The Introductory Paragraph

The introductory paragraph can be tricky to write. Why? Because you really have to correctly introduce the tone and informational content so the reader will understand what you are writing about, why you are writing about it, and, finally, why (in an indirect way) the reader should care about what you are presenting. That's a lot of pressure!

What adds to the difficulty of writing a great intro paragraph is the claim statement--the backbone or the why of your paper. Without a good claim statement (which is also the main claim) to direct and to uphold the paper, your paper will appear to be nothing more than an attempt to connect seemingly unrelated ideas together. The main claim is a major part of the glue that holds your paper together, as the spine is a major part of the glue that holds the body together.

Accordingly, the introductory paragraph has three components:

1. The hook, or attention grabber. The quote, story, question, etc. that draws the reader into your topic.
2. The transition. The bridge that ties together the hook and the claim statement. In other words, the transition explains HOW the hook is related to the claim statement.
3. The claim statement--your position/argument. The claim statement tells the reader what the paper is going to be about, and why the paper is being written. In other words, the claim statement puts forth your argument which is why you are writing the essay. 

Getting the introductory paragraph right requires diligence, effort, and time. And, of course, solid knowledge about the topic you are presenting. I promise you that if you put in the work, your introductory paragraph will present the information you want to get across to the reader. To help you, I have an example of an introductory paragraph that is dealing with gun control and teachers (last year's current event topic)--click HERE to download it.

Questions? Email me. 

Argumentative Essay Topic for Macbeth

Collection 5 focuses on human ambition and our eternal quest for power. In his speech “Why Read Shakespeare?” Michael Mack argues that if you do not see yourself in Macbeth’s ambition, you are either misreading the play or misreading yourself. 

Review the texts in Collection 5, including the anchor, Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Then synthesize your ideas by writing an argument that explains how one aspect of any character in Macbeth represents a universal human trait.

LAST Reading Assignment for Macbeth!

Hello! Here is your last reading assignment for Macbeth, due Tuesday, February 9th:

• Read the rest of Act V

When you return to school on Tuesday, we will be peer-reviewing ALL your Cornell Notes. Be prepared!

Reading for Friday, Feb. 5th

We are entering into the final act of Macbeth! For Friday, read the rest of Act IV and scenes i- ii of Act V (pages 269-280).

Remember:

• Cornell Notes: as I have told you in class, the ONLY notes you are required to take from this point forward are those that relate to the three essential questions that directly relate to Macbeth. In other words, you are writing down quotes and any other information (situations, circumstances, decisions and actions of the characters, etc.) that helps you answer the essential questions.
• You must ask TWO level 2 or 3 questions for each scene. (If you have forgotten to do this in the past scenes, you'd better go back and add them to you notes.)

Reading for Wednesday, Feb. 3rd

Reading for Wednesday will be Act IV, scenes i - ii, which contains one of my favorite scenes -- "Double, double toil and trouble; /Fire burn, and cauldron bubble." Just picture the movie's presentation of the scene as you read it.

Please read this portion of the play carefully and analyze what is going on in relation to the essential questions. Macbeth has completely changed from who he was at the beginning of the play.

Happy reading, my little ducklings!