English 101 – Freshman Composition: Assignment #4
Focus: Editing and Proofreading
Pre-draft: Exercise A –“The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions”
Lesson: Learning to develop effective introductions
Materials:
- “The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions” handout
- Copy of student essay with introduction deleted (I have copies of this but I don’t know how to put a copy on the computer)
In class discussion
Homework due: ______
Directions (for the teacher):
1. Students will put one of the texts out of their binders and read the introduction, writing down qualities that they find within the writing. We will briefly discuss these qualities and write them on the board.
2. Students will read the example of a student essay, marking each time they see a new topic being discussed. As a class we will write each of these topics on the board.
3. The students will then use these topics as well we the writerly qualities we discussed earlier to create their own introduction for this student. We will go over a few of these examples.
4. Then we will look at an example of an introduction that needs revision and discussing certain characteristics of the example that writers should avoid.
5. After going over the ideas for writing an introduction, we will answer the questions pertaining to the importance of introductions on the third worksheet. This lesson will prepare them for Assignment #4.
6. Their homework will be to revise their introduction and bring it to the next class meeting.
English 101 – Freshman Composition: Assignment #4
Focus: Editing and Proofreading
Pre-draft: Exercise A –“The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions”
Lesson: Learning to develop effective introductions
Materials:
- “The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions” handout
- Copy of student essay with introduction deleted (I have copies of this but I don’t know how to put a copy on the computer)
In class discussion
Rationale: You have just finished Assignment #3 – Congrats! Now we will begin to revise one of your essays from Assignment #1 or #2 a second time.
Directions:
Part 1 – Take out one of the texts from the Assignment of the essay you are revising and reread the introduction, making note of the qualities present within that author’s writing. As we discuss these qualities as a class, write them down in the space provided.
Qualities of an IntroductionEnglish 101 – Freshman Composition: Assignment #4
Focus: Editing and Proofreading
Pre-draft: Exercise A –“The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions”
Lesson: Learning to develop effective introductions
Materials:
- “The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions” handout
- Copy of student essay with introduction deleted (I have copies of this but I don’t know how to put a copy on the computer)
In class discussion
Directions:
Part 2 – As we read the essay example aloud, mark each time you notice a new topic being introduced. After we read the whole essay, we will discuss these topics as a class. Copy the notes on the board onto this handout.
English 101 – Freshman Composition: Assignment #4
Focus: Editing and Proofreading
Pre-draft: Exercise A –“The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions”
Lesson: Learning to develop effective introductions
Materials:
- “The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions” handout
- Copy of student essay with introduction deleted
In class discussion
Directions:
Part 3 – We will go over this handout as a class, discussing the importance of introductions and the qualities that are characteristic of an effective introduction. We will also go over an example of an introduction that needs work (written by me) to help us discuss what should be avoided when writing our introductions.
Why are introductions so important?
What moves should I be making when writing my introduction?
1.)
2.)
3.)
Example of an Introduction: What is expertise? How does one become an expert? Webster’s Dictionary defines expertise as “expert skill or knowledge; expertness; know-how”. I think expertise is when you are the best at a particular job. Anyone can be an expert. In my essay I will show you how it takes confidence and practice to become an expert. I will first discuss confidence and then, through my anecdote, explain how my practice helped me to acquire having expertise in marksmanship.
What should I avoid when writing my introduction?
1.)
2.)
3.)
English 101 – Freshman Composition: Assignment #4
Focus: Editing and Proofreading
Pre-draft: Exercise A –“The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions”
Lesson: Learning to develop effective introductions
Materials:
- “The Lay of the Land - Preparing for the Big Dig: Developing Introductions” handout
- Copy of student essay with introduction deleted
Due Date: ______to be handed in and commented on.
Adapting the lesson for our own writing:
Using the handouts and models we discussed in class, rewrite the introduction (on a separate sheet of paper) from the essay you are revising for Assignment #4. Remember the qualities needed to produce an effective introduction.
Ideas on how to go about writing introductions:
1. Write your introduction last: Think about it - Does it make sense to write an entire essay based only on one sentence or one sentence off of an entire essay? Reread your Assignment #4 essay, jotting down the key topics of your argument. Using the model of the sample essay we did in class as a guide, rewrite your introduction based on what your essay is actually about.
2. Don't be afraid to change/rewrite your introduction completely: Sometimes this is necessary. The introduction is the first glimpse the reader gets of your essay. If you do not think the introduction is effective enough, just change it!
3.) Spend time thinking about the essay topic and how you want to go about responding to it: Reread the essay topic and then reread your essay (looking closely at the introduction). Are you answering the essay prompt?
4.) Be the reader: Read through your introduction as if you were the reader (or, get one of your friends or relatives to do this for you). If they can’t tell what your essay is about after the introduction, some major changes may be in order.