Thesis Intro Pointers Leslie Monagle Introduction Think of

Thesis & Intro Pointers Leslie Monagle

Introduction • Think of the Intro as an upside-down triangle

Attention Getter/Clincher/Hook • The very first sentence(s) that gets the reader’s attention and makes them want to read more • VERY general introduction to the topic • Some options: – Shocking Statistic – Anecdote (short story related to the topic) – Question – Famous Quotation – Vivid, detailed description

Narrow Topic: The Lead-in • The sentences between the attention-getter and thesis statement • Helps narrow the topic from general to specific • Acts as a transition between attention-getter and thesis statement • Should formally introduce the book and author being focused on • Possibly introduces some characters and their importance to your paper’s focus

Thesis Statement The most important sentence in the paper Last sentence of the introduction paragraph Tells exactly what the paper will be about Identify the specific ideas that you will be covering in your paper. • Sometimes, it will present the order of the supporting material that the paper will be in the paper • •

Thesis, continued • Example: In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus displays tremendous courage through his encounters with the mad dog, the Tom Robinson trial, and Bob Ewell.