles of

your choosing. Page 3 also gives a sample thesis and outline based on the writing prompt. If

writing on your own topic and texts, choose three texts from different genres – e.g., short story,

science fiction, poetry, memoir, informational text, etc.

Step 1)

Prewrite

– Write your thesis statement.

– Determine the structure and organization (e.g., compare/contrast).

– Make an Outline (should include the thesis statement plus a list of

supporting points and a conclusion).

Step 2)

Draft

– Follow your Outline.

– Consider the audience's knowledge of and experience with the topic.

– Give concrete examples (each supporting point should be at least one

paragraph).

– Relate each point back to the thesis statement.

– Draw a conclusion that relates to the thesis statement and ties the

supporting points together.

Copyright © Acellus Corporation. All Rights Reserved. www.acellus.com

Expository Essay Part 1

Student Resource

EXPOSITORY ESSAY - SAMPLE THESIS AND OUTLINE

WRITING PROMPT

:

Compare/contrast the authors' treatments of the theme of

taking

responsibility

in three different genres of text:

Short Story

–"Through the Tunnel,"

Science

Fiction

– "A Sound of Thunder," and

Informational Text

– "Quit blaming; take responsibility."

*

Thesis

:

Authors Lessing, Bradbury, and Gitomer, writing in three different textual genres,

each address the theme of taking responsibility by contrasting instances of responsible and

irresponsible behavior and drawing the conclusion of the benefits of taking responsibility.

*

Supporting paragraphs

– with formatting (subtitles):

1. Short Story

– Lessing ("Through the Tunnel") contrasts Jerry's irresponsible/ responsible

behavior and draws conclusion responsibility is best – Jerry feels better about himself.

- Irresponsible: Jerry tries to get attention, be accepted by other boys; wants to swim

through tunnel before ready (examples from story)

- Responsible: Jerry stops trying to please other boys; adopts his quest; trains and works

to be prepared (examples from story)

- Lessing draws unstated conclusion of benefits of taking responsibility

(contrasts Jerry's feelings before and after quest)

2. Science Fiction

– Bradbury ("A Sound of Thunder") contrasts Time Safari Inc.'s/ Eckels'

responsible/irresponsible behavior and graphically illustrates the devastating results of

irresponsibility.

- Irresponsible: Eckels' uncaring, irresponsible attitude (examples in story)

- Responsible: Time Safari's careful planning and preparation for the hunt

(examples

from story)

- Bradbury ends story showing dramatic impact of being irresponsible, implying the

benefits of responsibility

3. Informational Text

–

Gitomer ("Quit blaming; take responsibility") compares salespeople

with politicians in their tendency to avoid taking responsibility and contrasts that attitude with

suggestions on taking responsibility to achieve success.

- Irresponsible: Salespeople and politicians blame others for their failures

(specific examples from article)

- Responsible: Suggestions on how they can take responsibility by

studying failures and

making them successes (examples in article)

- Gitomer concludes that salespeople (and politicians) can achieve results

they seek by

overcoming obstacles and taking responsibility

*

Conclusion

:

Authors Lessing, Bradbury, and Gitomer, writing in three different textual

genres, each address the theme of taking responsibility by contrasting instances of responsible

and irresponsible behavior, concluding that taking responsibility brings the best r