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.