Generic Writing Tips
or How to Get Better Grades on Writing Assignments in all Classes!
The following links have been provided to help you when there's no teacher around.
Read and Heed.
More on Intros and Conclusions
If you're working on your comparison/contrast introduction, it MUST include a THESIS STATEMENT. Your thesis statement must state the two things you're comparing and contrasting, something about differences and similarities (NOT facts from your Venn Diagram, but the idea of looking for differences and similarities), and the decision or conclusion or point the c/c illustrates.
Each paragraph of the body must start with a TOPIC sentence. If you've done your Venn Diagram well, the categories should turn themselves into the topic sentences in the body.
Your conclusion should restate your introduction in a final sounding way--and get back to the idea expressed in your thesis statement.
If you are working on an introduction for the "Flowers for Algernon" writing assignment, you need to include the following information:
Try to work the first three bits of information into one sentence. EXAMPLE: Daniel Keyes' short story "Flowers for Algernon" traces what happens to main character Charlie Gordon as his IQ moves from 68 to 204 before falling below 68.
Writing the title and author at the top of your draft DOES NOT satisfy the requirements. The information must be worked into the actual introduction (first paragraph).
Keep writing until you've let the reader know which topic you have chosen by writing a clear thesis statement. EXAMPLE: Although Charlie dies prematurely because of the surgery, I still think he is better off after the doctors triple his IQ.