Purpose:
Write a draft of an introduction paragraph for your final paper. The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of an essay. The introduction paragraph should succinctly introduce the debate you are entering from the readings and should also contain your thesis or main claim.
Task:
Compose your introduction paragraph on a word processing program (e.g., Microsoft Word). Don’t compose directly in the discussion post, as it is easy to lose your work.
Start a new post in this discussion and copy and paste your introduction paragraph into the post.
Read the responses from your classmates, and upvote the three most highly-developed introduction paragraphs. When considering the most “developed” paragraphs, ask yourself:
Does the introduction paragraph make clear the existing conversation that your classmates have entered? Did you get lost?
Did the introduction paragraph lead to a thesis statement?
Is there enough “difference” in the “I Say” contribution, or does your classmate simply re-state or “mirror” the same points from the existing conversation?
Criteria for Success
Effective introduction paragraphs should employ a clear strategy to engage the reader and put the thesis in proper context, effectively introducing the audience to the topic/debate at hand.
