the podcast:
A STUDENT sits in an armchair. She has a newspaper on her lap.
STUDENT: Look! This is called a newspaper. They still exist! I actually like reading them better. I know, I know, I’m old school but I used to like watching my grandfather sit at the dining room table, reading the whole thing while he sipped his cup of coffee in the morning. He always let me read the funny pages.
STUDENT: No updates, though. Regardless, if it’s paper or a website, everyone reads the beginning of the article on the front page. But how many people actually turn the page to read the rest? News writers know that they need to introduce the main ideas at the beginning of the article, in the introduction. Hold on, let me give you an example.
STUDENT: Oh, here. A big winter storm caused major problems all day long for people in the Dayton area. Okay, that’s the introduction. Now, let’s see if the later sentences support the main ideas in the introduction.
STUDENT: It says here that there was more than a foot of snow. Yes, it supports the idea that there was a big winter storm. It also says that hundreds of people lost power and lots of drivers were stuck on roads. It sounds like it caused major problems all day long. A paragraph can also have an introduction. The introduction previews the ideas in the rest of the paragraph. Sometimes this is called a topic sentence. For example, let’s look at a paragraph from the editorial.
STUDENT: Ah, here. It starts with, there are two reasons we should build a nature center in our town. This lets the readers know that the rest of the paragraph will be about the reasons for the nature center. The next two sentences each give a different reason for the nature center. Got all of that? Good.
STUDENT: Hey, where are the funny pages?! Grandpa!
Fade to black and a copyright notice appears on screen, which reads:
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THE END.
This text describes an episode of a podcast where a student is discussing the layout and content of a newspaper. She talks about the importance of a good introduction for an article or a paragraph, using the example of a story about a winter storm. She then moves on to the editorial section, discussing how the introduction or topic sentence sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph.
She uses the concept of the newspaper layout to explain ideas of topic coherence and content organization in written pieces. She discusses how most people typically read the front-page headlines or introductions, hence the necessity for writers to convey key messages upfront.
The podcast finishes off on a light-hearted note with her looking for the funny pages, a segment she used to read with her grandfather.
Please note that this text is marked by a copyright notice which indicates that any replication or modification without explicit authorization is prohibited. The copyright belongs to Pearson Online and Blended Learning, a universally recognized education services company.
Summarize the podcast
In the podcast, a student engagingly discusses the structure and importance of newspapers. She highlights how the introduction of an article is often the most read part, thus it should contain the main points of the story. She elaborates on this using an example of a weather report and an editorial piece. The student wraps up by nostalgically referring to reading the funny pages with her grandfather.
Define the following terms found in Lessons 1 and 2:
Informative Text -
Explanatory Text -
Introduction -
Topic Sentence-
Informative Text - This is a portion of nonfiction writing aimed at educating the readers by presenting facts and detailed information about a specific subject or topic.
Explanatory Text - This type of text contains detailed explanations or descriptions of a specific concept or topic. It aims at building understanding in the reader by breaking down complex ideas into simpler ones, and often includes cause and effect relationships or process sequences.
Introduction - In the context of writing, an introduction is the beginning portion of any piece of title, whether it is an essay, an article, or a book. It typically contains an opening statement, a brief overview of the main topic, and a preview of the points to be covered within the text.
Topic Sentence - A topic sentence is the sentence in a paragraph that introduces the main idea or theme to be discussed in the rest of the paragraph. It typically sets the tone for the paragraph and helps to organize the content.
Introduction 1
Our school is having a canned goods drive. Together with the local Kiwanis Club, our Sustainability Club is organizing the drive. They want to collect 2,000 cans in the next month. There are several ways that students can help.
Introduction 2
Did you know that 250 families in our town rely on the local Food Pantry for at least one meal a day? The Sustainability Club wants to help, and you can help, too. The club is holding a canned goods drive with a surprisingly challenging goal.
Writing an Introduction - On page 2 there are two examples of introductions. Read both, then critique both introductions by explaining which you believe is better and why.
While both introductions effectively communicate the theme of a canned goods drive at school, the introduction that is arguably better would be Introduction 2.
Introduction 1 is straightforward and provides a clear understanding of the purpose of the canned goods drive, including who is organizing it, the set goal, and mentions how students can contribute to the cause.
However, Introduction 2 has an emotional pull, providing a statistic that humanizes the issue and empathizes with local families who are relying on Food Pantry. This approach is likely to engage readers on a personal level, since it appeals more to their emotions and not just their sense of responsibility. The element of surprise in the goal also adds to making it a more compelling read. This edge in emotional appeal and engaging language gives Introduction 2, arguably, a better edge.
Across the nation, volunteer fire companies are finding it hard to stay open. A recent survey found that volunteer firefighter numbers for 2016 and 2017 are the lowest ever recorded. Local companies are closing or merging. The lack of available volunteers puts all of us at risk.
What is the topic of the informational text?
Why is that topic important?
How did the writer try to grab the reader’s attention?
The topic of the informational text is the nationwide decrease in volunteer firefighters, resulting in the closure or merging of local fire companies.
This topic is important because the reduced numbers of volunteer firefighters pose a significant risk to public safety. Volunteer firefighters play a crucial role in responding to emergencies, and their decrease can impact the community's capability to deal with fires and other emergencies.
The writer grabbed the readers' attention by stating alarming facts and framing them in a way that highlights the potential risk to everyone. They open with a powerful statement about how volunteer fire companies are struggling to keep their operations going. They then cite a recent survey showing that the numbers of volunteer firefighters for 2016 and 2017 are the lowest ever, leading to the conclusion that this declining trend is impacting public safety.
Think of a topic in your community that concerns you. Think about why it matters to you. Then draft an introductory paragraph that follows all three rules in this lesson.
Make sure your paragraph reveals the topic or subject clearly. Include an explanation of why the topic or subject is important. Think of ways to make readers want to read more.