The introduction sets up the essay by introducing the text, establishing the argument, and signalling the direction of the analysis.
What to Include:
Introduce the Text: Mention the title, author, and genre.
Present the LOI: Clearly state your Line Of Inquiry.
Thesis Statement: Summarize your main argument to answer your LOI in one or two sentences.
Roadmap: Briefly outline the key points the essay will cover so the examiner can follow the line of argument.
Example
Introduction with Clear Linkage to Key Points
Introduce the Text:
Title: The Handmaid’s Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
Genre: Dystopian novel
Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian work that explores themes of oppression, power, and identity through the experiences of Offred, a woman forced into servitude in the authoritarian Republic of Gilead.
Present the LOI:
This essay investigates the question: "To what extent does Atwood use Offred’s characterization to critique female oppression and societal control?"
Thesis Statement:
Atwood portrays Offred’s identity as fragmented and constrained by Gilead’s patriarchal structures, illustrating how systemic oppression erases autonomy. However, Offred’s narrative voice, internal monologues, and moments of defiance reveal her resistance, emphasizing the enduring strength of individual thought even in oppressive systems.
Roadmap:
This essay will analyze how Atwood employs narrative perspective, symbolism, and intertextual references to explore female agency, power dynamics, and resistance within a dystopian framework.
Active recall
Use this skeleton to build a strong introduction:
In [Text] by [Author], a [genre], the author uses [brief description of technique] to explore [big idea]. This essay explores the question: [LOI]. It argues that [your thesis]. This will be examined through analysis of [techniques/themes] that highlight [core insight].
