TOP 3  #23  #7  #12

ORGANIZING YOUR INTRO The guide for your whole paper

MOVE FROM GENERAL TO SPECIFIC Most General information to start the paragraph: 2-3 sentences introducing the basic topic/subject of your paper; Grab the readers attention. Move to book specific info: 3-4 sentences explaining the connection of the topic to the novel and introducing the elements you will talk about in your body. Specific purpose of your paper: Thesis

LET’S PRACTICE – MY THESIS  The Great Gatsby is a cautionary tale that employs complex characters to illustrate how the obsession with an unworthy dream will ultimately lead to one’s destruction.

MY HOOK OPTIONS HOOK 1: The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg stare ominously over the desolate landscape of the Valley of Ashes. They watch as despair overtakes Gatsby's world in the wake of a tragic accident. As the Valley of Ashes claims yet another dream, Gatsby comes to the realization this so called "dream" was never more than an illusion hovering just out of reach. HOOK 2: To understand the nature of a dream, a goal, or a desire is to understand the character of Jay Gatsby. The dreams that cloud his vision of reality ultimately put him on the path to destruction. He knows even with his dream within reach there are times "when Daisy [tumbles] short of his dreams - not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion" (95). HOOK 3: The Roaring 20s is a decade that is remembered as full of great economic prosperity and cultural enrichment. After the end of the First World War, the governmental system returns to “normalcy” and leaves Americans with a rejuvenating feeling of safety. This decade with its “extraordinary gift for hope” (2) marks the beginning of the Jazz Age and the emergence of the empowered woman, the flapper. This is a time in American history where the average citizen could achieve the dream for rising higher and having more. The writers of the Lost Generation, such as Fitzgerald, wrote to bring attention to the consequences of pursuing a dream rooted in greed and materialism. HOOK 4: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby introduces the audience to the evils and inevitable corruption brought about by the desire for success. Through the development of his flawed hero, Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald is able to give a glimpse into the death and destruction that ultimately is left in the wake of following one's dreams.

PUTTING IT INTO THE ORGANIZER: HOOK 1: The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg stare ominously over the desolate landscape of the Valley of Ashes. They watch as despair overtakes Gatsby's world in the wake of a tragic accident. As the Valley of Ashes claims yet another dream, Gatsby comes to the realization this so called "dream" was never more than an illusion hovering just out of reach. THESIS: The Great Gatsby is a cautionary tale that employs complex characters to illustrate how the obsession with an unworthy dream will ultimately lead to one’s destruction.

HOW DO I FILL IN THE MIDDLE CONTEXT SECTION?  First I have to decide what characters in the novel best reflect my statement in the thesis of characters ultimately being destroyed by the pursuit of their dreams.  Let's go with:  Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson  Next, I have to decide what symbols or literary elements from the novel that we identified are the most closely related to dreams of the characters or the danger of pursuing dreams. Let’s go with:  The name Jay Gatsby, the green light, and time

NEXT STEP: BREAK DOWN EACH CHARACTER AND HOW THEY PROVE MY THESIS. MYRTLE WILSON:  What is Myrtle’s American Dream?  How does the dream cause destruction in her life?  How is she struggling against reality?  Specific examples from the text:

NEXT STEP: BREAK DOWN EACH CHARACTER AND HOW THEY PROVE MY THESIS. GASTBY:  What is Gatsby’s American Dream?  How does the dream cause destruction in his life?  How is he struggling against reality?  Specific examples from the text:

NEXT STEP: BREAK DOWN EACH SYMBOL AND HOW THEY PROVE MY THESIS. NAME/TIME/GREEN LIGHT:  What is the connection between each of these the characters and the thematic topic?  How does the symbolic nature of these objects or ideas support my thesis?  Specific examples from the text:

PUTTING IT INTO THE ORGANIZER: POINT 1: MYRTLEPOINT 2: GATSBYPOINT 3: SYMBOLS HOOK 1: The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg stare ominously over the desolate landscape of the Valley of Ashes. They watch as despair overtakes Gatsby's world in the wake of a tragic accident. As the Valley of Ashes claims yet another dream, Gatsby comes to the realization this so called "dream" was never more than an illusion hovering just out of reach. THESIS: F. Scott Fitzgerald employs complex symbolism and his characters' struggle against reality in The Great Gatsby to highlight that the pursuit of an impossible dream ultimately leads to one's destruction.

YOUR TURN…  Look at your hook and your thesis.  Do your hooks all introduce the general idea/thematic topic of your paper in a creative engaging way?  IF YES WRITE ALL EXAMPLES INTO THE ORGANIZER.  IF NO REWRITE THEM SO THEY DO.  Does your thesis introduce the specific purpose of your paper (analyzing OMAM for a theme)?  Your job is to now take the GENERAL literary elements you chose to analyze and find specific examples in the book that represent these elements.  After you have done this I want you to write the series of questions just like I did to come up with the general points to put into the creating context section of your intro organizer.  When you have completed all these steps including writing and answering the general questions you may get an organizer from Mr. Wilson to start working on.

NOW FOR THE CONCLUSION…. JUST THE OPPOSITE OF THE INTRO – MOVE FROM SPECIFIC TO GENERAL Most General information to conclude the paragraph: 2-3 sentences leaving the audience with a thought about your general topic. Have them walking away with something to think about. Review major points: 3-4 sentences summing up your major points and support.. Restate thesis “Bumper Sticker Quote: Use a quote that solidifies the argument you made and sticks with the audience.