PURPOSE: The purpose of the introduction to any essay is
to get the reader’s attention creatively and to introduce the main idea of the
essay.
There are three sections to an
introduction; they need to be linked closely so that each section flows into
the next section with a common thread:
A. The
OPENER: It would, of course, be good to begin with
an effective attention getter. The
attention getter should be original, specific, accurate, relevant, and useful.
Here
are some options:
a definition
an anecdote
a fact/observation/statement
a quotation (from another
literary work/notable person)
an allusion
a thought-provoking question
Example Topic: self-sacrifice
A
Quotation
Famous American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once suggested, “Self-sacrifice is the real miracle out of
which all the reported miracles grow.” In the novel...
B.
The IDENTIFICATION: This part of the
intro. links the OPENER to the THESIS (see below) by narrowing the scope of
the essay/topic and providing pertinent information to aid in understanding
the upcoming THESIS.
Here are some
things you must include:
title (in italics!!)
author
Here are some
things you should include:
the issue/topic under
discussion
background
information for the novel/topic
Example Topic: self-sacrifice
In the novel Les
Miserables, Victor Hugo allows many of his characters to sacrifice for
other characters. These sacrifices are not small things done to affect the
characters’ lives themselves; these sacrifices are made by characters choosing
to make life-changing decisions to help others.
C. THESIS!
1.
A thesis
is NOT the whole essay; a thesis is the main idea, often expressed in a single
sentence.
2.
A thesis
can also be thought of as the main argument of your paper
3.
A thesis
should NOT be a laundry list of your
main points
4.
It should merely set up the topic
and give any general information the listener needs to know.
5.
Every
topic paragraph should clearly support your thesis – create strong links that
return to what you are explaining throughout your paper.
Example thesis about self-sacrifice.
Victor Hugo illustrates the theme of self-sacrifice to show that everyone should sacrifice for others whether loved ones or strangers
Sample Introduction:
OPENER in bold
IDENTIFICATION in italics
THESIS underlined
"Self-sacrifice
is defined by the dictionary as the sacrifice, or giving up, of one’s interests
or wants for the good of another. However, it is not just one’s wants or
interests that may be sacrificed, but one’s life may be on the line, too. In
his marvelous novel Les Misérables,
Victor Hugo has several of his characters sacrifice for others. These are not
little sacrifices by any means; these sacrifices are life-threatening. These
characters who sacrifice themselves for others make incredibly risky decisions,
which may be totally life-altering in order to help another. Victor Hugo
illustrates the theme of self-sacrifice to show that everyone should sacrifice
for others whether loved ones or strangers."
(Stacey, Annie 2012)
