ISU Exemplars
Introduction
 To get your paper off to a great start, you should try to have a first sentence that engages
your reader. Think of your first sentence as a hook that draws your reader in. It is your
big chance to be so clever that your reader can’t stop.
 Next you should introduce the topic of your paper. In the ISU essay the focus is themes
and your understanding of theme. Make sure that the reader is aware of what you believe
these two to mean.
 Next you should provide a well rounded introduction to the novel, never assume the
reader of the essay has read the novel. This is a tricky area because you don’t want to
give too much summary, but you also want to get the main plot elements across to the
reader.
 Your thesis should appear towards the end of your paper.
 A thesis is one sentence that states the focus of your paper as specifically as possible. It
should be a sentence that contains all the key elements, novel title, author, chosen themes
and the key characters.
A Sample Essay Intro
It is said, “There is no greater love than to lay one’s life down for one’s friend”. These words
were spoken by a man who truly practiced what he preached, Jesus. Jesus demonstrated this
by dying on the cross to forgive the world of its sins and to show his love. In society, many fail
to understand and correctly interpret the message of love and sacrifice Jesus sent to the world.
There are many times in life when people have to make sacrifices for the benefit and love of
others. Most times these sacrifices are hard to make, but it is the difficulty that is overcome
that shows their love for a person. In 2003, Khaled Hosseini wrote the novel The Kite Runner
which revolves around the theme of love and sacrifice. The novel begins in the peaceful times
of Kabul, Afghanistan with the young Amir and his playmate and servant Hassan. It recounts
the struggles between his wealthy father, Baba, and the deteriorating friendship between Amir
and Hassan, and Baba and Ali. As the novel progresses, it shows the dissolution of the
monarchy of Afghanistan and the ethnic tensions between the Hazara and Pastun tribes as
Baba and Amir leave their life and friendships to move to a lower class in America. In the
novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini demonstrates the reoccurring themes of love and
sacrifice through the characters Baba, Ali, and Hassan. Baba sacrifices his home and
reputation so that his son, Amir, can become the man he is. Ali sacrifices his friendship and
home for his son, Hassan’s, safety, and Hassan sacrifices his pride and friendship for Amir’s
happiness and peace of mind.