WRITING THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH SOME APPROACHES Strategy

WRITING THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: SOME APPROACHES

Strategy 1: Begin with Action • The bus was travelling at high speed. I have been used to several trips like this before but this time I felt frightened… • I took to my heels and ran for my life. I could not stop. They were just behind me. I would rather be dead than be caught. Perspiration rolled down my face as I fled from the enemy. My legs felt like lead… • A Fearful Experience

Strategy 2: Begin with Dialogue linked to title – continue with description Fear • “Mother, is there anything wrong? ” My question broke the stillness of the wet early morning. I sensed from the beginning that something was going to happen. Mother was sitting at the dining-table, staring at the window. I could tell from her countenance that she was upset.

Strategy 2: Begin with a General Statement Topic: Describe a place you often go to. Port Dickson holds much fascination for me. I go there often to enjoy the peace and quiet of a holiday resort by the sea, and to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Strategy 3: Begin with definition Topic: Should co-curricular activities be made compulsory in schools? * In an argumentative essay, you often need to define key terms before you begin writing your argument. Co-curricular activities involve students’ participation in clubs or societies and sporting activities outside school hours. In my opinion, I strongly believe that cocurricular activities are a waste of time and energy, and should not be made compulsory in schools.

Model paragraph (Descriptive Writing – person) Topic: Neighbours are persons living next door to us. However, with time, this definition has been found to be very restrictive. Today, the term ‘neighbour’ includes people living in a wider area. Persons living across, opposite, on the next street and even within the same area are often regarded as neighbours.

Strategy 4: Begin with a saying Topic: Write about some of your classmates and the way they behave. “It takes all sorts to make the world. ” If you step into my class, the various personalities from Hong Leong to Yi Zhuang will intrigue you.

Strategy 5: Begin with Flashback • The old photograph stared blankly back at me. There she was. My best friend in Secondary Three – Serena. A bubbly, caring girl who nevertheless was spoilt by her rich parents. Both of us somehow hit off very well when we were introduced by a mutual friend during our school’s Sec. Three Level Camp. We shared stories, homework, food, clothes and gossiped about everyone and everything under the sun. We were inseparable and came to be known as the ‘Tan Sisters’. One day, unexpectedly, that would come to an end.

Strategy 6: Begin with the end The times I had with her were over. Little did I know that those words would cost me our friendship. Serena and I were best of friends. We were known as “The Inseparables” in school, because we went everywhere together, ate everything together and did everything together. No one saw one without the other….

Strategy 7: Begin with sound words • “Snip!” went the pair of long silver scissors in the hand of our Discipline Mistress. It was the beginning of the school term and once again, a long queue of boys waiting for their haircut. No, it was not the National Service, it was the school Haircut Service…

Practice * Anger * 1. What comes to your mind? Any storyline? In one sentence, describe your storyline. • Eg 1. A girl got angry when she thought her best friend had betrayed her, only to discover she was mistaken. • Eg. 2. I want the moral of my story to teach others that words said in anger will hurt and destroy friendships.

2. Choose which one you prefer, based on perhaps real-life experience. I choose 2: Protagonist will be “I”, how I said something in a fit of anger and hurt my best friend’s feelings, but being too proud, I refused to apologise and in the end, lost the friendship.

3. Plan your flow: - Friend’s birthday party – buy a dress. - Went with my best friend - disagreement in opinion over a dress - She found a bright orange retro outfit black polka dots and suggested I tried it on. - I refused. - She teased, “You have such boring taste!” - My ego was hurt; my blood boiled. - I retorted loudly so everyone in the boutique heard me, “You are no better! You old-fashioned nerd!” - Her face turned beetroot – embarrassed – burst into tears and ran out of the store. - Stood rooted the ground, dumbfounded.

- Left the shop - Whole night debating whether to pick up the phone or sms her. - No courage to do so. - Reasoned in my mind that she hurt me first, embarrassed me first, thus, she should apologise first. - She did not call; I did not call. The school holidays came. Still no call. I could not bear to call - Which is more precious? Your ego, pride or friendship? Sigh! - Wave of regret swept over me

Topic: Anger 4. Now, decide which is the best method to begin. Experiment for the introduction!!! Choose 3 of the following strategies and with your buddy, try writing an introduction for the topic Anger: - Dialogue + description - Flashback - Saying - Ending - Action - Definition Which method(s) do you think will be most effective in bringing out your purpose/message?