How to write an Introductory paragraph “One today is worth two tomorrows.” Ben Franklin

When you write an introductory paragraph, keep in mind that . . . Writing an introductory paragraph is like greeting someone. The paragraph should be short and to the point like saying, “Hello!” Also, you don’t want to get into the meat of the essay. Simply give the audience a concise idea of your essay’s purpose.

Remember that the introductory paragraph . . . Is the most important paragraph of the essay Needs to be at least 6 sentences long Needs to do three things Hook the reader with something interesting that is connected to your overall topic Briefly introduce the story Cleary state your thesis/argument. What are you trying to prove?

Thesis Statements Your thesis statement is the most important part of your essay since it is the statement you are trying to prove. For your essay, your thesis statement should include the THEME as well as the LITERARY device you will be discussing.

Thesis Statements Your thesis should use the following format: Name of the story + literary device + theme For example: In “Just Lather, That’s All,” the author uses characterization to illustrate the idea that killing isn’t easy.

Thesis Statements You try: In ______________, the author uses ________________ to prove/illustrate the idea that_________________________.

Intro Paragraph The thesis statement is the last sentence of your introduction. First you need to have a hook, and a brief summary of the story.

Let us consider different types of hooks. . . General statement introduction (big idea) Introduce an idea to contradict Quotation introduction Question introduction There are other ways to begin an introductory paragraph, but these three ways will do for now.

Examples of general statement introduction Almost every time that you turn on the television you will find a number of shows which are extremely violent. Many public schools have decided that their students should use uniforms. In the United States of America the public burning of our flag has become a common sight. (These are three different example of how you can begin your paragraph. If you will notice in the first sentence you simply introduce a topic that will be considered throughout your paper.

Introduce and idea to contradict In contemporary America, most people believe that there is no such thing as a perfect marriage. However, in Victorian Norway, they did not hold the same beliefs. Many people believe that they are outside the influence of their society—they are individuals shaped only by their own personality. Henrik Isben’s A Doll’s House suggests that everyone is far more shaped by their society than they may realize.

Quotation introduction A recent article in Time magazine states that the viewing of extremely violent television shows is the number one cause of violence in our inner cities. The Monitor recently conducted a study and concluded that students in public schools where uniforms are mandatory have less problems and perform better academically.

Examples of question introduction Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence on prime time television? Do you think that to improve our public school education the students should be required to wear uniforms?

Brief Introduction of the story After the hook, you need to have a brief summary of the story. This should be no more than 2 sentences. For example: In the story “Just Lather, That’s All”, a rebel barber has to decide whether or not to kill his enemy when he comes in for a shave.

Quotation introduction “Life…is composed of the most unpredictable, disparate, and contradictory elements,” according to Guy de Maupassant.  “It is brutal, inconsequential, and disconnected, full of inexplicable, illogical catastrophes” (“The Writer’s Goal" 897).  Utterly to the point with his words, Guy de Maupassant’s fame as a writer stems from his “direct and simple way” of telling readers what he observed (Chopin 861).  His short story, “The Necklace,” is no exception.  “The Necklace” is evidence of the literary realism that dominated literature during the 19th century. In “The Necklace,” Maupassant describes an unhappy woman, born to a poor family and married to a poor husband, who suffers “ceaselessly” from her lower-class lifestyle, “[…] feeling herself born for all the delicacies and all the luxuries”  (Maupassant 524).  Through the unfolding of the plot and the exquisite characterization of Mathilde and her husband, Maupassant offers readers a dramatic account of what could happen when a person is not satisfied with her place in life. Hook Introduce the story Thesis sentence

Final reminders !!!! Be concise and to the point! Do not go into too much detail! You must do three things . . . HOOK YOUR READER Introduce your story/book Include a thesis that states your argument and what you’re trying to prove Final reminders !!!!