Writing Literary Based Introductions and

Conclusions
Introduction Paragraph: What an introduction should have in it.Four Five + Sentences (if doing more than there,
modify this information)
Sentence 1: The hook This is where you, in an interesting way, introduce your reader to the topic
of your essay. Think about what your story is about, and think about what your protagonist endures along with what
others endure throughout the story. Create a sentence about that. Make sure that you hook has nothing to directly
do with the characters, he title, or the plot of your story - you want it to be universal.
Sentence 2-4: The why? Here, you are to tell your reader why this topic is so interesting and why
you are writing. This should be a minimum of 2-3 sentences; each sentence should build upon the previous one,
moving you closer to the thesis statement. Within these two sentences, you are going to take the concept of your
hook, and expand upon that and slowly make your sentences lead up to your thesis. Again, make sure that you do
not directly or indirectly reference any element of your story.
Sentence 5 or 6: Your thesis Your thesis is what you are specifically going to discuss / prove in
your essay!
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Thesis formula: Topic of Essay + ASS #1s idea + ASS #2s idea

Example Introduction Paragraph: Prompt: Discuss how the themes of hellish warfare and romanticized view of war are
depicted within Tim OBriens short story Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?

Throughout fictional pieces, the protagonist faces many obstacles. These

obstacles arise as the plot progresses, and prove to be defining moments that
inform the reader of the moral fiber of each character as well develop their
connection to the themes presented. These concepts shape the literary piece,
further enthralling the reader into the world created by the author. Within Tim
OBriens suspenseful short story Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?,
Private First Class Paul Berlins experience in the treacherous, bloody combat of
Vietnam War reflect how fear manipulates and takes over a person, proving that
the what people fear the most is really being so terribly afraid (2).

CONCLUSIONS: (if you do not understand what I am saying here, go back and revisit the Tootsie Roll Paper on pg.
82 in your INB)
*The biggest problem you will have is creating flow between the sentences. It is okay to add sentences in between to
create this flow. **
1. Ghost Thesis
2. Recap of paragraph 1
3. Recap of paragraph 2
4. Wrap it all up

Throughout Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?, Tim OBrien uses his
protagonist, First Class Private Paul Berlin, to emphasize to the reader how
absolutely horrifying war and death is, as well as how it haunts and frightens its
victims. Within this short story, there are various instances where the author
illustrates these all-encompassing horrors of Vietnam within the setting and all
Berlin endures. OBrien also demonstrates this distress in the soldiers
unrealistic ideals of war in addition to his inability to cope with the realities of it.
Therefore, OBrien effectively proves how, despite any attempts to cope with the
distress of war, no one, not even the protagonist, can escape the experiences
he endures. Therefore is a cause and effect transitional phrase to get to the
Wrap It All Up sent. Applying the concept of the themes to the real world. In
the WIAU (WRAP IT ALL UP) going to make a connection to the big
picture, the real world.