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Introductory Paragraphs An introductory paragraph is somewhat different from a body paragraph. An introductory paragraph has two main purposes: – To introduce your topic – To let your reader know what you want point you want to make about the topic (thesis idea). Following are a few strategies for making sure your introductory paragraph is always on point!

Strategy #1: Key Terms Always include, in the opening sentence, – the title of the work you are writing about – the author’s name – a few key terms related to the topic. This strategy helps you focus your ideas quickly. For example: John Proctor is a dynamic character in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. This opening sentence lets your reader know right away what the essay is going to be about.

Strategy #2: Thesis idea Your thesis idea (or “thesis statement”) is the point you are making about the topic. If you are writing from a prompt, your thesis statement should, above all, answer the question or address the issue in the prompt. Your thesis idea should be the last sentence in the first paragraph.

Strategy #2: Thesis idea Let’s look at the prompt for your Crucible essay: “Trace the development of one dynamic character, either John Proctor or Rev. Hale, from Act I through Act IV of The Crucible.” What does the prompt suggest your thesis idea should do? There is often additional information in the assignment description. Under “Criteria for Grading” on the Crucible character analysis assignment sheet, it says, “The thesis idea is clear, focused, and specific in stating how the character changes.”

Strategy #2: Thesis idea Your thesis statement for your Crucible character analysis could have gone something like this: “John Proctor goes from conflicted to proud over the course of The Crucible.” “Rev. Hale goes from confident to desperate over the course of The Crucible.”

Strategy #3: The “Middle” In the three-sentence introductory paragraph model, the purpose of the second sentence is to connect the first sentence and the last, logically. You could also use the second sentence to get your reader interested in your topic. Let’s take a look at what we already have: John Proctor is a dynamic character in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. He goes from conflicted to proud over the course of the play.

Strategy #3: The “Middle” On your piece of paper, write a sentence or two that would Logically connect the two sentences we already have Make your reader interested in your topic

Strategy #3: The “Middle” John Proctor is a dynamic character in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. At the beginning of the play, Proctor feels very guilty about a secret sin that he wants to deal with privately. However, a “witch hunt” forces his secret out into the open and helps him find his true character. Caught up in the drama of Salem’s witch court, John Proctor goes from conflicted to proud over the course of the play.

Today’s Agenda 1)Review your scored rubric very carefully with an aim toward making corrections. 2)Prioritize your revisions as follows: – Developing body paragraphs (no quotes = Not pass; 1/26-1/30) – Revising introductory paragraph – Correcting comma use (choose one paragraph, and correct the commas according to the points we have discussed this week) 3)Print the essay, and turn it back in w/o the original. 4)If you earned 100% on the essay, you may work on Homer’s Odyssey, Book 10, and Reading Guide.