Writing a strong introduction

1.What information typically goes into an introduction? 2.How long should an effective intro be?

1.An introduction should provide the reader with the following: a.the point of your paper (thesis or claim) b.any background information necessary to understand that point c.an idea of what information the reader can expect to see supporting the thesis 2.An effective intro should be long enough to do all these things. (Generally this is 4-5 sentences, but it could be longer or shorter depending on the paper.)

Money cannot buy happiness. The Great Gatsby is a novel by Fitzgerald and “Richard Cory” is a poem by Robinson. What is wrong with this intro? 1.Thesis is a cliché 2.Thesis is too simple 3.Thesis is not developed 4.Information is not connected

1.Make thesis a deeper and more complex point a.It should never be a saying you have heard before. The idea and phrasing should be uniquely yours. b.It should take multiple steps to prove. Examples: (Which would require multiple steps?) A. Money cannot buy happiness. B. Although money can hide problems, it can’t solve them. C. Money is the cause of evil.

Although money can hide one’s problems, it cannot solve them. What kinds of details would I need to prove this? 1.Money making it seem like someone has no problems. 2.That person’s problems continuing to exist despite all the money.

Although money can hide one’s problems, it cannot solve them. How do we develop this thesis further? 1.Explore the idea: (3-4 sentences) a.Answer why this is true. b.How do people who disagree feel? Why are they incorrect? c.Perhaps create a metaphor or simile that makes your point more clear.

Although money can hide one’s problems, it cannot solve them. The Great Gatsby is a novel by Fitzgerald and “Richard Cory” is a poem by Robinson. 1.Do not just list information that an intro needs. 2.Generally show HOW the texts will support the thesis. 3.Identify individual characters and incidents that you will discuss further in your paper to support your point—leave plot specifics for body.

Wealth can often function as a mask that people hide behind. Some feel as though the only thing standing between them and a life free from problems is money. What they do not understand is that life’s big problems arise mostly from flaws in who we are, not from our lack of wealth. Although money may be able to hide one’s problems, it will not be able to solve them. Jay Gatsby’s hopeless pursuit of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald and Richard Cory’s surprising suicide in “Richard Cory” by Robinson show how people’s problems are not erased by being wealthy.

For the remainder of the period: 1.Work with a classmate on your intro. 2.Read each others’ and determine what needs to be improved according to what we have done in class today. 3.Rewrite your intro. 4.Work on rest of paper.