Introductions and Conclusions

1. IntroductionsandConclusions March 28th and 29th

2. Introductions • To catch the reader’s interest and indicate the subject of the paper • Should be a “roadmap” for the reader • Acts as a doorway to the more involved analysis and evidence that you will provide later- doesn’t give it all away • Writing it last helps since you have already developed your ideas

3. Parts of an Introduction • The “hook”: an attention-grabbing strategy that engages the reader • Bridge: a group of sentences that smoothly shifts the focus of the writing from the hook to the MAIN TOPIC of the essay • Thesis Statement

4. The “hook” • DO NOT USE: • A fact or statistic, quotation, or question • DO USE: • Personal story • Memorable anecdote • Metaphor • Unexpected claim • Historical reference

5. Identity theft is not a new crime. Throughout history, unscrupulous individuals have pretended to be people they are not, often with the goal of political, social, or financial gain. With the right appearance and demeanor, people have falsely presented themselves as kings and bishops. Today, in our information age, identity theft is a far more prevalent problem. With access to names, Social Security numbers, and other personal information, thieves are able to steal identities, leaving the victims struggling to clear their good names. Identity theft is a serious problem that claims millions of innocent victims, and the government must implement better regulations to help put an end to this crime. Identify the hook, bridge, and thesis. What type of hook is being used? What is their argument? What is their call to action or “so what” within their thesis?

6. Joe Stevens was finally ready to purchase a home. He spent years putting money into a savings account, paid off his credit cards, and diligently paid every bill on time. Confident of his good credit rating, Joe visited the bank to inquire about a mortgage, but he discovered startling information: Joe defaulted on a home loan, had $40,000 in credit card debt, and had a car repossessed for lack of payment. Joe Stevens, like many Americans, is a victim of identity theft. Instead of preparing to move into a new home, Joe began the long journey to restore his good name and to reclaim his identity. Identity theft is a serious problem that claims millions of innocent victims, and the government must implement better regulations to help put an end to this crime. Identify the hook, bridge, and thesis. What type of hook is being used? What is their argument? What is their call to action or “so what” within their thesis?

7. Write Your Own Mimic the example introductions that we just viewed and write your own introduction for your research essay- 10 minutes Don’t forget: • Hook • Bridge • Thesis

8. Conclusions • Serves as a bridge out of the paper, back into the reader’s daily lives • Should help readers see why your analysis and argument matters to them • Have the last word • Have the final say on the issues you have raised and demonstrate the importance of your argument • Call to action • Give the reader something to take away that will help them see differently or appreciate your topic

9. Conclusions • Return to common themes from your introduction to bring your argument full circle • Synthesize, don’t summarize • Include a brief summary of the main points, but don’t repeat yourself, show how examples and support fit together • Avoid using overused phrases such as, “in conclusion” or “in summary”

10. So What? • Conclusions should not be a repetition of the same points you have already made • Do not copy and paste sentences from your body paragraphs! • Go through every sentence of your conclusion and ask yourself “So what? Why should anybody care?” • Make sure you can answer that question for every part of your conclusion

11. Children’s brain development is impacted by poverty and their parents nurturing skills, but can be prevented through parenting programs. The insane circumstances of poverty then combined with insufficient parenting skills are breeding ground for brain complications. If parents can learn how to create a safe and supportive environment in their home, it could make living with a low income less strenuous. Prevention programs would allow childrens’ brains to develop healthily, without mental illness or deficiencies in important sectors of the brain.If we can help decrease the negative effects on the brain on children in poverty, we could change our country’s health and well being for the better. What is the author arguing? What is their “so what” for the reader?

12. The psychological effects on impoverished adults correlate with the socio-economic deficiency they face and can discourage the social development of their children. Abraham Lincoln once said, “I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.” The things people believe they cannot change often impeded their mentality. These things include: poverty will always be an issue, social classes cannot mesh, and the condition of the human psyche is entirely personal. This is when the light that every human possesses goes dark. Martha Farrah, a neuroscientist and the director of Penn’s Center for Neuroscience and Society, says that, “we’re so segregated by class, we don’t even realize we’re segregated because we don’t know what life is like just two miles north of here” (Landau). Through finding a common ground and refusing to classify others based on assumptions, social barriers can be eliminated. Poverty and prosperity can come together to create a big picture of selflessness and parity. This power lies in the hands of the youth. They have the mind to dream of a connected society without experiencing the daily disconnections adults subconsciously create. Consider taking the chance to change the world with the light of youthful spirit-because they are always taught to play fair. It is time that we take the advice from adolescents and be fair to one another. What is the author arguing? What is their “so what” for the reader?

13. Write Your Own Mimic the example conclusions that we just viewed and write your own introduction for your research essay- 10 minutes Don’t forget: • Synthesize, don’t summarize • Ask “so what?” • Propose a call to action