Crafting the Introduction ZHS English I Department Freshman Academy

Purpose The purpose of writing a good introduction to your essay is to grab your reader's attention To begin to layout what you have to say about an aspect of your chosen theme from Unit 3 as it is developed through your character in an organized, concise—and above all, engaging—manner.

QTA How will you introduce your character and his/her aspirations and ambitions to your reader? How will you introduce the role or theme of the American Experience and its relationship to your character? How will you maximize the chances of your reader's acceptance of your analysis of your character with your introduction?

Ways To Begin Quotation Provocative Statement Metaphor Anecdote No Questions! This is an elementary way to begin your introduction. We have moved on from this easy/baby way of beginning introductions in our writings! Thank You!

Quotation Lead off with a quotation from the play or from an authority which leads into your thesis statement. In his Introduction to A Raisin in the Sun, Robert Nemiroff (Lorraine Hansberry’s husband) says, “the play presaged the revolution in black and women’s consciousness.”

Provocative Statement Make a provocative statement(provokes reaction)- a statement that will make the reader think about the topic. "It is often the role of young people to question authority and the status quo."

Metaphor The metaphor comparison gives the reader a visual to connect to the big idea. "Imagine a well cared-for plant that has been nurtured and loved, but is actually being threatened from blossoming because of weeds and worms that are eating away at its roots. Beneatha’s ambitions for the future are similar to this threatened plant.”

Anecdote An Anecdote is a short interesting story about a real incident related to the topic. If you have observed or experienced something personally that can demonstrate why the topic interests you, then your reader will likely be interested as well. "For years my sister has refused to conform to what my parents and the rest of society think she should be and do…"

Background After the attention grabber, you should include background information relevant to your thesis and necessary for the reader to understand the position you are taking. African Americans began fighting for civil rights and women began questioning their roles as second-class citizens. In many ways, the civil rights and women’s movements exposed how the so-called “American Dream” was not open to all people equally. Stereotypes about what African Americans and women were capable of often kept Blacks and women from pursuing and achieving their ambitions to rise above being menial servants or housekeepers. This information may cause you to conduct some research. The background information should lead into your thesis statement.

Sample Introduction When A Raisin in the Sun was written (1959), American society was on the brink of major cultural and historical upheavals as the civil rights and women’s movements began to gain momentum. Attention Grabber: Provocative Statement African Americans began fighting for civil rights and women began questioning their roles as second-class citizens. In many ways, the civil rights and women’s movements exposed how the so-called “American Dream” was not open to all people equally. Stereotypes about what African Americans and women were capable of often kept Blacks and women from pursuing and achieving their ambitions to rise above being menial servants or housekeepers. Background Info: Leads into the thesis statement. Does it connect to the thesis? In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha is the perfect example of a character who struggles against racism and sexism as she attempts to fulfill her ambitions. Thesis Statement: This connects to the background information.

Independent and Group Activity: Crafting the Introduction Independent Activity Group Activity On the Handout provided, write your sample attention grabber. Pass your paper to the person on your left. You will have 5 min. to peer edit one of your group member’s attention grabber. After time is called, return the paper to its owner. Rewrite your attention grabber to be checked by the teacher.

Independent and Group Activity: Crafting the Introduction Independent Activity Group Activity On the Handout provided, write your introduction including your attention grabber, background information, and thesis statement. Pass your paper to the person on your left. You will have 5-7 min. to peer edit one of your group member’s introduction. After time is called, return the paper to its owner. Rewrite your introduction.