Introductions, Body Paragraphs, And Conclusions

 Introductions “hook” your readers and get them excited about your companion essay

 Begin with a good lead ◦ Provide a compelling or surprising fact or statistic ◦ Rhetorical question ◦ Include an “imagine this” scenario ◦ Story-tell an anecdote or scene ◦ Include an epigraph—a brief quotation that connects to a key theme or issue within your topic

 Then introduce the author and the title of the book  Then give a brief summary of the entire book ◦ 3-4 sentences in length

 Then, give a preview of what’s to come ◦ What will your chapters contain? ◦ What do your chapters have to offer?

 “The Stolen Party” by Liliana Heker introduces Rosaura, a protagonist who dreams big. In the first scene, Heker shows the reader that this young girl hopes to be rich someday like her friend Luciana. Luciana is having a birthday party and Rosaura has been invited. Rosaura’s mother, a maid for Luciana’s family, doubts that this invitation is real. The story unfolds as Rosaura attends the party and believes she belongs, but the author lets the reader see that the mother may have been right. By the end, this story has turned tragic, and Rosaura is forced to face the fact that her dreams were pure fantasy.

In this companion book, you will read about the complicated relationships that the author develops in this story. These have twists and turns that are worth thinking about. You will also read interpretations of key settings and images—how these are symbolic in the story. And finally, you will get a real treat: a chance to read a fan fiction scene that is not in the original story, but helps explore Rosaura’s friendship with Luciana. This book will make you think even more about this powerful story, and the effective craft of Liliana Heker.

 Begin with your BIG IDEA or POINT of the following paragraphs (TOPIC SENTENCE) ◦ Example: Setting played a major role in the short story, “To Build a Fire”.

 Then begin with your first piece of support ◦ Explain/summarize the support (include direct quote) ◦ Then explain HOW this evidence supports your BIG IDEA  Then move onto your 2 nd piece of evidence ◦ Do the same thing as you did with your 1 st piece of evidence (follow directions above)  Then move onto your 3 rd piece of evidence ◦ Do the same thing as you did with your 1 st piece of evidence (follow directions above)  End with a concluding statement that begins with “therefore”

 Wrap it up! ◦ Restate your claim ◦ Restate you main points ◦ End with a strong ending

 End with a prediction  Provide a compelling statistic, fact, or anecdote  Include an “imagine this” scenario  Pose questions for the reader to think about  Connect back to the beginning of the essay  Explain (or restate) the importance of the information you have brought up  Leave readers with something new to think about  Call readers to action (using the theme or lesson of the story you discussed)

Liliana Heker gives the reader a lot to think about in the short story “The Stolen Party.” Rosaura’s dream to fit in with her wealthy friend’s family and life is crushed. Rosaura’s mother is proved right, but is sadder because of this. Is the lesson of this heart wrenching tale “Don’t dream big?” Perhaps. Or it may be the kind of story where there is no easy lesson to learn. Instead, it might be a reminder that it hurts to be used by others.