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Chapter overview
Learning goals
Learning Goals
English
Exam board
OCR
Shakespeare
19th century prose
Modern texts
Poetry
Analysing fiction
Analysing non fiction
Reading
Writing process
Writing skills
Grammar and punctuation
English
Summary
To put it plainly, your opening paragraph is your introduction to the topic and your ideas. Your closing paragraph is how you conclude your thoughts on the topic. These paragraphs link, with the concluding paragraph restating your topic idea from the introduction. In this lesson, you will learn how to write opening and closing paragraphs effectively.
Your opening paragraph is where you state your overall argument. An effective opening paragraph will include:
It is crucial that you include your argument in your opening paragraph. When devising an argument, think:
By asking these questions, you can create a strong line of argument that is introduced in your opening paragraph and carried throughout your work.
An example of a structure you could use for an opening paragraph could be:
STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES | Explanation |
The "hook" | A strong sentence, relating to the topic, that grabs the reader's attention. |
Discuss the topic | Use a few sentences to briefly, yet effectively, discuss the topic. Use facts and vivid descriptions to present a strong presentation of subject knowledge. |
Line of argument | Introduce your main line of argument. Present your argument clearly and introduce how you will show your argument through your writing. |
Your final paragraph should serve to summarise your work and restate your main point. An effective closing paragraph should:
The type of writing you do will affect the way you write your closing paragraph.
Type of writing | Effect on closing paragraph |
Persuasive writing | Put your key arguments together and show how they link to your overarching line of argument. Link back to your introduction but don't repeat yourself. |
Writing to explain | Summarise the key information you've written and the consequences of your explanation. |
Structure of sentences | Explanation |
Closing sentence | You can use a concluding discourse marker to begin your closing paragraph. |
Reiterate what you've said | Go over the key points you've made. |
Line of argument | Emphasise how your writing has demonstrated your line of argument. Slightly mirror your opening paragraph. |
To put it plainly, your opening paragraph is your introduction to the topic and your ideas. Your closing paragraph is how you conclude your thoughts on the topic. These paragraphs link, with the concluding paragraph restating your topic idea from the introduction. In this lesson, you will learn how to write opening and closing paragraphs effectively.
Your opening paragraph is where you state your overall argument. An effective opening paragraph will include:
It is crucial that you include your argument in your opening paragraph. When devising an argument, think:
By asking these questions, you can create a strong line of argument that is introduced in your opening paragraph and carried throughout your work.
An example of a structure you could use for an opening paragraph could be:
STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES | Explanation |
The "hook" | A strong sentence, relating to the topic, that grabs the reader's attention. |
Discuss the topic | Use a few sentences to briefly, yet effectively, discuss the topic. Use facts and vivid descriptions to present a strong presentation of subject knowledge. |
Line of argument | Introduce your main line of argument. Present your argument clearly and introduce how you will show your argument through your writing. |
Your final paragraph should serve to summarise your work and restate your main point. An effective closing paragraph should:
The type of writing you do will affect the way you write your closing paragraph.
Type of writing | Effect on closing paragraph |
Persuasive writing | Put your key arguments together and show how they link to your overarching line of argument. Link back to your introduction but don't repeat yourself. |
Writing to explain | Summarise the key information you've written and the consequences of your explanation. |
Structure of sentences | Explanation |
Closing sentence | You can use a concluding discourse marker to begin your closing paragraph. |
Reiterate what you've said | Go over the key points you've made. |
Line of argument | Emphasise how your writing has demonstrated your line of argument. Slightly mirror your opening paragraph. |
Planning your writing
Organising information and signposting
Structuring paragraphs
Using discourse markers
FAQs
Question: Are the opening and closing sentences similar?
Answer: These paragraphs link, with the concluding paragraph restating your topic idea from the introduction. Link back to your introduction but don't repeat yourself.
Question: What is a closing paragraph?
Answer: Your closing paragraph is how you conclude your thoughts on the topic.
Question: What is an opening paragraph?
Answer: To put it plainly, your opening paragraph is your introduction to the topic and your ideas.
Theory
Exercises
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