1. Introductory Paragraph
Book Analysis

2. What is the purpose of an introduction?
An introductory paragraph catches the reader’s interest, provides essential background information, and prepares the reader for what’s ahead (thesis).

3. What should be included in your introduction?
A hook
Introduce title and author
Background information
Characters
Context
THESIS STATEMENT

4. The Hook Never, EVER use a question Should be a general statement
Can be a fact or interesting bit of information
A meaningful quotation
Can be from the novel
Can be a different quote that is relevant to the topic

5. Background Information/Context
Introduce the character(s) that will be mentioned in the essay
Any other relevant information the reader needs to know about the novel (i.e., setting)

6. EXAMPLE
Knowledge is power. During the nineteenth century in the United States, slave masters prevented their slaves from learning to read and write as a tool of exclusion in a culture that was dominated by white males. In The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass explores the importance of literacy as a path to freedom and has an awakening that encourages him to educate himself. Although literacy does not provide immediate liberty, it gives him the will to try and escape. He goes against his master’s wishes and learns how to read and write. Douglass emphasizes the importance of literacy in his autobiography because it helps him to realize his humanity and it gives him the strength to escape from slavery, ultimately showing that slavery and education are not compatible.

7. THESIS STATEMENT
Your thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introduction.
If you have already introduced the title and author of the novel, you do not need to include it again here.

8. Other Information STAY IN 3RD PERSON!
Never say “I”
Don’t give away too much information in the intro.
Make sure everything preceding the thesis flows and ultimately connects to the thesis.
Does not need to be a “full” paragraph
4-6 sentences