February 29, 2004

Titles and Introductions: Student Writing Examples
 

Students wrote a standard five-paragraph essay of 300 words on the topic, "Three activities I do each week." The following is a discussion of titles and introductions from the Advanced Composition classes.

Everyday is the Same (sample title)

First, remember to capitalize the important words. The original title is a sentence and that's a no. How about : Every Day the Same as an improved title. This title made us smile and expect something funny. As one student said, if it is not funny, then that would be a deceit. However, there is some disagreement over the idea that this title shows humour. Warning! Humour is not universal.

Not a Boring Routine (sample title)

It seems clear that this essay will be, probably, about something interesting going on in the student's weekly life.

My Life (sample title)

The title seems a bit general. Perhaps try My Weekly Life. When you write an autobiography, you can use this title.

Sample Introduction for an essay titled "My Weekly Life"

Since I don't work outside the home, I can enjoy many kinds of activities. Besides going to school to study English, I go to my parents' café, cook the dinner, and study programming every week. (35 words; suitable for a 300 word essay)

Every Saturday, I enjoy going to help my parents at a small café. (This would be your first body topic sentence)

This introduction starts by establishing the personal situation of the writer and puts it positively. It also uses a classic three part thesis that allows the readers to understand what will follow exactly.

Activities That I Do (sample title)

Be sure to capitalize the important words in the title.

Without an alarm clock, my body clock wakes me up at the same time every day. I open my sleepy eyes and serve myself a glass of water, then, it's time for my first activity of a day. (38 words; original introduction)

The class revised the preceding introduction as follows:

My body clock wakes me at the same time every day, ready to begin the first of my three favourite daily activities (22 words; shorter introduction OR): reading, practicing piano and picking up my kids at school. (32 words; introduction with specific details of the three activities)

The opening sentence is attractive and shows us something, making us feel that the writer is in control.

See the most recent tip