Writing the Introductory Paragraph

Writing the Introductory Paragraph Identifying the general topic. Introducing the material. Writing the Thesis sentence. Honors Sophomore English

Some general rules… • An introduction needs to be a complete paragraph—at least 5 sentences. • Introductions begin by discussing the essay topic in the most general way—2 to 3 sentences. • You must mention the work (novel or play) and author—1 sentence. • The last sentence is the thesis sentence. Honors Sophomore English

Identifying the general topic • The first thing you need to do is identify the general topic in the essay prompt. • Look at the essay prompt on the next page and in one word, answer the following question. . . • What is the general topic? Honors Sophomore English

Essay prompt... Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or a play that contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work. Honors Sophomore English

What is the general topic? • In one word, the topic of this essay is setting. • The prompt specifies this when it says: “Many plays and novels use contrasting places to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work.” • Addressing this prompt successfully requires you to discuss setting. Honors Sophomore English

Step one: introducing the topic • Think about the importance of setting. • How did the author use it in the work you are discussing? • Was the setting significant or distinctive in some way? If so, how? • Having given setting some thought, write three good sentences about the importance of setting. Honors Sophomore English

Step one example: One of the most significant factors in many literary works is the setting. Not only does setting provide the background to the action of the work, it also provides the author with another way to develop both character and meaning. By paying careful attention to the place or places where the action of a novel occurs, a reader can discover a deeper understanding of the author's purpose. Honors Sophomore English

Notice that the title of the book does NOT appear in the first sentence. All of what is here is the writer’s opinion. The sentences actually say something, they don’t just babble. Some important points… One of the most significant factors in many literary works is the setting. Not only does setting provide the background to the action of the work, it also provides the author with another way to develop both character and meaning. By paying careful attention to the place or places where the action of a novel occurs, a reader can discover a deeper understanding of the author's purpose. Honors Sophomore English

Step two: Introducing the work and author • Now that you have addressed the topic of the prompt, you are ready to introduce both the author and the work you are discussing. • This should be done at this point in the paragraph and nowhere else! • One sentence should do it. Honors Sophomore English

Step two example: This is the case in William Shakespeare's play “The Merchant of Venice.” Or An example of a careful use of setting is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. Honors Sophomore English

Adding the two steps: One of the most significant factors in many literary works is the setting. Not only does setting provide the background to the action of the work, it also provides the author with another way to develop both character and meaning. By paying careful attention to the place or places where the action of a novel occurs, a reader can discover a deeper understanding of the author's purpose. An example of a careful use of setting is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. Honors Sophomore English

Step three: The thesis sentence. • The thesis should be the last sentence in your introductory paragraph. • The thesis is your point, your “answer” to the essay prompt. • It should be one, declarative sentence, that “answers” the prompt with your opinion. Honors Sophomore English

(continued) • The thesis is the most significant sentence in the entire essay. • It must take what you have said about setting and tell the reader how you think the author uses setting to develop meaning. • You must make this sentence count! Honors Sophomore English

Go back and read the prompt completely. Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or a play that contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work. Honors Sophomore English

Note the following: Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or a play that contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work. Honors Sophomore English

An effective thesis will “answer” this prompt. • What is the meaning of the novel or play? • How is setting related to the meaning? • What is the meaning of the novel or play? • Does the author use the setting in any unusual or creative ways? • What is the meaning of the novel or play? • How is setting used to develop the author’s meaning? Honors Sophomore English

Step three example: Although Venice and Belmont appear insignificant as just backdrops to the action, these two places represent conflicting male and female forces in the play. Or While closely related and seemingly insignificant, the conflict between the orderly “adult” world of Athens with the youthful “chaos” of the forest provides Shakespeare with the chance to demonstrate that love is never easy. Honors Sophomore English

Note the following: • There is no one “right” answer to the question “what is the author’s meaning.” • Both thesis sentences begin with “although” statements. This gives the thesis depth and provides the writer with a little “wiggle room.” • Both sentences answer the prompt—both tell the reader what the writer thinks the author’s meaning is. Honors Sophomore English

The final product: One of the most significant factors in many literary works is the setting. Not only does setting provide the background to the action of the work, it also provides the author with another way to develop both character and meaning. By paying careful attention to the place or places where the action of a novel occurs, a reader can discover a deeper understanding of the author's purpose. An example of a careful use of setting is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. While closely related and seemingly insignificant, the conflict between the orderly “adult” world of Athens with the youthful “chaos” of the forest provides Shakespeare with the chance to demonstrate that love is never easy. Honors Sophomore English

Summary • A properly constructed essay introduction identifies the writers point. • It structures the essay for the reader in advance. • It contains the thesis sentence which is the guiding and governing idea for the whole essay. Honors Sophomore English

Writing the Introductory Paragraph