The second lecture in the First-Year Composition series; it addresses writing an effective introduction for a college-level essay. Recorded live on September 10, 2007.

1. Writing: the First Steps
Dr. Gerald Lucas

2. Writing: the First Steps
MLA Format
Title
Opening Sentence
Introduction
Thesis Statement

3. MLA Format
Hacker, pages 355-412

4. MLA Format
1” margins all around
Do not justify right
margin
12 point serif font —
double spaced
Title centered
1/2” right justified header: Lastname page#

5. Title
Required aspect of all essays

6. Title
Required aspect of all essays
Gets attention — never too long or vague

7. Title
Required aspect of all essays
Gets attention — never too long or vague
Informs of subject, purpose, and audience

8. Title
State a position — no questions

9. Title
State a position — no questions
Explicitly state subject — colon effective

10. Title
State a position — no questions
Explicitly state subject — colon effective
Imply audience, if possible

11. Title
State a position — no questions
Explicitly state subject — colon effective
Imply audience, if possible
Capitalize every noun and verb

12. Title
State a position — no questions
Explicitly state subject — colon effective
Imply audience, if possible
Capitalize every noun and verb
Do not use quotation marks

13. Title Examples
A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones
on the Road

14. Title Examples
A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones
on the Road
Star Trek’s Positive Vision: The Future of
Humanity

15. Title Examples
A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones
on the Road
Star Trek’s Positive Vision: The Future of
Humanity
Treasured Memories: Keeping a Hope Chest

16. Opening Sentence
Make a general statement

17. Opening Sentence
Make a general statement
Keep it short

18. Opening Sentence
Make a general statement
Keep it short
Interest your reader

19. Opening Sentence
Not a topic sentence

20. Opening Sentence
Not a topic sentence
Lures your reader into your essay

21. Opening Sentence
Not a topic sentence
Lures your reader into your essay
Excites but does not alienate

22. Opening Sentence
Not a topic sentence
Lures your reader into your essay
Excites but does not alienate
Offers only a taste: appetizer

23. Opening Sentence
Examples
Cell phones are often irritating, and
sometimes they are deadly.

24. Opening Sentence
Examples
Cell phones are often irritating, and
sometimes they are deadly.
Life in the twenty-third century is great.

25. Opening Sentence
Examples
Cell phones are often irritating, and
sometimes they are deadly.
Life in the twenty-third century is great.
Imagine a convenient and attractive place to
keep your dreams.

26. Introduction
Encompasses the first paragraph

27. Introduction
Encompasses the first paragraph
Moves from general to specific

28. Introduction
Encompasses the first paragraph
Moves from general to specific
Introduces subject

29. Introduction
Encompasses the first paragraph
Moves from general to specific
Introduces subject
Flows logically to thesis statement

30. Introduction
Encompasses the first paragraph
Moves from general to specific
Introduces subject
Flows logically to thesis statement
Difficult but most important

31. Introduction
Begins with opening sentence

32. Introduction
Begins with opening sentence
Gains detail and focus

33. Introduction
Begins with opening sentence
Gains detail and focus
Ends with thesis statement

34. Hourglass

35. Intro Examples
The pallet, the canvas, and the different
paints. They all contribute to my final
product: a landscape with towering trees and
majestic mountains, or maybe a simple sunset
casting the shadows of two lovers. These are
some of the ideas that I use while painting a
picture. Painting is very important to my life
because it allows me to relieve stress and
express my imagination.

36. Like many other college students, I have
many hobbies to help me relax when times
are hectic. They include video games,
drawing, hanging out, or just sleeping.
However, the hobby that is most important to
me and consumes most of my time is
drumming. I have been playing drums for
seven years and only death could make me
give it up. Drumming remains my favorite
hobby because it allows me to relieve stress
to build my confidence, and to express
myself.

37. Thesis Statement
Explicitly states the subject

38. Thesis Statement
Explicitly states the subject
Provides direction and structure

39. Thesis Statement
Explicitly states the subject
Provides direction and structure
Suggests scope

40. Thesis Statement
Explicitly states the subject
Provides direction and structure
Suggests scope
Makes a promise to the reader

41. Thesis Statement
Explicitly states the subject
Provides direction and structure
Suggests scope
Makes a promise to the reader
Clearly explains the why and how

42. Thesis Statement
Relates directly to topic

43. Thesis Statement
Relates directly to topic
Be sure you stay on topic

44. Thesis Statement
Relates directly to topic
Be sure you stay on topic
Be specific — narrow your scope as much as
possible

45. Thesis Statement
Relates directly to topic
Be sure you stay on topic
Be specific — narrow your scope as much as
possible
Suggest reasons for your subject
(purpose)

46. Thesis Statement
DO NOT

47. Thesis Statement
DO NOT
State Facts

48. Thesis Statement
DO NOT
State Facts
Ask Questions

49. Thesis Statement
DO NOT
State Facts
Ask Questions
Use Unsupportable Language

50. Thesis Statement
DO NOT
State Facts
Ask Questions
Use Unsupportable Language
Announce

51. Thesis Examples
Cell phone regulation is needed because
drivers using cell phones are seriously
impaired.

52. Thesis Examples
Cell phone regulation is needed because
drivers using cell phones are seriously
impaired.
Star Trek should not be cancelled because its
vision represents a positive view of humanity
built on science and logic.

53. Thesis Examples
Cell phone regulation is needed because
drivers using cell phones are seriously
impaired.
Star Trek should not be cancelled because its
vision represents a positive view of humanity
built on science and logic.
Hopes, dreams, and memories make us
humans: an organized and thoughtful hope
chest not only benefits the maker, but her
children for many generations.

54. Title, Opening, Thesis
Introduction

55. Title, Opening, Thesis
Introduction
Most important part of the essay

56. Title, Opening, Thesis
Introduction
Most important part of the essay
Makes first impression

57. Title, Opening, Thesis
Introduction
Most important part of the essay
Makes first impression
Gives direction

58. Title, Opening, Thesis
Introduction
Most important part of the essay
Makes first impression
Gives direction
Provides focus and scope

59. Title, Opening, Thesis
Introduction
Most important part of the essay
Makes first impression
Gives direction
Provides focus and scope
Makes clear your subject, purpose, and
audience