By Jennifer DiGrazia
This is a way to discuss intros and how they might write a compelling one, using the Text-Wrestling Book. In groups of 3 or 4 (or as homework), have them look through Text-Wrestling Book only at the leads (first couple of lines, or even first paragraph) of the essays. In groups ask them to identify the leads that most appeal to them and explain why. Choose three. Then as a class, generate a list of different types of introductions. Have them call out those three and explain why. Read the first few sentences of a few of them.
I then write different types of introductions up on the board and see if the ones they called out fit/don't fit under the following categories:
- Anecdote: a little story
- Scene: description
- Profile: a look at a person
- Background info
- Quotation
- Dialogue
- Question
- Contrast
- Announcement
Next, ask the students to write 2 different introductions to an essay-in-progress, each of which uses a different technique. Turn to the person next to them and read aloud the two different intros. Have them answer the following questions:
- Which made you want to hear my story more and why?
- Based on that introduction, what would you predict my essay would be about? (make sure your story relates to your lead; don't just write a good lead-it should be tied to your essay)
Discuss what, overall, this suggested to them about leads. What qualities should a good lead have? (Gets point across while drawing reader in.)
A variation we discussed in CD group (by Pat Zukowski and others) involves having students do something similar with the publications as a follow-up. I also talk to them about how leads often come after the essay has been written and that this exercise, even if they don't change their lead, can be useful when writing an essay and help with transitions.
