Introductory Paragraph

Comparison Essay

The beginning of your essay should capture the reader’s interest, introduce your two subjects, and state your thesis

Start Your Essay

Ask a questionWho is the greatest American athlete of all

time?Start with a quotation

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”Use a surprising statistic

During one Big Ten meet, Jesse Owens tied one world record and set three more- all with an injured back!

Connect with the readerImagine being a high school athlete who could

beat world records

Getting the Reader’s Attention

Think of an interesting introductory sentence for your essay

How can you introduce your theme in an interesting way?

How can you introduce Othello and Huck Finn in an interesting way?

Can you grab your reader with historical information?

Practice

Read your attention-getter to your elbow partner

Did it grab their attention? Why or why not?What revisions should you make?

Share

Pretend your audience has not read Othello or Huck Finn

Provide background information about each text/author- make sure the information connects to your thesis statement

One approach might be to introduce your entire essay by focusing on points about racism

Introduce Two Subjects

Write 5-6 sentences introducing your two subjects

Remember your essay needs to be focused on race in Othello and Huck Finn

Practice

Read your attention-getter and your first 5-6 sentences to your elbow partner

Is it interesting?Does it provide enough background

information about the two subjects?What would you add and/or take away?

Share

Your thesis statement should be towards the end of your introductory paragraph

It will provide the focus points of your paperWhen you write your introductory paragraph,

underline your thesis statementRemember the rules!

Thesis

Now your thesis statement is in place, read your introductory paragraph aloud to your elbow partner

Does it flow well?Does the thesis statement have at least three

main points?Does the background information about the

two subjects lead you to the thesis?

Revision