Lesson 12

Lesson Goals

• Can I craft an effective introduction for my essay?

• Can I craft an effective conclusion for my essay?

Texts

Core

• • Excerpt from “Depressive Illness Delayed Hamlet’s Revenge,” Aaron Shaw and Neil Pickering, BMJ Publishing Group, Ltd., 2002
  • Excerpt from “Representing Ophelia: Women, Madness, and the Responsibilities of Feminist Criticism,” Elaine Showalter, Methuen Publishing, 1985
  • Excerpt from “The Sanity of Hamlet,” Tenney L. Davis, The Journal of Philosophy, 1921

Materials

Activity 1: Discuss

We will reread our draft body paragraphs and consider what needs to be done to introduce our claims.

Participate in a class discussion about ways to introduce an essay, including the following components:

• providing relevant background knowledge

• piquing the reader’s interest

• clearly stating your central claim

• “completing the circle” (linking an opening question, example, or quotation to a final set of thoughts)

• avoiding cliches

• implementing other ideas suggested by your teacher or classmates

Determine which idea would provide an effective opener for your literary analysis. Draft an introduction for your essay.

Activity 2: Discuss

We will think about how to conclude our essay in a way that will leave our intended readers with final thoughts that can “complete the circle” with our introductory ideas and paragraphs.

Participate in a class discussion about ways to conclude an essay. Include the following options:

• directly linking the conclusion to the introduction to “complete the circle” and increase the argument’s sense of unit

• using a final example, story, or quotation to add a dramatic finish to the essay

• avoiding cliches

• implementing other options suggested by your teacher or classmates

Use ideas from the discussion to draft a conclusion for your essay. Complete the conclusion for homework, if needed.