Writing Introductions For Literary Essays printable pdf download

Writing Introductions For Literary Essays

Name: ________________________________

Writing Introductions for Literary Essays

The Elements of an Introduction

I. The hook introduces a broad topic/idea (such as “justice” or “loyalty”)

that is related to your essay.

II.

The transition narrows the big idea by connecting it to

the literary work you are discussing.

III. Your thesis statement is the

specific idea that you are discussing

in the essay.

Part I: The Hook

The hook gets your reader’s attention by presenting a broad topic or question that relates to

your essay. For example, an essay about the guilt of a character in a trial could start with the

sentence, “In the American criminal justice system, a jury cannot prove a person guilty

unless he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Introducing this idea

prepares the reader to understand the details you will be presenting. Provocative questions,

such as “Can someone commit murder and still be a good person?” can also introduce your

topic and hook your reader.

Part II: The Transition

The transition connects the big idea you presented in the hook with the literary work you are

discussing in your essay. Always give the name and author of literary works in this part of

the introduction.

Part III: The Thesis

The introduction ends with your thesis statement. Your thesis statement must:

Answer the essay question. (“People have different opinions about…” is a very weak

thesis because it does not take a stand on the question that was asked.)

Provide a preview of what the essay will discuss. This preview—which often takes the

form of a list of the topics you will discuss in each body paragraph—acts as a roadmap so

the reader knows where you are going.

(continue to the back for examples and an exercise)

Writing Introductions For Literary Essays