Introductions
Strategies/Examples
Required Elements
1. Opening or Hook (purpose is to get the
reader on track with the topic of the
paper)
2. Clear statement of the paper’s purpose
(also called a thesis statement)
3. Brief overview of the paper’s main points
(the main ideas in the body paragraphs)
The Opening or Hook
Idea One:
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Why do people do the things they do? Each
of us is motivated by certain desires and
goals, and such is the case in Miller’s “The
Crucible.”
The Opening or Hook
Idea Two:
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Woodrow Wilson once said, “I would rather lose in
a cause that will some day win, than win in a
cause that will some day lose!” His quote is
reflected by the characters in Miklowitz’s “The
War Between the Classes.” Amy is willing to
suffer for a cause she believes will some day
triumph.
The Opening or Hook
Idea Three:
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Everyone is driven by personal desires and goals.
Our very behavior is determined by how we
approach the journey to these desires and
goals. The characters in Miklowitz’s “The War
Between the Classes” are no different; each is
motivated by a personal desire …
The Opening or Hook
Idea Four:
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In 1692 hysteria broke out over the existence of
witches in Salem, MA. As a result, nineteen
people were hanged, one person was pressed
to death, and as many as thirteen people may
have died in prison …
The Opening
Idea Five:
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When we see a child break a rule he knows exists,
we are puzzled. Yet when we see that the child
breaks the rule because he desires a greater
chance at winning, for example, a prize, we
realize that his behavior is determined by his
motivation for the prize.
The Opening or Hook
Idea Six:
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Many issues are raised in Miklowitz’s “The War
Between the Classes,” and those issues are
raised through the actions and behaviors of
characters. The way the issues are portrayed
provides certain messages to the audience, and
the audience must decide whether to align with
or stand against the novel...
The Thesis
A thesis centers around a specific topic.
This paper’s topic: How does the author
develop characters to bring out the themes
of
a)discrimination, b) family or c) prejudice?
The Thesis
A thesis should:
State the purpose of the paper (in the case
of an informative/exploratory essay)
Take a stand (in the case of an
argumentative essay)
This paper is argumentative – it claims that
character development brings out themes
a), b), or c).
Thesis Characteristics
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Example: The use of color by F. Scott
Fitzgerald in his novel The Great Gatsby
highlights certain themes in the book, and
enhances the reader’s experience.
Thesis Samples
Monty Python’s film “Monty Python and
the Holy Grail” uses irony and satire to
mock and twist the traditional hero’s
journey as well as poke fun at chivalry and
courtly love.
Although racism is present in Twain’s The
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the way
this racism is presented reveals that the
book itself is not racist.
Thesis Sample (3/6)
An author’s focus on character
development can be used to highlight
various themes within the story.
Thesis Sample (6/6)
Many issues are raised in Miklowitz’s “The
War Between the Classes” and those
issues are raised through the actions and
behaviors of characters. The way the
issues are portrayed provides certain
messages to the reader, and the audience
must decide whether to align with or stand
against the characters. I was particularly
drawn to the issue(s) of …
Outline of the Paper
Include a general outline or “__________” of
the major points in the paper within your
intro. Doing so helps your reader prepare
mentally for the ____________that they
are about to read. Insert these
___________either before or after your
thesis.
Outline of the Paper
… (thesis). Miklowitz causes the reader to
experience prejudice during her story “The
War Between the Classes” as the reader
follows the thoughts, feelings and dynamic
progression of Amy, debates the illinformed behavior of her father Mr.
Sumoto, and witnesses the various
interactions between students during the
color game.
Intro Sample
Just as construction workers use specific tools to
build structures that appeal to the eye, so too do
authors use tools to build their literature. An
author’s use of well developed characters can serve
to imprint their themes on the reader. This can be
seen in three specific instances within Miklowitz’s
story “The War Between the Classes”. The author
ensures the reader perceives prejudice and
discrimination as the reader follows the thoughts,
feelings and dynamic progression of Amy, debates
the ill-informed behavior of her father Mr. Sumoto,
and witnesses the various interactions between
students during the color game.
Intro Sample
Some parents say a child is not ready for a driver’s
license until they can prove responsibility. The teenager
who wants to drive may begin demonstrating
responsibility early, by taking out the garbage every
week, doing dishes regularly, or starting a neighborhood
pet care service. When successfully completed, the
tasks stand as a symbol of the child’s preparation for the
more weighty responsibility of driving. In the same way,
Kate Chopin incorporates symbolism in her short story
“Ripe Figs” to indicate when her main character, the
young girl Babette, is ready for travel from her
godmother’s house. A clear link is made between the
figs ripening on the trees and Babette’s own readiness to
travel on her own to visit her cousins.
Intro Sample
Dreams. As children we all have them: dreams of flying or
becoming a firefighter or actress. As adults dreams change to
thoughts of a secure retirement or a calm family vacation.
Although we can hold dreams privately, it is when we share
these dreams that our relationships with others become more
valuable. When the high school graduate shares dreams of
becoming a doctor then later graduates from medical school,
the whole family shares the pride and accomplishment. In
Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, dreams function in a similar way.
Steinbeck shows that dreams, when shared, can not only
encourage positive relationships, but can also provide a goal
that keeps a man alive. Lennie and George move from farm to
farm diligently seeking work, and keep going in the hard times
by remembering the dream they share together, a dream that
not only points them to the future, but keeps them together.
When they share the dream of land ownership with Candy and
Crooks, the two loners become more animated and look
forward to the future, temporarily forgetting their own isolation.
Steinbeck first introduces the power of shared dreams and
ambitions in chapter one as Lennie and George settle down to
dinner.