Introduction Example

Hook / It is not a surprise to most that each individual person has different morals and opinions which guide their actions. It is when these morals and opinions affect the lives of others that conflict arises.
Synopsis / In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game,” author Richard Connell tells the story of a refined man with uncivilized taste in entertainment. Rainsford is a hunter who is travelling through the carribbean. All goes well until he falls off of his yacht in the middle of the ocean. Scared and helpless, he swims to the nearest shore of a small island. There, he meets General Zarroff, a retired Russian General who has purchased the island and uses it to hunt. Rainsford first sees Zaroff as a wonderful host, but soon comes to realize that everything is not as it appears, and Zaroff is not who he seems to be.
Thesis / The reader soon comes to see that Zaroff’s main character traits are class, intelligence, and ruthlessness.

Body Paragraphs

In the beginning of the story, Zaroff demonstrates his most obvious trait which is class…..

As the story goes on, the reader sees that Zaroff is also very intelligent…

In addition to being intelligent, Zaroff is a ruthless character which makes for a deadly combination….

Hook / Sometimes the most important lessons in life can come from people who we never expect.
Synopsis / In the story “Thank You Ma’am” by Langston Hughes, a young boy learns an important lesson about honesty from Miss Luella Bates Washington Jones. The young man first meets Miss Jones when he tries to steal her pocketbook. She not only stops him, but drags him back to her house for a good meal, a face washing, and a talking to. The brief encounter has a profound effect on the young man and gives the reader a solid look at Miss Jones’ character.
Thesis / Throughout the story, Miss Luella Bates Washington Jones proves to the young man, and the reader, that she is assertive, intelligent, and full of integrity.

In the beginning of the story, Luella demonstrates her most obvious trait which is assertiveness…

As the story goes on, the reader sees that Miss Jones is also very intelligent…

In addition to being intelligent, Miss Jones is a woman of integrity which makes her the perfect character to teach the young man a lesson…