Introductions Out with the old in with the new

Transcription

1 Introductions Out with the old in with the new

2 Old way This is how many student s essays begin.

3 The New Way There are five different ways you can begin an essay that will allow your reader to be interested and excited to see what you have to say. Anecdote (short story) A quotation A interesting fact A news story A vivid description

4 Anecdote- brief personal story With a brief Anecdote- brief personal story I had just gotten home from the biggest football game of my life and I was defeated. We had practiced and were sure we were going to win, and we would have if my stupid knee hadn t gotten injured. After the first quarter, I was on the bench. I was so upset I wanted to cry. I hobbled up to my room and flung myself into my pillow. Before long, I felt his breath in my ear. I could move fast enough; in one quick tongue-swipe, my face became a dripping, sticky mess. I couldn t help but laugh, and suddenly my night didn t seem so bad. Without my Saint Bernard Dudley, my life would be much more difficult. In my personal experience, I know dogs make great pets because they are man s best friend, they can be trained to save lives, and they are relatively inexpensive.

5 Quotation Author, John Grogan, of the book Marley and Me once wrote, We could have bought a small yacht with what we spent on our dog and all the things he destroyed. Then again, how many yachts wait by the door all day for your return? The quote says it all. Dogs can be overly active and sometimes difficult, but millions of people have them because they love us. There is no greater reward than the unyielding love of a dog. They were made to be our companions. Dogs are the best of pets for many reasons but mostly because they are man s best friend, they can be trained to save lives, and they are relatively inexpensive.

6 An Interesting Fact According to R. Merlen in his book, De Canibus: Dog and Hound in Antiquity, all dogs can be traced back 40 million years ago to a weasel-like animal called the Miacis which dwelled in trees and dens. The Miacis later evolved into the Tomarctus, a direct forbear of the genus Canis, which includes the wolf and jackal as well as the dog. With all of the effort humans have put into breeding dogs, it is surprising that not everyone believes a dog would make a good pet; however, dogs make great pets because they have been bred to be man s best friend, they can be trained to save lives, and they are relatively inexpensive.

7 News Item On September 11, 2001 America saw one of the worst attacks on its land. Terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center towers which were the tallest buildings in the city. Saving the citizens that were trapped and recovering the bodies would have been almost impossible if it wasn t for the K-9 s that were trained to track humans and alert rescue workers to the areas where a body might have been. Many people were recovered because of these dogs. With events like these it becomes clear that dogs make good pets, in addition to being trained to save lives, dogs are also man s best friend, and relatively inexpensive.

8 Detailed Description A elderly gentleman comes home to a dark house on a cold winter s night. Unfortunately, his wife passed away many year s ago and his children and grandchildren live two states away. His vision is failing and the cold hurts his hips, but all of his worries melt away when he opens his door and turns on his lights. There waiting with a wagging tail is his dog Daisy. She is so happy to see him, she whines with delight. Suddenly he doesn t feel old, and he s ready for their walk. Together in the dark, they walk their regular path and then settle in front of the fire for the Monday night football game. This example makes it clear that dogs make good pets because besides being man s best friend, dogs can be trained to save lives, and they aren t overly expensive.