Writing Graphic Organizers

All sixth grade students are working diligently on their first five paragraph essay.  In class yesterday, we talked about how to compose an introduction.  We brought up the following points:

• The introduction is the hardest part of the paper to write.  We talked about several strategies for writing an introduction. 
• In a history paper, you must transport the reader from their own lives into your topic.  You must provide background and do not assume that the reader is familiar with the topic you are covering. 
• You have to "hook" the reader and then provide the evidence. 
• You must convey a tremendous amount of information in a short space including; your topic, why it is important, and you thesis statement. (A thesis statement is your answer to a debatable statement.) 
• Suggestions for an "attention grabber" opening sentence
• an intriguing example 
• a provocative quote 
• a puzzling scenario 
• a vivid or unexpected anecdote 
• a thought-provoking question 

THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE ESSAY IS DUE THURSDAY!