The Introductory Paragraph

1
The Introductory Paragraph

• Literary Analysis

2
The introduction paragraph in an essay of
literary analysis functions as follows

• It focuses the readers attention on the topic
  and arouses curiosity for the reader about what
  you, as the writer, have to say.
• It specifies your subject and implies your
  attitude and tone.
• It provides background necessary to understand
  the thesis statement.
• It is concise and sincere.
• It comes to a point with the thesis statement.

3
Structure of the Introduction Paragraph

• 1st sentence hook or opening sentence
• 2nd 3rd sentence transitions from hook while
  including T.A.G. (complete title, authors
  complete name, and genre of the work(s) being
  analyzed)
• 3rd 5th sentence further logical transitions
• Thesis Statement final sentence(s) of the
  introductions

4
Strategies for Composing Hooks or Opening
Statements

• Use a vivid or powerful quotation that has
  relevance to your topic.
• Create an analogy for your subject.
• Offer an interesting fact or statistic.
• State an opinion related to your thesis.
• Define a concept central to your argument.

5
What to Avoid When Composing Hooks or Opening
Statements

• Cliché statements Websters dictionary defines
  friendship as
• First person point of view In this essay I will
  show
• Asking rhetorical questions Have you ever
  wondered what would happen (Also avoid
  addressing the reader)
• Vague or abstract language
• Broad generalizations Symbolism is a powerful
  tool used in literature
• Any attempt at humor, cleverness, or sarcasm

6
Consider the following checklist when composing
an introduction paragraph

• ? The hook/opening sentence engages the readers
  curiosity while remaining academic and
  sophisticated.
• ? The introduction avoids 1st person point of
  view, slang, and poor diction.
• ? Specific terms or language are defined.
• ? Necessary background information is provided.
• ? The paragraph transitions clearly and logically
  from the hook to the thesis statement.

7

• ? Avoid vague and abstract language and slang.
• ? The thesis statement appears at the end of the
  introduction.
• ? The introduction should be clear, logical, and
  reasonable.
• ? Avoid attempts to be clever, funny, or
  sarcastic.
• ? Use present tense verbs consistently.

8

• ? The introduction need not be longer than 4 6
  sentences. Lengthy introductions tend to ramble
  and can distract from the topic and lose focus.

9
Sample Introductions

• As you read the following samples, consider their
  strengths and weaknesses in light of the previous
  checklist.
• Identify the hook or opening statement in each
  sample.
• Identify T.A.G. (title, author, genre).
• Identify transition sentences.
• Identify the thesis statement.
• Identify awkward, vague, wordy, or abstract
  diction.
• Identify analytical and critical approach.

10
Sample 1

• A womans role in marriage is a controversial
  subject that has puzzled and fascinated people as
  long as the institution of marriage has been in
  existence. Because women have traditionally held
  a subservient and passive role in marriage in
  contrast to their male counterparts, it is of
  great interest to reflect on world civilizations
  and cultures of the past in order to observe how
  contemporary societal expectations of a wife have
  evolved over time. One powerful way of glimpsing
  into past societies views on wifehood is by
  carefully examining classical world literature.
  The Ramayana of Valmiki and The Tale of Genji,
  examples of classical Indian and Japanese
  literature and culture, reflect their cultures
  values regarding a womans role as a wife.

11
Sample 2

• The persona in Ana Castillos short story
  Subtitles narrates, I have lived my life in a
  foreign film. The idea that she is typecast
  into roles within her life reflects the dominant
  societys tendency to categorize her as foreign.
  This categorization naturally leads to the
  translation, and therefore transformation, of her
  character into Anglo-American society. This
  unique narrative explored the theme and character
  of the contemporary Chicana. Castillos
  Subtitles explores the problematic and
  contradictory nature of the Chicana identity in
  dominant Anglo-American society through the
  literary conventions of metaphor, point of view,
  figurative language, and symbolism.

12
Sample 3

• Human memory is one of the greatest mysteries
  known to man. Some scientists claim that the
  human brains capacity to store and remember
  information is infinite yet, despite modern
  technology and advances in brain research, our
  gift of memory is still one that baffles
  scientists, physicians, and psychiatrists alike.
  This mystery of memory intrigues writers, as
  well. In her award-winning novel Beloved, Toni
  Morrison explores the intensity of memory in the
  story of an antebellum family haunted by the
  past. The controlling theme of memory develops
  meaning throughout the novel as a narrative
  technique that weaves insight and emotion into
  the characters, plot, and symbols. (Blueprint is
  vague)

13
Sample 4

• Among the long list of prerequisites an
  effective leader must possess, confidence and the
  ability to speak eloquently and powerfully are
  necessary to portray a presence of competence.
  Certainly, any effective leader of historical
  significance may be shown to have possessed these
  qualities. In addition to historic figures,
  characters in the great canon of classical
  literature also reveal societal expectations of
  sound leadership. In particular, the playwrights
  hand is responsible for depicting, in dramatic
  form, the role of the heroic leader in all its
  grandeur. Christopher Marlowe, one of the great
  playwrights of the (cont.)

14

• sixteenth century, portrays the character of
  Tamburlaine as he succeeds to and defends the
  throne in Tamburlaine the Great, Parts I and II.
  In Tamburlaines character we see a model of
  leadership in which confidence and eloquence play
  a pivotal role. Tamburlaines pride, confidence,
  and eloquence qualify him as a competent and
  effective leader.