The Introduction
How to begin…
Find a quotation
• Make sure the quote is related to
what you will discuss in your essay.
• On the next slides, I will provide a
sample of how to write your
introduction using Edgar Allan Poe’s
“The Cask of Amontillado”
First Sentence: Quotation Hook
• Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, once
wrote, “Those who plot the destruction of
others often perish in the attempt.”
• I chose this quote because it relates to a
major theme in “The Cask of Amontillado”
Second Sentence: Theme
• In other words, one who plans to destroy
another’s life will ultimately destroy his or
her own life in the process.
• This section of the introduction explains
the quotation hook and depicts its main
message.
3rd-5th sentences: Context
• In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe
depicts this idea through Montresor. Montresor
plans on seeking revenge against Fortunato.
Although he is never caught, this act still
haunts him fifty years later.
• In this part of the introduction, you will discuss
how the story relates to the theme addressed in
the quotation hook. This should be about 2-3
sentences.
Last Sentence: Thesis
• Through Montresor, Poe’s “The Cask of
Amontillado” suggests that revenge with
impunity is impossible.
• Your thesis statement will be the last line of the
introduction. The thesis shows what you will
prove in your essay.
• It must be an argument that can be disputed. Do
not simply write a fact. The following is what
not to do. This is a fact:
– ex. In Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor
seeks revenge against Fortunato.
The Intro
Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, once wrote, “Those who
plot the destruction of others often perish in the
attempt.” In other words, one who plans to destroy
another’s life will ultimately destroy his or her own life
in the process. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar
Allan Poe depicts this idea through Montresor.
Montresor plans on seeking revenge against Fortunato.
Although he is never caught, this act still haunts him
fifty years later. Through Montresor, Poe’s “The Cask
of Amontillado” suggests that revenge with impunity is
impossible.
The Body Paragraphs
Proving your thesis…
3rd Person Point of View
• When you write any paper that is not a narrative,
you MUST write in the 3rd person point of view.
• Third person pronouns: he, she, it, him, her,
himself, herself, himself, his, her, hers, its,
they, them, themselves, their, and theirs
• Second person pronouns: You, your, yourself,
yours
• First person pronouns: I, me, myself, my,
mine, we, us, ourselves, our, and ours
Three Body Paragraphs
• 1st body paragraph- 1st point that supports
your thesis
• 2nd body paragraph- 2nd point that supports
your thesis
• 3rd body paragraph- 3rd point that supports
you thesis
Introducing the quote & Quote with
Citation
• Throughout the story, Montresor gives an
account of the day he killed Fortunato. It is
not until the end that he reveals that “for
the half-of a century, no mortal has
disturbed [Fortunato’s bones]” (92).
– Use words in brackets to indicate a change in
the author’s words. You may need to do this if
the wording will not make sense to the reader
otherwise.
– Quotes NEVER stand on their own. You
MUST flow them into your sentence.
Three Techniques
• With few exceptions, quotes should
NEVER stand on their own as sentences.
Instead, they must be attached to or
inserted within other sentences of your
text. There are three primary methods for
inserting quotes into papers:
– blending
– traditional comma or dialogue format
– colon
Blending
• Blending is the combining of the writer’s (meaning your)
prose with a direct quote from another source.
• Blends are generally used with shorter quotes, often a
key phrase or even a single word.
• Often times the writer will begin a sentence and use the
quote to finish it, but a blend can appear virtually
anywhere within a sentence.
• When using this technique, a comma is usually NOT
required to set up the quote.
• Example: When Montresor tells the story to the illusive
“you, who so well [knows] the nature of [his] soul” (87),
he indicates that he feels justified in his actions because
of Fortunato’s insults.
Comma or Dialogue Intro
• This type of quote set-up is often used
when quoting what a character says, but it
is not limited to such a role.
• Example: It is not until the end that he
reveals, “For the half-of a century, no
mortal has disturbed [Fortunato’s bones]”
(92).
Colon
• At times, you can formally introduce the quote with a
complete sentence statement.
• Instead of ending the sentence with a period, a colon
would be used to connect the statement to the follow-up
quote. In each case, the quote is essentially fulfilling the
promise of the statement.
• Example: Montresor’s feelings of regret for seeking
revenge can be seen at the end of the story: “My heart
grew sick- on account of the dampness of the catacombs”
(92).
Explain Quote
• Explain to the reader the importance of the
quote and how it supports your topic
sentence.
• Sample: Montresor was never arrested for his
crimes, and Fortunato’s bones were never found.
The fact that he feels the need to confess this
story years later indicates that he is not free from
guilt as he would like to pretend.
2nd Quote and Explanation
• When Montresor tells the story to the
illusive “you, who so well [knows] the
nature of [his] soul” (87), he indicates that
he feels justified in his actions because of
Fortunato’s insults.
Last sentence of B.P.: Clincher
Sentence
• Sample: However, when at the end of the
story he reveals that fifty years have gone
by, it becomes clear that while his crime
may have eluded the authorities, it did not
elude his soul.
The First Body Paragraph
Montresor’s need to confess his story fifty years later
reveals that his crime has tormented him his entire life.
Throughout the story, Montresor gives an account of the
day he killed Fortunato. It is not until the end that he
reveals, “For the half of a century, no mortal has disturbed
[Fortunato’s bones]” (92). Montresor is never arrested for
his crimes, and Fortunato’s bones are never found. The
fact that he feels the need to confess this story years later
indicates that he is not free from guilt as he would like to
pretend. When Montresor tells the story to the illusive
“you, who so well [knows] the nature of [his] soul” (87),
he indicates that he feels justified in his actions because of
Fortunato’s insults. However, when at the end of the story
he reveals that fifty years have gone by, it becomes clear
that while his crime may have eluded the authorities, it did
not elude his soul.
2nd Body paragraphTopic sentence (TS 2) with transition
• Sample: Another indication of Montresor’s
guilt is the fact that he hesitates before
forcing the last stone into its position.
• Transition= Another indication- connects
previous body paragraph to this body
paragraph
Paper format thus far
•
Intro- Due Tuesday (1/24)Typed, double-spaced, two copies
– Quote hook
– Theme
– Context
– Thesis
•
Body paragraph 1- Due Thursday (1/26)-Typed, double-spaced, two copies
– Topic sentence
– Introduction to quote
– Quote with citation
– Explanation of quote (link)
– Quote with citation
– Explanation of quote (link)
– Clincher
Body paragraphs 2&3- Due Thursday (1/26)-Typed, double-spaced, two copies
– Transition & Topic sentence
– Introduction to quote
– Quote with citation
– Explanation of quote (link)
– Quote with citation
– Explanation of quote (link)
– Clincher
•