Literary analysis: Introductory paragraph Del Norte High School English Department

Purpose of Intro Paragraph  The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay  It must …  Grab your readers’ attention by introducing the topic you are writing about in an interesting way  Narrow to the subject/theme of your essay by giving necessary background information  State your thesis clearly

Grab attention Try…  Startling Statistic  Fascinating Fact  Quality Quotation   Historical Background  Definition  Vivid description of setting (when writing about literature)

Narrow your subject/theme Bridge (transition) from your attention getter to the background Give necessary background information ◦Author ◦Title ◦Setting ◦Main characters ◦Plot/conflict ◦Supporting evidence (character who is the subject of characterization, theme, etc.)

Thesis statement Addresses the given prompt Makes an “argument” ◦Includes your analysis of the characters and how they develop a theme Includes specific names of characters you will analyze EXAMPLE: o Steinbeck uses the anonymous character of Curley’s wife to inform his readers that because opportunities are short-lived, one should utilize them when they appear, otherwise he may become acrimonious. o Steinbeck asserts through George and Lennie that no matter how much time and preparation is put into achieving dreams, fate always makes the final decision.

Example for literary analysis Fate is unavoidable, predetermined, destiny. Dreams are hopes, aspirations, and visions. Dreams are always intertwined with fate, never having the chance to break free, and always in its embrace. Centering on migrant workers and those at society’s fringe during the Great Depression, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men documents the journey of two men. George and Lennie, though contrasting in so many ways, are bonded by friendship and motivated to achieve their dream- to “live offa the fatta the lan’”. Like the other ranch workers, they long to abandon their drab, difficult life working on other’s land and work their own land. In every effort to move the dream forward, George is always set back by Lennie who accidentally causes trouble with his inability to understand the world. Nevertheless, they believe and trust in their eventual success. But no matter how hard the pair work, no matter how much they prepare, George and Lennie are constantly in the palm of fate, never to escape, and their aspirations crushed. Steinbeck asserts through George and Lennie that no matter how much time and preparation is put into achieving dreams, fate always makes the final decision.

Let’s Break it down: Grab Attention  Definition Fate is unavoidable, predetermined, destiny. Dreams are hopes, aspirations, and visions.

Let’s break it down: Narrow the subject  Bridge between AG and background information: Dreams are always intertwined with fate, never having the chance to break free, and always in its embrace.

Let’s Break it down: Narrow the subject Give background information about the book (author, title, setting, main characters, plot) Centering on migrant workers and those at society’s fringe during the Great Depression, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men documents the journey of two men. George and Lennie, though contrasting in so many ways, are bonded by friendship and motivated to achieve their dream- to “live offa the fatta the lan’”. Like the other ranch workers, they long to abandon their drab, difficult life working on other’s land and work their own land.

Let’s Break it down: narrow the subject– focus on your theme Introduce specific topic for your essay. In every effort to move the dream forward, George is always set back by Lennie who accidentally causes trouble with his inability to understand the world. Nevertheless, they believe and trust in their eventual success. But no matter how hard the pair work, no matter how much they prepare, George and Lennie are constantly in the palm of fate, never to escape, and their aspirations crushed.

Let’s Break it down: Thesis The thesis Steinbeck asserts through George and Lennie that no matter how much time and preparation is put into achieving dreams, fate always makes the final decision.

Put it together again Fate is unavoidable, predetermined, destiny. Dreams are hopes, aspirations, and visions. Dreams are always intertwined with fate, never having the chance to break free, and always in its embrace. Centering on migrant workers and those at society’s fringe during the Great Depression, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men documents the journey of two men. George and Lennie, though contrasting in so many ways, are bonded by friendship and motivated to achieve their dream- to “live offa the fatta the lan’”. Like the other ranch workers, they long to abandon their drab, difficult life working on other’s land and work their own land. In every effort to move the dream forward, George is always set back by Lennie who accidentally causes trouble with his inability to understand the world. Nevertheless, they believe and trust in their eventual success. But no matter how hard the pair work, no matter how much they prepare, George and Lennie are constantly in the palm of fate, never to escape, and their aspirations crushed. Steinbeck asserts through George and Lennie that no matter how much time and preparation is put into achieving dreams, fate always makes the final decision.

You try… Grab Attention:

You try… Narrow the Subject ◦Bridge between AG and background ◦Book Background (setting, main characters, plot): ◦Introduce theme for your essay:

You try… Thesis

Put it all together… 1. Attention Grabber: 2. Bridge Sentence: 3. Book Background: 4. Introduce the specific theme of the essay: 5. Thesis: