3.14 Writing an Introduction and a Conclusion

Learning Targets

Back to the Big Question

The big questions provide focus and make the biography interesting. If you haven't figured it out yet, you need to determine a big question that can be answered by your biography.

If you have a "big question", the reader will feel satisfied after reading the biography. The reader will have an "understanding" of something important as a result of reading your biography.

• Some questions you might want to think about include:
  • What kind of effect did he or she have on the world? other people?
  • Do you feel this person made the world a better place to live in because of what he/she did?  How? Why or why not?
  • How would the history of the world been affected or changed if this significant
    contributor had never lived?
  • What qualities did this person have that made him or her successful?

Go to your Learning Guide and respond to Big Question. Then, return to this online lesson.

Introduction

The introduction is very important. It is also short - often 2 - 4 sentences. It will determine whether or not the reader will want to continue reading, want to know more, read with eyes glossed over in boredom, or not want to continue reading at all. Pretty important wouldn't you say?

First Sentence:

• Start with a quote. If you have collected some quotable quotes, this may be a powerful way to start!
• Begin with an action. (E.g. For Terry Fox: Crowds lined the street to cheer on the young man who was running a marathon a day...)
• Start with a question.(E.g. Terry Fox – who is this person whose legacy lives on almost 40 years?)
  

The Last Sentence:

•  A strong statement related to your big question. (E.g. This Canadian hero has had more impact than he could have possibly imagined!)

The first paragraph does not give away all of the details in the body paragraphs. You may add one or two sentences between your first and last sentence to tie it all together but save the body paragraphs' information for where it belongs.

Draft your introductory paragraph now. Then, return to this online lesson book.

Conclusion

What is the most interesting thing you learned about your subject? What is the most important thing? If your conclusion is well-written, it will leave your reader feeling satisfied.

You may wish to answer:

• What do you find most inspirational about this person?
• Which of his or her personality traits do you most admire or want to emulate (copy)?
• What important lesson(s) can be learned from this person’s life?

A strong final paragraph should relate to the big question you introduced us to in your introduction.

Draft your concluding paragraph now.