Lesson Details

Intro Workshop

2014-2015

Principles of English 1, fall 2014

Date

Sept. 24, 2014

Additional Info
Grammar today: sentence parts AND clauses & sentence types

the four men worked hard to finish the job their boss gave them a large bonus

Reminder: Your homework last night was to do the first vocab activity, Completing the Sentence. Your homework tonight is to the the Synonyms and Antonyms activities. We will grade all activities at the start of class tomorrow.

Today, then, we will start working on the introductory paragraphs for our argument essay. Let's analyze my example to get us started.

Please take out a sheet of paper and start drafting the introduction for your own argument topic. Keep the following in mind as you write:

  • We will workshop your introductions as a full class. Yes, you will have to read your introduction out loud.
  • Think about your hook. How can you shock your reader or otherwise compel your reader to want to keep reading? A crazy fact? An anecdote? An emotional appeal? A rhetorical question? (use that last one sparingly)
  • Your introduction is NOT necessarily one paragraph. Take as much space as you feel you need. (Refer to the Cat Bill.)
  • Your introduction should have "introductory material," that is, any material that you think is necessary to set the stage for your formal argument and warm up your audience to your topic and your point of view.
  • Your introduction must have your claim. (Refer to your notes from last week to refresh your memory on writing a claim.)

You will have about 25 minutes to write. Think before you write! Be a critical writer and really think about what will sound the best and be the best.

We will begin our workshop after 25 minutes, and we will conclude the workshop tomorrow.

Workshopping guidelines:
  • You are required to read your introduction
  • You are required to give meaningful feedback to at least FIVE people. I will keep a tally. You will receive a grade for participating.
  • Comments should be content-based.
  • Comments should use academic terminology (hook, reasons, thesis, argument, pathos, ethos, logos, etc).
  •  Use "I" statements, not "you" statements.