Introductions

One purpose of the introduction

Your introduction needs to attract your reader! This is sometimes called a “hook.”

Writers can attract readers in a number of ways, such as:

Using a “story within a story”

Using interesting figurative language

Using pointed, specific language

There are many kinds of hooks

(Surprising) fact or observation

Question

Historical overview (if it’s important to your paper)

The kind of hook you use will vary depending on the kind of essay you’re writing.

There are also hooks to avoid!

Dictionary definition “Tone: the way a writer…”

Announcements “In this paper, I will analyze…”

Broad generalization “Everyone in the world knows…” “Since the beginning of time…”

The “Have you ever…?” question (or, usually, any question at all.)

You will immediately “unhook” your reader if…

… your first sentence is not grammatical.… you spell the author’s name wrong.… you spell the title wrong.… you give inaccurate information about the

text.

One way to think of an introduction…

In general, an introduction is like a funnel.

The introduction moves from broad information to narrow information

Broad information: context (background or situation) of the essay you will analyze

Name of text Name of author Overview of text (1-2 sentences only!) Any other background information your reader might

need to understand your thesis or your essay

Narrow information: your thesis statement

Helpful tips for analysis introductions

Give the title of the text (and format it correctly)

Give the author’s full name

Give a brief summary of the text – especially anything that is particularly important to your points.

Do not use a quote from the text in the intro

Do not use PIE in the intro

End with a thesis statement that forecasts the order of your essay.

The three most important features of your introduction:

Hook (attract your readers)

Context (background information about the text and anything

else your readers might need to know about)

Thesis (last sentence of your intro – you know all about this!)

Try it out!

Attract your readers

Give the context: (this order is variable)

Author Text Very general overview Any other important points so that your readers can

follow you

Finish with your thesis (in this class, this is not variable: please put your thesis at the end of your intro.)