Virginia SOL 10.W.1.A.i
The Standard
Introduce a topic clearly by providing context, presenting well-defined theses, and previewing what follows.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students open an extended essay by orienting the reader before moving into the body. They provide useful background, state a focused thesis, and show how the main ideas will unfold.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A strong introduction establishes the issue, gives relevant context, and states a specific, arguable thesis. It also signals the main reasons or sequence the essay will develop.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat a broad topic statement as a thesis or include background that does not support the essay’s focus. They may also list body paragraphs mechanically instead of previewing the reasoning that connects them.
How to Assess It
- Use this exit ticket: Write a four-sentence introduction arguing whether schools should limit homework, including context, a clear thesis, and a preview of reasons.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups sentence strips from a sample introduction and have them arrange the context, thesis, and preview in the clearest order.
Ask students to compare two introductions and write which one better prepares the reader, citing two specific choices.
Play Introduction Repair by having pairs revise weak openings that lack context, contain vague theses, or omit a preview.
Examine an editorial opening from a local newspaper and label how the writer sets context, states a position, and previews reasons.
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