The Introduction How to begin
Find a quotation Make sure the quote is related to what you will discuss in your essay. On the next slides, I will provide a sample of how to write your introduction using Edgar Allan Poe s The Cask of Amontillado
First Sentence: Quotation Hook Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, once wrote, Those who plot the destruction of others often perish in the attempt. I chose this quote because it relates to a major theme in The Cask of Amontillado
Second Sentence: Theme In other words, one who plans to destroy another s life will ultimately destroy his or her own life in the process. This section of the introduction explains the quotation hook and depicts its main message.
3 rd -5 th sentences: Context In The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe depicts this idea through Montresor. Montresor plans on seeking revenge against Fortunato. Although he is never caught, this act still haunts him fifty years later. In this part of the introduction, you will discuss how the story relates to the theme addressed in the quotation hook. This should be about 2-3 sentences.
Last Sentence: Thesis Through Montresor s guilt, revealed by his actions and words, Poe s The Cask of Amontillado suggests that revenge with impunity is impossible. Your thesis statement will be the last line of the introduction. The thesis shows what you will prove in your essay. It must be an argument that can be disputed. Do not simply write a fact. The following is what not to do. This is a fact: ex. In Poe s The Cask of Amontillado, Montresor seeks revenge against Fortunato.
The Intro Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, once wrote, Those who plot the destruction of others often perish in the attempt. In other words, one who plans to destroy another s life will ultimately destroy his or her own life in the process. In The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe depicts this idea through Montresor. Montresor plans on seeking revenge against Fortunato. Although he is never caught, this act still haunts him fifty years later. Through Montresor, Poe s The Cask of Amontillado suggests that revenge with impunity is impossible.
The Body Paragraphs Proving your thesis
3 rd Person Point of View When you write any paper that is not a narrative, you MUST write in the 3 rd person point of view. Third person pronouns: he, she, it, him, her, himself, herself, himself, his, her, hers, its, they, them, themselves, their, and theirs Second person pronouns: You, your, yourself, yours First person pronouns: I, me, myself, my, mine, we, us, ourselves, our, and ours
Three Body Paragraphs 1 st body paragraph- 1 st point that supports your thesis 2 nd body paragraph- 2 nd point that supports your thesis 3 rd body paragraph- 3 rd point that supports you thesis
Introducing the Quote with Citation Throughout the story, Montresor gives an account of the day he killed Fortunato. It is not until the end that he reveals that for the half-of a century, no mortal has disturbed [Fortunato s bones] (Poe 92). Use words in brackets to indicate a change in the author s words. You may need to do this if the wording will not make sense to the reader otherwise. Quotes NEVER stand on their own. You MUST flow them into your sentence.
Three Techniques With few exceptions, quotes should NEVER stand on their own as sentences. Instead, they must be attached to or inserted within other sentences of your text. There are three primary methods for inserting quotes into papers: blending traditional comma or dialogue format colon
Blending Blending is the combining of the writer s (meaning your) prose with a direct quote from another source. Blends are generally used with shorter quotes, often a key phrase or even a single word. Often times the writer will begin a sentence and use the quote to finish it, but a blend can appear virtually anywhere within a sentence. When using this technique, a comma is usually NOT required to set up the quote. Example: When Montresor tells the story to the illusive you, who so well [knows] the nature of [his] soul (Poe 87), he indicates that he feels justified in his actions because of Fortunato s insults.
Comma or Dialogue Intro This type of quote set-up is often used when quoting what a character says, but it is not limited to such a role. Example: It is not until the end that Montresor reveals, For the half-of a century, no mortal has disturbed [Fortunato s bones] (Poe 92).
Colon At times, you can formally introduce the quote with a complete sentence statement. Instead of ending the sentence with a period, a colon would be used to connect the statement to the follow-up quote. In each case, the quote is essentially fulfilling the promise of the statement. Example: Montresor s feelings of regret for seeking revenge can be seen at the end of the story: My heart grew sick- on account of the dampness of the catacombs (Poe 92).
Explain Quote Explain to the reader the importance of the quote and how it supports your topic sentence. Sample: Montresor was never arrested for his crimes, and Fortunato s bones were never found. The fact that he feels the need to confess this story years later indicates that he is not free from guilt as he would like to pretend.
2 nd Quote and Explanation When Montresor tells the story to the illusive you, who so well [knows] the nature of [his] soul (Poe 87), he indicates that he feels justified in his actions because of Fortunato s insults.
Last sentence of B.P.: Clincher Sentence Sample: However, when at the end of the story he reveals that fifty years have gone by, it becomes clear that while his crime may have eluded the authorities, it did not elude his soul.
The First Body Paragraph Montresor s need to confess his story fifty years later reveals that his crime has tormented him his entire life. Throughout the story, Montresor gives an account of the day he killed Fortunato. It is not until the end that he reveals, For the half of a century, no mortal has disturbed [Fortunato s bones] (Poe 92). Montresor is never arrested for his crimes, and Fortunato s bones are never found. The fact that he feels the need to confess this story years later indicates that he is not free from guilt as he would like to pretend. When Montresor tells the story to the illusive you, who so well [knows] the nature of [his] soul (Poe 87), he indicates that he feels justified in his actions because of Fortunato s insults. However, when at the end of the story he reveals that fifty years have gone by, it becomes clear that while his crime may have eluded the authorities, it did not elude his soul.
2 nd Body paragraph- Topic sentence (TS 2) with transition Sample: In addition to a confession fifty years after his murderous action, another indication of Montresor s guilt is the fact that he hesitates before forcing the last stone into its position. Transition? Paragraph hook? Topic? Focus (argument)?
Paper format thus far Intro- Due Friday (1/24) Typed, double-spaced, printed Quote hook Theme Context Thesis Body paragraph 1- Due Tuesday (1/28)-Typed, double-spaced, printed Topic sentence Introduction to quote Quote with citation Explanation of quote (link) Introduction to quote and Quote with citation Explanation of quote (link) Clincher Body paragraphs 2 & 3- Due Tuesday (1/28)-Typed, double-spaced, printed Transition, Paragraph Hook, & Topic sentence Introduction to quote Quote with citation Explanation of quote (link) Introduction to quote and Quote with citation Explanation of quote (link) Clincher