Write an Introduction for a Literary Analysis Essay

Summary

This video tutorial guides viewers on crafting an impactful introduction for a literary analysis essay. It introduces the 'Funnel Method,' starting with a broad theme and narrowing down to a thesis. Using 'Romeo and Juliet' as an example, the presenter illustrates how to develop an abstract idea, provide relevant background, and conclude with a thesis. The video also offers a practical exercise for viewers to practice writing introductions based on themes like freedom, vengeance, and pride.

Takeaways

• 📚 This video teaches how to write an introduction for a literary analysis essay.
• 🎓 The 'Funnel Method' is introduced as a strategy for writing introductions.
• 🗂️ Start with a broad, abstract idea related to the theme of the text, without mentioning the text's name.
• 📝 Relate the theme to the text by providing background information or specific details.
• 📖 The last sentence should be the thesis, which is the claim you aim to prove.
• 🔍 The 'Funnel Method' narrows from a general idea to a specific thesis, like a funnel.
• 🌟 Use the example of 'Romeo and Juliet' to illustrate the method.
• ❓ To find an abstract idea, ask about character motivations, goals, conflicts, and themes.
• 🚫 Avoid retelling the plot; assume the reader is already familiar with the text.
• 📝 Example thesis: 'Romeo's impulsiveness and Juliet's ignorance prevent them from avoiding their destiny.'
• 💡 Practice exercise: Write an introduction using themes like freedom, vengeance, or pride.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is teaching how to write an effective introduction for a literary analysis essay using the Funnel Method.

What is a literary analysis essay?

A literary analysis essay is an essay that focuses on analyzing a book, poem, or any other type of text, often exploring themes, characters, and other literary elements.

What is the Funnel Method in writing an introduction?

The Funnel Method is a strategy for writing introductions where the paragraph starts with a broad, abstract idea and gradually narrows down to a specific thesis statement.

Why is it called the 'Funnel Method'?

It’s called the Funnel Method because, like a funnel, the introduction starts broad with general ideas and narrows down to a specific point, which is the thesis.

What should be included in the broad, abstract idea in the introduction?

The broad, abstract idea should deal with a universal theme or commentary on human nature, without directly mentioning the text yet.

What type of background information should be included in the introduction?

The background information should provide relevant details from the text, such as character names, setting, or key events, to connect the abstract idea to the text.

What is a thesis statement in a literary analysis essay?

The thesis statement is the final sentence of the introduction, presenting the main claim or argument that the essay will aim to prove.

What example is used to demonstrate the Funnel Method in the video?

The example used is Shakespeare’s play 'Romeo and Juliet,' with the abstract idea focusing on the concept of fate versus free will.

What should be avoided in the introduction of a literary analysis essay?

The introduction should avoid retelling the plot of the text, assuming the reader is already familiar with the work.

What exercise is given to viewers at the end of the video?

Viewers are asked to practice writing an introduction by selecting a theme (freedom and independence, vengeance, or pride) and creating an abstract idea, background information, and thesis statement related to a text of their choice.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Writing a Literary Analysis Essay

This paragraph introduces the viewer to a tutorial on crafting an effective introduction for a literary analysis essay. The essay focuses on analyzing a book, poem, or any text. The presenter shares a real example from an English class and introduces the 'Funnel Method,' a strategy for writing introductions. This method involves starting with a broad theme related to the text's commentary on human nature, then narrowing down to specific details about the text, and finally presenting the thesis. The example of 'Romeo and Juliet' by Shakespeare is used to illustrate the method, where the abstract idea of fate versus free will is connected to the characters' motivations and conflicts, leading to the thesis statement about the characters' inability to escape their destiny.

Keywords

💡Literary Analysis Essay

A literary analysis essay is a type of academic writing that critically examines a piece of literature, such as a book or poem. It involves exploring themes, character development, and other literary elements to interpret the work's meaning. In the video, the focus is on how to write an effective introduction for such an essay, which sets the stage for the analysis to follow.

💡Introduction

The introduction of an essay is the opening section that presents the topic and provides a roadmap of what the reader can expect from the rest of the paper. In the context of the video, the introduction is crucial for engaging the reader and outlining the central argument or thesis of the literary analysis.

💡Funnel Method

The Funnel Method is a writing strategy described in the video as a way to structure the introduction of a literary analysis essay. It involves starting with a broad, abstract idea and gradually narrowing down to a specific thesis. The video uses the Funnel Method to demonstrate how to craft an introduction that captures the reader's interest and clearly states the essay's purpose.

💡Abstract Idea

An abstract idea in the context of the video refers to a broad, general concept that relates to the theme of the literary work being analyzed. It is the starting point of the Funnel Method, where the writer introduces a universal theme or commentary on human nature without mentioning the specific text. For example, the video discusses using the theme of fate versus free will as an abstract idea for an essay on 'Romeo and Juliet'.

💡Theme

A theme in literature is a central concept or message that the author intends to convey through the work. In the video, the theme is used as a bridge between the abstract idea and the specific text. It helps to connect the universal commentary to the particular story or characters being analyzed.

💡Background Information

Background information in a literary analysis essay provides context for the reader by including details about the text, such as setting, character names, or other relevant specifics. The video emphasizes that this information should be used to transition from the abstract idea to the thesis without retelling the plot.

💡Thesis

A thesis in an essay is a statement that presents the writer's argument or interpretation of the text. It is the culmination of the introduction and the 'narrow point' in the Funnel Method. The video gives an example of a thesis for 'Romeo and Juliet,' asserting that the characters' traits contribute to their tragic fate.

💡Character Profile

A character profile is a detailed description of a character's traits, motivations, and role in the story. In the video, the presenter mentions including a character profile as part of the background information if the essay focuses on a specific character, which helps to build a foundation for the thesis.

💡Plot

The plot of a story refers to the sequence of events that make up the narrative. The video advises against retelling the plot in the introduction, as it assumes the reader is already familiar with the text. Instead, the introduction should focus on analysis and interpretation.

💡Romeo and Juliet

'Romeo and Juliet' is a play by William Shakespeare used as an example in the video. It serves to illustrate how to apply the Funnel Method to write an introduction for a literary analysis essay, focusing on themes like fate and the characters' attempts to control their destinies.

💡Exercise

The exercise mentioned in the video is a practical application of the concepts discussed. It encourages viewers to practice writing introductions by choosing a theme and a text that embodies it, then outlining their abstract idea, background information, and thesis. This active learning approach helps to reinforce the video's teachings.

Highlights

Introduction to the Funnel Method for writing a literary analysis essay.

Start the introduction with a broad, abstract idea related to the theme of the text.

Gradually narrow down the introduction with background information from the text.

The thesis should be the final sentence, offering a specific claim you're proving in your essay.

The Funnel Method is named because the introduction goes from broad to specific, like a funnel.

Use the theme to generate an abstract idea without mentioning the text early in the introduction.

Relate the abstract idea to the text through details like setting, character names, or relevant information.

Do not retell the plot; assume the reader is familiar with the text.

Example: An abstract idea about 'Romeo and Juliet' could discuss fate versus free will.

Example: Thesis for 'Romeo and Juliet' – Romeo’s impulsiveness and Juliet’s ignorance allow fate to deceive them.

To find an abstract idea, ask questions about character motivations, conflicts, and the theme.

Character profiles or motivations can be useful as background information in the introduction.

Quick exercise: Write an intro using the theme of freedom and independence, vengeance, or pride/hubris.

Books related to specific themes include 'Jane Eyre,' 'Hamlet,' and 'Oedipus.'

Encouragement to comment responses to the exercise and engage with the content.

Transcripts

Welcome to the third video of my back-to-school series.

In this video, you'll learn how to write an effective introduction for a

literary analysis essay, which is an essay that focuses on a book, poem, or any other type of text.

You'll want to stay until the end, since I've included a real example of an introduction that I used for an English class.

A lot of English teachers talk about something called the "Funnel Method," which is a strategy you can use to write the introduction.

We'll go into why it's called the "Funnel" in a second, but this is how the structure of your intro will usually go.

You'll start with a broad, abstract idea without mentioning the name of the text.

That abstract idea will deal with a theme of the text, which is a universal commentary on human nature.

Once you talk about the theme, you'll relate this to the text by explaining some background information or specific details.

In this part of your introduction, you can mention the setting, or character names, or any relevant details from the text.

Finally, the last sentence of your intro will be your thesis, the claim that you're trying to prove in your essay.

So why is this called the "Funnel Method"? That's because a funnel starts out with a wide opening and narrows down to a small point.

Your introductory paragraph will also start with a wide, general, abstract idea;

gradually narrow down with background information;

and become extremely specific with your thesis.

Just as a funnel goes from wide to narrow, your intro will go from general to very specific.

We're going to use the example of the play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

If I were writing an introduction about this book,

my abstract idea might deal with the idea of fate versus free will,

and my thesis would explain Romeo and Juliet's fate.

To come up with an abstract idea for your intro, you'll have to ask yourself a few questions:

What motivates the characters?

What is the end goal?

What type of conflict exists?

Is it man vs. man, man vs. nature, or man vs. self?

And what's the overall theme?

Your background information about the text can include a variety of details.

I often include a character profile if my essay focuses on a specific character.

You might want to talk about the characters' thoughts or motivations, their hopes, their flaws,

and the obstacles that they face.

Most importantly, do not retell the plot of the book in the introduction.

Assume that your reader has already read the book and is an expert on it.

So let's go over an example intro about the book Romeo and Juliet,

the tragic love story between two teenagers whose families are enemies.

My abstract idea is the concept that fate is unavoidable and there is no such thing as free will.

I would claim that many individual misinterpret their fate or try to defy their destinies,

which only pushes them closer to it.

Notice how I haven't mentioned the title of the play yet or the author.

The background information would state that Romeo is a lovesick and reckless boy,

whereas Juliet is an innocent girl who is hesitant to love at first but then goes all in.

Both of these characters think that their marriage will prevent them from being split apart,

but it only makes their separation even more imminent, or faster.

Here's my thesis, my central claim:

Romeo's impulsiveness and Juliet's ignorance prevent them from avoiding their destiny,

enabling fate to deceive both lovers in Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

I'll put a link to my video on how to write a literary thesis step by step at the end of this video.

Here's a quick exercise for you to practice writing an introduction.

Once I give you a specific theme topic, you can find a book or text

that conveys that theme and write a few quick bullets explaining

what your abstract idea, background information, and thesis would be.

The first theme topic is freedom and independence. Some books that include this are Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and A Doll's House.

The second theme topic is Vengeance. Some texts that include this are Hamlet and Medea.

The third theme topic is pride or hubris. Some books that include this are Antigone and Oedipus.

Remember, you don't have to use these specific books. You can use your own.

Comment below with your response to this exercise.

That's all for this tutorial. If you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up.

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I am Ms. Peer Editor, and I will see you next time.