1. Simple Present Tense Quiz
Before diving into today’s writing lesson, students will begin with a simple present tense quiz. This short activity helps reinforce grammatical accuracy, which is essential for clear and professional writing.
Encourage students to review their answers carefully, paying close attention to verb forms and subject-verb agreement—both of which often sneak their way into essay introductions!
2. Introductory Paragraphs Lesson
Today’s main focus is learning how to write introductory paragraphs—the first impression of any essay.
In this lesson, students will explore how an introduction sets the tone and direction of an essay. They’ll learn that a good introduction includes three key elements:
A hook to grab the reader’s attention,
Context to introduce the topic, and
A thesis statement that clearly presents the writer’s main argument.
Encourage students to try different types of hooks—questions, quotes, surprising facts, or brief anecdotes—to see what best fits their essay topic. Discuss how the thesis statement should guide the rest of the essay, acting like a roadmap for what’s to come.
3. Continue Working on Outline / Rough Draft
If time allows, students should return to their essay outline or rough draft and start applying what they learned about introductions. Ask them to write a complete introductory paragraph for their essay, using the structure discussed in the lesson.
This is a great opportunity to circulate the classroom, check in with individual students, and offer feedback on their hooks and thesis statements. Remind them that the introduction doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try—refining it often becomes easier once the body paragraphs are written.
Wrap-Up
By the end of this class, students will understand the purpose and structure of an effective introductory paragraph. They’ll also have had the chance to practice writing one for their own essay, setting them up for stronger, more cohesive drafts in the days ahead.