3rd Module Gamma - Week 1 & 2
From Paragraph to Essay - The introduction
From Paragraph to Essay
MODEL PARAGRAPH
Man’s Best Friend
Dogs are considered to be important for people. First, they serve people almost like
employees. These dogs, such as Siberian huskies and collies are especially needed by
farmers. To a sheep farmer, for example, a good sheepdog is his most valuable partner.
Other dogs are used primarily in sports. For instance, the supremely fast greyhound is used
in dog races, and many hunting dogs, such as setters, retrievers and pointers, often compete
in hunting trials. Third, many people enjoy dogs as companions. All kinds of dogs can be
excellent companions. Some examples are toy dogs such as a Chihuahua. In brief, because
of the relationships they have with people, dogs are often called man’s best friend.
MODEL ESSAY
Man’s Best Friend
The dog is generally considered the first domesticated animal. The domesticated dog
has lived with human beings as a working partner and household pet in all areas and cultures
since the time people lived in caves. Archaeologists have found remains of dogs that are
10,000 years old. In these ancient societies, as well as in our modern ones, dogs are
considered to be important for people because they serve people almost like employees,
they are used in sports, and they are valued as companions by people.
First, the working dogs serve people almost like employees. These dogs, such as
Siberian huskies and collies help pull heavy loads, round up cattle, and keep a sharp eye
out for strangers. To a sheep farmer, for example, a good sheepdog is his most valuable
partner. Sheepdogs, such as Border Collies, Standard Collies, and Shetland Sheepdogs
are very intelligent and can learn to respond to hand signals as well as spoken words.
Second, some dogs are used primarily in sports. The supremely fast greyhound is
used in dog races. These races take place on specially prepared tracks where the
competitors chase a mechanical rabbit. In addition, many hunting dogs, such as setters,
retrievers and pointers often compete in hunting trials. Retrievers, such as golden
retrievers and Labrador retrievers will throw themselves into an icy cold lake to pick up
the bird their owner has shot. These special hunting dogs often compete in hunting trials.
Clearly, sporting dogs are the athletes of the dog world.
Third, many people enjoy a dog as a companion. All kinds of dogs can be excellent
companions. Both the working dogs and hunting dogs have great patience and are very good
with small children. Most of these dogs will allow children to climb all over them and are
great babysitters because of their loyalty to their owners and their family. A few breeds are
kept only for the purpose of being a companion. Some of these are toy dogs, such as a
Chihuahua or a Lhasa Apso. Since these dogs are so tiny, they are great to have if you live
in a small apartment. In short, all dogs, including the toy dogs, are wonderful companions.
In conclusion, dogs are invaluable friends to people. In addition to that, most types can
be used efficiently to serve people, and some are talented in sports. Even if you have no
interest in sports or no farm to run, you can still have a dog as a great companion.
• A paragraph and an essay have the same basic
plan; an essay is just longer.
• Basic academic essays have three main parts:
1. introduction
2. body
3. conclusion
The introduction
The introduction
The introduction is the first
paragraph of the essay. It
introduces the topic of the
essay and arouses the
reader’s interest.
The first sentences of the introductory paragraph give an overview of the subject.
After you introduce your topic or problem, you’ll end your introduction with a thesis
statement that will lay out your argument or stance on the topic. You should lead
your reader gradually from a very general idea of your topic to a very specific idea.
The introduction contains:
✓ a general statement that shows the reader why the topic is important, gets their
interest, and leads them into the topic. It isn’t actually part of your argument.
✓ background information to provide a bit of context for the rest of your essay and set
the stage for your thesis statement. Remember not to get too detailed here.
✓ a thesis statement, which is the most important part of the introduction. This is your
response to the question. It tells the reader what they can expect in the essay body. This
is where you briefly outline your arguments. There is more than one way to formulate a
thesis statement; however, the most common is: the main topic + three controlling
ideas.
WRITING THE INTRODUCTION: DIFFERENT METHODS
Most students complain about the difficulty of starting to write the introduction and ask
the question “But how will I start?” To help you start writing, we have provided you with
different methods with examples.
1. FUNNEL
In this style of introduction, the writer starts with a general opening statement and
gradually makes it narrower just like a funnel. In this way, the background information is
funnelled to the thesis statement.
Example:
Music has always been a natural part of human life since the dawn of civilization.
Communities have always needed music, created different instruments, and produced songs
for many reasons from telling their epic victories to enjoying a marriage ceremony. Especially
in the last century, we have witnessed the appearance of hundreds of musical styles, each of
which has its unique properties and followers. However, I strongly believe rock is the best of
all regarding its musical richness, creativity, and fan base.
2. QUESTION
Asking a question at the very beginning of an essay is definitely a useful tool to catch
the reader’s attention. The question can function differently: it can set the tone of the essay
or be used to intrigue the reader. The writer will ask the question and design the essay around
the question. It is better to use more detailed questions instead of yes/no questions.
Example:
Who wouldn’t enjoy plunging into the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea while the rest
of the world is suffering from harsh winter, cold, and snow? If you are one of those who hate
winter and are looking forward to summer, Messindla Beach is the perfect location to have a
great holiday even in winter months. With its always warm sea and many entertainment
opportunities, Messindla Beach attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world in all
seasons.
3. DEFINITION
If a specific concept, word, or an unknown term is going to be
used in the essay, providing a definition of the term can serve as an
introduction to the essay.
Example:
TOEFL and TOEIC are acronyms frequently used interchangeably in the field of English
language study to define English Proficiency Exams. While TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign
Language, is an academic test to measure students’ reading, listening, and writing skills, TOEIC
is a test of English, the focus of which is to evaluate international communication skills. Both
these tests evaluate students’ English proficiency, but they are completely different in nature,
content, and focus.
4. QUOTATION
If someone, often a popular figure, has a clearly stated opinion you agree with and that
will give the reader a clear idea of your point, quotations can be useful. It is important that
the quotation needs to be relevant to the topic. Quotations can be used independently or
combined with other types of introductions.
Example:
To emphasize his idea of nationalistic pride, togetherness, and volunteerism, US
President John F. Kennedy famously proclaimed, “…Ask not what your country can do for you;
ask what you can do for your country.” These famous words clearly reflect the American
attitude towards world politics in the 1950s and 60s. Having felt threatened by the growing
communism in The Soviet Union and Europe, the American community adopted a highly
nationalist attitude during this time period and the signs of it can be clearly witnessed in
literature, and social and international relations.
5. ANECDOTE
An anecdote is a short story. It can be used to
illustrate the point you want to make in your paper.
Starting with an anecdote can be quite effective in
interesting the reader.
Example:
I still remember those days vividly. Like many people in our neighbourhood, my father
was unemployed. There wasn’t enough food for everyone in the family. Only I and my two-
year-old brother were given food three times a day. In order to raise some money, we rented
out the other rooms of our house. The whole family used to sleep together. Nowhere was safe
as people were unhesitant to kill each other for even a bowl of soup. In my opinion, the most
desperate time period in the 20th century was the Great Depression, during which people
suffered the most from poverty, hunger, and violence, besides other related problems.
6. SETTING THE SCENE
It is also useful to create a mental picture for the
reader in the introduction paragraph. Using language
describing how things smell, sound, and taste can be
effective to raise the reader’s curiosity.
Example:
It’s everywhere you look, every street corner, almost every home. It has become an
indispensable part of life for many Turkish people. Cups of it are held in the hands of workers,
students, homemakers, and movie stars. Turkish people are madly in love with tea. What
makes this drink so adorable? In Turkey, tea is not only a relaxing drink, but it is also a part of
the culture and focal point of many social functions.
Exercise 1: Reorder the sentences in each introductory paragraph. First, number the most
general statement. Then number the sentences in the correct order from most toleast general.
Number the thesis statement last.
PARAGRAPH 1
(1) Therefore, workaholics' lifestyles can affect their families, social lives, and health.
(2) Because they work so many hours, workaholics may not spend enough time in
leisure activities. (3) These people are serious about becoming successful, so they work
long hours during the week and even on weekends. (4) People who work long hours are
called "workaholics."
Correct order =
PARAGRAPH 2
(1) As a result, anyone who wants to drive must carry a driver's license. (2) It is divided
into four steps: studying the traffic laws, taking the written test, learning to drive, and
taking the driving test. (3) Getting a driver's license is a complicated process. (4)
Driving a car is a necessity in today's busy society, and it is also a special privilege.
Correct order =
PARAGRAPH 3
(1) During this period, children separate themselves from their parents and become
independent. (2) Teenagers express their separateness most vividly in their choice of
clothes, hairstyles, music, and vocabulary. (3) The teenage years between childhood and
adulthood are a period of growth and separation.
Correct order =
Exercise 2: Write thesis statements for the given topics.
1. Topic: The reasons you decide to learn English
Thesis statement:_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Topic: The best ways to lose weight
Thesis statement:_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Topic: The reasons for having a college /university education
Thesis statement:_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
