Writing a Strong Introduction (150-200 words)
Your intro is the launchpad for your whole essay. It's where you set the stage, introduce the text, and show your examiner exactly where you're headed. Think of it like your essay’s GPS.
- 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 key points you will cover so the examiner knows what to expect.
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.
Self review
- Try out this skeleton to build a strong intro:
- 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].
