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Intro paragraphs. Intro paragraphs – What are they and what do they do?. Foundation of your paper Introduce your thesis…this will come later Present the upcoming structure of your paper. Starting off.
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Intro paragraphs – What are they and what do they do? • Foundation of your paper • Introduce your thesis…this will come later • Present the upcoming structure of your paper
Starting off • While intro paragraphs can be taught and structured in many different and appropriate ways, this is what you want to think of:
The funnel • Fancy definition: A cone-shaped utensil with a tube at the apex for conductingliquidorother substance through a small opening, as into a bottle,jug, or the like. • English 102 definition: A general to specific process by which we organize our ideas into an awesome introductory paragraph for Ms. B’s class.
The first part of the funnel – Intro sentence(s) • The first sentence or two has a few purposes: • Grab reader’s attention • Reference book / story / poem and author • Discuss important characters, if necessary • Important: Don’t stall! • Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” presents a world where secrets and hatred are always present. • Notice: Did I tell you what the entire paper is about?
The second part of the funnel – the bridge • The “bridge” sentences are details that AREN’T plot summary, but ARE important to the development of the thesis (we’ll go over this soon) • They serve as a link between the intro sentence and thesis. • Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” presents a world where secrets and hatred are always present.Montresor, a man who has felt the weight of this hatred, has transformed as a character due to the burden of his displeasure. • NOTICE: Do you know how he has transformed?
Use the bridge. Or else you’ll be eaten by the Evil English Sea Creature.
All right, you have successfully escaped the monster. Now what? • Now we get to the thesis. • Every. Paper. Needs. A. Thesis. Statement. • Last sentence of your intro paragraph • IMPORTANT – If I can’t tell PRECISELY what the point of your paper is in the last sentence (or two, but ideally just the last sentence) then you need to reexamine your intro paragraph / thesis.
Thesis statements are… • 1. Specific • I should not be wondering what point you’re going to raise in your paper • 2. Arguable • Non-arguable thesis: Katniss changes a great deal by playing in the Hunger Games. • The lesson learned from this story is that death is inevitable. • Arguable thesis: In “Harrison Bergeron,” Kurt Vonnegut illustrates how a society structured around absolute equality will result in mankind’s downfall due to an inability to progress forward. • 3. The foundation of your paper • Every detail in your paper should directly support, develop, or prove your thesis. • With every detail you present, you should ask yourself: Does this detail support my thesis? • If it doesn’t, then find something else!
Final Example • Specific • Arguable • Sets the foundation • Who is involved? • Montresor • What is arguable? • What if he’s just evil? • He is actively seeking revenge, not reciprocating it • What are some things we can expect to read about? • Reciprocity • Showing a before / after • Hatred ofFortunato • Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” presents a world where secrets and hatred are always present.Montresor, a man who has felt the weight of this hatred, has transformed as a character due to the burden of his displeasure. Poe uses irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” to show the transformation of Montresor from a good friend to a villain that reciprocates the hatred done upon him.