Introductions & Conclusions … of argumentative essays & analysis.

Introductions Purpose: To introduce reader to your topic and provide background/context to the argument. What does it Contain? ●Opening Statement ●Background and Context ●Thesis

Opening Statement Purpose: To grab readers attention and inform them of the topic being discussed or argued. What topic will your paper discuss? Example: With each major and minor event of our lives comes a change to our beliefs, we call this change development.

Background & Context Purpose: Inform readers of the different sides of an argument, provide background to a story. What is the story about? What are the sides of the argument? Example: We see this development in Rainsford, the protagonist from Richard Connell’s short story, “The Most Dangerous Game.” In this story, Rainsford initially believes that animals have no feeling, but with a turning of the tides, Rainsford finds himself in the position of the prey. Some argue that, though his experience is intense and nearly fatal, he does not change his mind regarding animals. However, this can be disproved.

Thesis Purpose: To provide a one sentence claim that you will prove throughout your paper. It is the inference you are making about the text. What is your opinion? Example: Looking at how Rainsford finds himself in the wild with only his instincts, his position as prey to Zaroff, and his final animalistic act, readers will see that Rainsford has no other option other than to change his mind regarding animal feelings.

Opening Statement→ Background & Context→ Thesis With each major and minor event of our lives comes a change to our beliefs, we call this change development. We see this development in Rainsford, the protagonist, from Richard Connell’s short story, “The Most Dangerous Game.” In this story, Rainsford initially believes that animals have no feeling, but with a turning of the tides, Rainsford finds himself in the position of the prey. Some argue that, though his experience is intense and nearly fatal, he does not change his mind regarding animals. However, this can be disproved. Looking at how Rainsford handles himself in the wild with only his instincts, his position as prey to Zaroff, and his final animalistic act, readers will see that Rainsford has no other option other than to change his mind regarding animal feelings.

Conclusions Purpose: To introduce remind the reader of what has been discussed and bring them to a close. What does it Contain? ●Restate Thesis ●Summarize reasons/points made ●Closing Statement

1st-Restate Thesis Original: Looking at how Rainsford finds himself in the wild with only his instincts, his position as prey to Zaroff, and his final animalistic act, readers will see that Rainsford has no other option other than to change his mind regarding animal feelings. Restated: In all, Rainsford’s experience as the prey has led him to a him to a new understanding of animals and the way they think and feel.

2nd- Summarize Body It is through having to simply survive in the wild that Rainsford learns the anxiety of finding food and place to stay. However, it is his experience as the prey in which he learns of the fear and terror of being stalked, trapped, and even toyed with for the pleasure of the hunter. And yet, it is in his last act in which he truly becomes animal. It is here, that he proves he must act on his fears to do what every animal must--- save themselves.

3rd-Closing Statement So just as we change in real life with our experiences, so too does Rainsford finally come to find what it means to walk in another’s shoes (or paws) and see the terror that an animal really can feel.

Restate Thesis→ Summarize→ Closing Statement In all, Rainsford’s experience as the prey has led him to a him to a new understanding of animals and the way they think and feel. It is through having to simply survive in the wild that Rainsford learns the anxiety of finding food and place to stay. However, it is his experience as the prey in which he learns of the fear and terror of being stalked, trapped, and even toyed with for the pleasure of the hunter. And yet, it is in his last act in which he truly becomes animal. It is here, that he proves he must act on his fears to do what every animal must--- save themselves. So just as we change in real life with our experiences, so too does Rainsford finally come to find what it means to walk in another’s shoes (or paws) and see the terror that an animal really can feel.