Writing Effective Introductions WebQuest

Introduction

This activity is designed to instruct students on the variety of methods available to use in the writing of an effective introduction and to provide examples of each of these methods as well as techniques to be avoided.

This activity meets the following Illinois State Goals in reading, writing and use of technology:

1.C.4e--3.A.4--3B4a--3.B.4b--3.B.4c--3.C.4a--3.C.4b--

The Task

Choose two of the following web sites.

Carefully read each of the selections on writing effective introductions.

You should take notes making a list of the variety of techniques for writing good introductions to use later. Pay close attention to the examples provided.

Compose an effective introductory paragraph based on the assignment given in the Process section.

Resources

Choose a topic from the cites below and read two selections related to the topic of writing effective introductions. Pay attention to the various examples of ways writers develop the introduction using these techniques and what should be avoided.

http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/writingintros.html Writing Effective Introductions

http://glory.gc.maricopa.edu/~mdinchak/eng101/intro.htm Writing Introductions and Conclusions (see Writing Intros only)

http://www.richmond.edu/~writing/wweb/intros.html Preparing to Write an Introduction

http://www.cstudies.ubc.ca/wc/workshop/tools/intro_p.htm Introductory Paragraphs: Beginnings (see only Tools for Beginning)

http://iws.ohiolink.edu/~sg-wsu/intropar.html Introductory Paragraphs

The Process

You have two class periods to select, read, and take notes on the selections.

You will have up to one additional class period to write your own introductory paragraph in class.

Make sure that you are prepared to write when you come to class on the following day.

The topic for your paragraph will be given to you by your individual teacher.

Learning Advice

Take time to organize your thoughts. Use your pre-writing skills!

How You Will Be Graded

The following rubric will be used to evaluate your paragraph. As you revise, make certain your paragraph does each of the following well to achieve the highest possible score. Each "yes" is worth 10 points; each "no" is worth 0 points. The total possible is 50 points.

WRITING EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTIONS RUBRIC

Student Name: _____________________________

Does the student begin with an effective attention getter suitable to the topic? Yes No

Does the student introduce the subject or provide background information? Yes No

Does the student stimulate the reader's interest? Yes No

Does the student use a transition to thesis? Yes No

Does the student state the writer's purpose in a clearly stated thesis at end of

the paragraph? Yes No

Modified from ThinkQuest Copyright 8/25/00 http://library.thinkquest.org/50058/rconc.html

This page written by SHS English Department
Last updated date. August 23, 2000