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Writing Introductions. Getting Off to a Good Start. Structure. Introductions have four parts: general statement background information thesis statement organizing statement It’s like a funnel: It starts broad and becomes narrow. The General Statement. A general statement:
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Writing Introductions Getting Off to a Good Start
Structure • Introductions have four parts: • general statement • background information • thesis statement • organizing statement • It’s like a funnel: It starts broad and becomes narrow.
The General Statement • A general statement: • grabs the reader’s attention. • relates to the main topic of the essay, as expressed in the thesis. • should be broad (or general) in nature. • A general statement DOES NOT: • discuss the chosen literary work. • present the thesis or argument. • There are different strategies for writing general statements.
The General Statement • General statements can be: • Definitions of key concepts • Explanations of key concepts • An observation about life • Remember, keep it general.
Sample General Statements: • Definition: • Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines racism as “the belief that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” • Explanation: • Christ-like figures are literary characters whose actions and lives parallel those of Jesus Christ or other spiritual figures. • Observation: • Throughout literature, there are many characters who share similarities with Jesus Christ.
Background Information • The background information section: • identifies the title, genre, and author of the work to be discussed. • provides a brief, relevant summary of the work for the reader
First Sentence: Transition • Transition from the general statement. This makes the paragraph flow naturally. • In this sentence, name the title, genre, and author. • Watch out for the following: • Use the author’s full name the first time you name him/her. Use the last name for subsequent mentions. • Punctuation: • Names of long works (novels, epic poems, plays, etc.) go in italics! • Names of short works (poems, short stories, songs, etc.) go in quotation marks!
Second Sentence and Beyond • After transitioning, summarize the relevant points of the work’s plot. • Keep the summary short. It can be done in two to three sentences at a max. • Give the general context. • If there are subplots that are not part of your proofs, do not mention them. • Make sure to show events from the beginning, middle, and end of the plot that are relevant.
Background Information Example One such figure in contemporary literature can be found in the novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. The novel, which is the culminating narrative in a series of seven books, focuses on the efforts of Harry Potter and his friends to destroy the evil Lord Voldemort. In doing so, they travel to distant places searching for pieces of black magic and ultimately participate in an immense battle between the forces of Voldemort and the good members of the wizarding world.
Transition to Thesis • After the background information, the introduction should move into the thesis. • BUT, since you don’t want to give your reader whiplash, you need to transition. • The transition can be an entire sentence or a phrase in the thesis.
Transitions: See the Difference? • In doing so, they travel to distant places searching for pieces of black magic and ultimately participate in an immense battle between the forces of Voldemort and the good members of the wizarding world. Throughout the novel, Harry Potter shows himself to be a Christ-like figure. • In doing so, they travel to distant places searching for pieces of black magic and ultimately participate in an immense battle between the forces of Voldemort and the good members of the wizarding world. Harry Potter shows himself to be a Christ-like figure. YES! NO!
Thesis Statement • The thesis statement clearly identifies the argument of the essay. • It comes at the end of the introduction.
Thesis Statement • Thesis statements must be: • specific • clear • arguable • Example: • Throughout the novel, Harry Potter shows himself to be a Christ-like figure.
Organizing Statement • The organizing statement names the two or three proofs that support the thesis. • It is the last sentence of the introduction. • Proofs can also appear in the thesis. Then, there would not be a need for an organizing statement.
Organizing Statement • Example: • Harry is guided by the spirit of his father and sacrifices himself for the greater good. • After the organizing statement: • DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WRITE ANY MORE IN THE INTRODUCTION! • HIT THE “ENTER” BUTTON! • YOU ARE FINISHED WITH THE INTRODUCTION!
The Whole Introduction: • Christ-like figures are literary characters whose actions and lives parallel those of Jesus Christ or other spiritual figures. One such figure in contemporary literature can be found in the novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. The novel, which is the culminating narrative in a series of seven books, focuses on the efforts of Harry Potter and his friends to destroy the evil Lord Voldemort. In doing so, they travel to distant places searching for pieces of black magic and ultimately participate in an immense battle between the forces of Voldemort and the good members of the wizarding world. Throughout the novel, Harry Potter shows himself to be a Christ-like figure. Harry is guided by the spirit of his father and sacrifices himself for the greater good.
