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  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 conducting liquid or other 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 of Fortunato  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.