Writing Workshop Objective: At the end of today’s class, know how to write a kick-ass introduction.

Why write a good introduction? You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your introduction is an important road map for the rest of your paper. Ideally, your introduction will make your readers want to read your paper. Why write a good introduction?

The Elements of an Introduction The Hook introduces a broad topic or idea that is related to your essay The “Bridge” narrows the big idea by connecting it to the literary work you are discussing The Thesis the specific idea that you are discussing in the essay The Elements of an Introduction

Hook > Bridge > Thesis Outside the protective embrace of civilization, can human morality survive? In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding a group of British school boys find themselves stranded on an island. The boys struggle to stay alive and maintain a civilized state while their morality is tested as their society begins to fall apart. Jack proved to have weak morals; once his surroundings changed and no longer supported his moral beliefs, he lost control of himself and became the savage no one ever believes they will become. Hook > Bridge > Thesis

This essay traces Jack’s descent into savagery via an analysis of three factors: his weak morals, the change in his surroundings, and his increasing loss of control. Optional: A “Road Map”