Hook-Bridge-Thesis: Mastering the introductory paragraph
CJ—perspective “We all get so caught up in the moment of what we're doing every day, it's hard to hit that reset button and get pulled away from all that and see life from a different perspective.” ~Tony Stewart Write what this quote means in your own words. What pieces of your life do you need to change your perspective? What can changing our perspective do for us?
CJs 3/23Captivity 3/26 Takers and Leavers 4/2 Selfless acts 4/5 Overpopulation 4/9 Perspectives
Literary Analysis Essay: Outlining Highlight the key words in your chosen prompt. In other words, what is the prompt asking you to do? Now, mark your text with this prompt in mind. Look for instances in which the author deals with what the prompt is asking you to do. In your first box, choose THREE ways that the author illustrates this topic. Label this box supporting points. In your second box, explain why you chose each. Label this box commentary. In your third box, Select two quotes to support EACH point. Write these on your graphic organizer. (six quotes total) Label this box supporting evidence.
Use your brainstorming to write a THESIS statement. Now, on your outline, use your notes, timed writings, and the formula below to write your thesis: Topic/observation + power verb + meaning/purpose What observation can you make about the short story The protagonist of Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Storm” has a brief, yet powerful sexual tryst with an old lover… Now pick a power verb: conveys, demonstrates, depicts, illustrates, enlightens, creates, develops, justifies, informs, represents, exhibits etc. challenging What is the purpose--what did he hope to gain or persuade people to do or think? societal gender roles and depicting women as having identity and purpose beyond their roles as wife and mother. Write this thesis in your fourth box. Label this box thesis. Impacted 13. Commanded Motivated 14. Declared Allowed 15. Developed Granted 16. Inspired Created 17. Produced Changed 18. Ordered Resulted in 19. Presented Produced 20. Established Triggered 21. Limited Contributed 22. Made Led to 23. Moved Influenced 24. Increased
Now, put it together: The protagonist of Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Storm” has a brief, yet powerful sexual tryst with an old lover challenging societal gender roles and depicting women as having an identity and purpose beyond their roles as wife and mother. Chopin reveals this theme through religious symbolism associated with Calixta as well as the powerful and provocative diction surrounding the storm, itself.
Introductory Paragraph Let’s work on establishing a hook for your essay. Choose ONE of the options below to begin your essay: An analogy or important image/symbol you will revisit throughout the essay (What important images/symbols are present in the story?) A brief discussion of an idea/concept that is central to your thesis (What is the role of the individual in society? If you do this, you have to tie every point back to it.) This “hook” should be no more than 2-3 sentences long. A thunderstorm can be a destructive force, it is true, but a momentary passing cloud can also offer a refuge from the day-to-day routine. It can become a passionate and much-needed respite from the drudgery of daily existence.
Bridge Now that you have a hook, you need to create a bridge that leads smoothly into your thesis statement: Remember my hook? A thunderstorm can be a destructive force, it is true, but a momentary passing cloud can also offer a refuge from the day-to-day routine. It can become a passionate and much-needed respite from the drudgery of daily existence. A bridge could be: A brief, yet powerful storm functions as just such a break in routine in Kate Chopin’s short story.
Completed Intro Hook A thunderstorm can be a destructive force, it is true, but a momentary passing cloud can also offer a refuge from the day-to- day routine. It can become a passionate and much-needed respite from the drudgery of daily existence. A brief, yet potent storm functions as just such a break in routine in Kate Chopin’s short story of the same name. The protagonist of Chopin’s short story, “The Storm” has a momentary, yet self-affirming sexual tryst with an old lover, challenging societal gender roles and depicting women as having an identity and purpose beyond their roles as wife and mother. Chopin reveals this theme through religious symbolism associated with Calixta as well as the powerful and provocative diction surrounding the storm, itself. Bridge Thesis
Body #1 Let’s work on your topic sentence. This sentence should be VERY clear in establishing your topic (look at your outline—what is strategy #1?). Now, you want to introduce this topic—but make it interesting, don’t just rewrite ideas from your thesis. EXAMPLE Strategy: religious symbolism Topic Sentence: The use of religious imagery in association with Calixta and Alcée’s sexual encounter implies that their actions are not sinful, but rather sacred in nature.
Body #1 Continued Topic Sentence: The use of religious imagery in association with Calixta and Alcée’s sexual encounter implies that their actions are not sinful, but rather sacred in nature. Now, follow this idea up with a quote from the text. Do not “drop” it in—imbed it into your own writing. Lead in + quote. As the sexual affair begins, Alcee recalls the “Assumption” and Calixta is described as an “immaculate dove” and a “passionate creature,” showing that Calixta’s sexuality is not sinful, but a vital and even sacred part of her identity (2). Now, in about two sentences, you need to explain this quote—how does it support your idea from the previous sentence AND how does it tie into your thesis? Remember to use “spicy” or in-depth commentary that specifically analyzes the quote rather than restates it. By articulating Calixta with the Assumption in which Mary was taken up to Heaven, Chopin essentially equates her heroine to Madonna and her sexual encounter with her lover as a divine experience. Furthermore, Chopin’s use of the words “immaculate” and “dove,” reaffirm Calixta’s purity and further sanctify the sexual act as a holy and even religious experience. (Additional quote/+2 commentary) Concluding sentence: Chopin uses religious symbolism not to connote sins of the flesh, but rather to exalt and celebrate Calixta’s sexual liberation and personal freedom as a woman.
BODY #1 continued You’re halfway done!! Now, introduce your second idea from the text, be specific (don’t use a quote yet). Now, follow this idea up with a different quote from the text. Do not “drop” it in— imbed it into your own writing. Now…that’s right, explain that sucker! Remember to stay focused on the ideas from your thesis.
BODY #1 continued Great! You’ve provided support for your ideas, now you need… Yep! A concluding thought. Look at your topic sentence and go back to that idea/assertion. End with a strong final thought on why this idea is important or essential to society.
For Tomorrow: Complete introduction and TWO body paragraphs! Essay will follow a five paragraph format: *Introduction *Body Paragraph 1(8 sentences minimum) *Body Paragraph 2(8 sentences minimum) *Body Paragraph 3 (8 sentences minimum) *Conclusion