Writing an intro/developing body paragraphs

Today, I will be checking thesis statements and you'll have a chance to draft an intro and begin prewriting/brainstorming your body paragraphs.

Remember, intros contain:

1. A hook--an opening statement that introduces the TOPIC (not the THESIS) of your paper

2. Slide into background information of the novel (here, you're attempting to relate the topic to the novel itself)

3. Finally, you offer your thesis

4. The last sentence should be a "so what?" type of sentence--what are the larger implications of your thesis? Why does it even matter? What can be learned or gained from buying your argument?

Finding quotes: Only select short quotes. You ARE allowed to summarize events in your paper. You use quotes when the words on the page are more effective or carry a bigger PUNCH than a paraphrase. With this in mind, your quotes should have INTERPRETATIVE value. Meaning, after you provide a quote, there should be something there for you to elaborate on and explain, something that's not instantly obvious.