Introduction

Unit Overview
In this unit, you will develop the introduction for your Literary Analysis essay.

Click here to download notes for this unit.

Over the next few units, we will construct a Literary Analysis essay based on the following prompt.

· Read and take notes on two poems about Helen of Troy—" To Helen" by Edgar Allan Poe and "Helen" by H. D. (Hilda Doolittle).

· Construct a multi-paragraph response in which you analyze how the subject of "Helen" is treated differently across the two texts.

Before we begin, you must read the following two poems:

“To Helen" by Edgar Allan Poe  "Helen" by H. D.

Remember the outline of the previous unit…

Literary Analysis Essay: Outline

1. Introduction

a. Hook

b. Background Information

c. Thesis (Central Idea)

2. Body Paragraph 1

a. Topic Sentence for Text 1

b. Textual Evidence

i. Explanation

c. Textual Evidence

i. Explanation

d. Textual Evidence

i. Explanation

e. Wrap-Up Topic 1

3. Body Paragraph 2

a. Topic Sentence for Text 2

b. Textual Evidence

i. Explanation

c. Textual Evidence

i. Explanation

d. Textual Evidence

i. Explanation

e. Wrap-Up Topic 2

4. Conclusion

a. Restate the thesis in a different way (central idea)

b. Why does it matter?

c. Final Thoughts

We will work towards building that outline gradually throughout the following units.

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What is an Introduction?

An introduction is the opening of an essay or speech, which typically identifies the topic, arouses interest, and prepares the audience for the development of the thesis. It can also be called an opening, a lead, or an introductory paragraph.

The introduction will contain the following three things:

1. Hook

2. Background information

3. Thesis

Hook

A hook is a statement meant to grab the reader's attention.

In a literary analysis essay, a hook is an opening sentence or paragraph that grabs the reader's attention and draws them into the essay. The purpose of the hook is to create interest and intrigue, to make the reader want to keep reading and to set the stage for the rest of the essay.

A hook can take many forms, depending on the style and tone of the essay, but it should always be relevant to the topic and the thesis. Some common types of hooks in literary analysis essays include:

1. A surprising fact or statistic related to the analyzed literary work.

2. An intriguing question that the essay will explore and answer.

3. An interesting anecdote or story that sets the scene for the analysis.

4. A striking or memorable image or metaphor captures the literary work's essence.

The hook should be followed by a clear thesis statement that lays out the main argument or point of the essay. The hook and thesis statement set the tone for the rest of the essay and provide a roadmap for the reader.

Background Information

The background information is a summary of the texts. It identifies the author and title and gives necessary background information that someone who hasn't read the story would need to know for your paper to make sense. Keep it brief.

Thesis

A thesis is a statement or theory to maintain or prove a premise. Your thesis will become the main idea of your entire essay.

You can think of your introduction as an upside-down triangle. It starts very general and becomes more and more specific.

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Model of Introduction

· Hook: There is a vast difference between being alone and lonely. While being alone is merely a state of being by oneself, loneliness is defined as feeling "sad because one has no friends or company" (Dictionary.com).

· Background Information: The novel Frankenstein, written by English author Mary Shelley, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a grotesque but intelligent creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. "At the Window" by Carl Sandburg is a two-stanza poem in which a speaker pleads to the gods.

· Thesis: Both the creature in Frankenstein and the speaker in "At the Window" deal with the theme of loneliness, but they do so differently. The speaker in "At the Window" responds to loneliness by describing it as worse than hunger or pain, whereas the creature in Frankenstein suggests that loneliness has turned him evil. 

It's Your Turn

Now develop your introduction outline!

Prompt: Read and take notes on two poems about Helen of Troy—" To Helen" by Edgar Allan Poe and "Helen" by H. D. (Hilda Doolittle). Construct a multi-paragraph response in which you analyze how the subject of "Helen" is treated differently across the two texts.

1. Hook: __________________________________________

2. Background Information: ___________________________

3. Thesis: __________________________________________

You can print out this graphic organizer to help you.