Introductory Paragraph should have the
following:
1. Title of the poem, short story, or novel (text, p. 36)
1. Full name of the author in the first sentence; after
that, just his or her last name, no matter what gender
(text, p. 36)
2. Thesis statement – central argument/position
(not a fact) which drives your essay;
Introductory Paragraph: examples
1. Title of the poem, short story, or novel (p. 36)
e.g. In the novel The Good Earth (underline novel
titles, use quotations for short works: poems, short
stories, essays)
2. Full name of the author (p. 36)
e.g. In the novel The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck,
(comma!) …
3. Thesis statement (see next slide)
Intro: Thesis (CFC)
Thesis statement:
a) names a “complexity” or a “juxtaposition”
between two ideas, or some kind of
“contradiction”, or “change.” (e.g. hot & cold,
tension & release) a.k.a. shift (in tone, setting…)
b) explains the function of the “complexity” (what
is its role in the novel, story?)
c) contains key words or conjunctions for the
thesis: BUT, HOWEVER, YET, NOT ONLY…BUT,
ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH etc.
What is a thesis statement?
 The main idea or ‘brain’ of your
paper – drives the essay –this is
where you burn off fat!!!
 Not a factual statement, but a
claim or an argument/position
e.g. Wang Lung is the main
character of The Good Earth by
Pearl S. Buck.
How do I Know if my Thesis is Strong?
Acronym: CFC
Have I named a complexity /juxtaposition/shift?
2. Have I stated the function of the
complexity/shift?
3. Have I used conjunctions such as although, not
only… but, however, yet… TO HELP ME WITH
THE SENTENCE STRUCTURE?
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
1. Have I taken a position others would oppose?
2. Now that I have my thesis, do I know what to
write about?
1.
 Choose the best thesis statement from the list
below and explain why you feel it answers
questions 2, 3, and 5 from the previous slide.
 Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great
American novel.
 In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a
contrast between life on the river and life on the
shore.
 By contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s
Huckleberry Finn suggests that in order to
experience American democratic ideals, one
must leave “civilized” society and go back to
nature.
 Choose the best thesis statement from the list below
and explain why you feel it answers questions 2, 3, and 5
from the previous slide.
 In “The Necklace,” Guy de Maupassant uses setting
to reflect the character and development of the main
character, Mathilde Loisel.
 In “The Necklace,” Mathilde’s character changes
dramatically.
 In “The Necklace,” Guy de Maupassant uses setting
to show the development of the main character,
Mathilde Loisel. The change in her character can be
related to the first apartment, the dream-life
mansion rooms, the attic flat, and the public street.
Let’s re-cap: In the intro, we need
 The title of the literary work (what do we underline? when
do we use quotations?)
 Full name of the author at first; after that, only the last
name
 Thesis – CFC (complexity or shift, function, conjunctions)
1. An argument, position - NOT A FACT
2. C: Shows a ‘”complexity” (contradiction: hot & cold,
tension/release), a.k.a. juxtaposition, change, shift
3. F: Explains the “function” of the complexity/shift (What is
the purpose or role of that complexity?)
4. C: Conjunctions or key words to help you construct the
thesis: not only … but, however, yet, despite, but
Practice #1:The Good Earth, p.183, last
paragraph, “When O-lan had come to…” - CFC
What is the “complexity” or “shift” (contradiction,
change, complication, juxtaposition)?
2. What is the “function” (role, meaning) of this
complexity or shift?
3. Look for “conjunctions” or key words: but, yet,
however, although… (shifts or changes in meaning,
tone, setting… )
4. If you had to break this passage down, where would
you break it? Where is the “cut” or SHIFT?
1.
P. 183, last paragraph: Construct your
thesis (read passage first)
COMPLEXITY/SHIFT –
SNIPPETS OF QUOTES
FUNCTION
CONJUNCTIONS
O-lan was “health to his
flesh”
suggests a healthy relationship with
O. quality of W.’s relationship with O.
But
O-lan:“he lusted for her
robustly as a beast for his
mate”
suggests the strength of his desire,
passion
BUT(SHIFT): Lotus: “no
health in her for him”
Contrast!!! Is Lotus like a disease, the
opposite of health? (quality of his
relationship with Lotus)
ALTHOUGH,
EVEN THOUGH
Lotus: “dying of thirst,”
suggests unhappiness,dissatisfaction,
“greater thirst,” “unsatisfied” dysfunctional attraction, addiction?
Thesis:
Wang___________,but(SHIFT)__________.
Practice #2:The Good Earth, p.214, first
paragraph, “As he had been healed…” - CFC
What is the “complexity” OR “shift (contradiction,
change, complication, juxtaposition)?
2. What is the “function” (role, meaning) of this
complexity?
3. Look for “conjunctions” or key words:but, however,
yet, although… (shifts or changes in meaning, tone,
setting… )
4. If you had to break this passage down, where would
you break it? Where is the “cut” or “shift?”
1.
P. 214, first paragraph: Construct your
thesis
COMPLEXITY/SHIFT –
SNIPPETS OF QUOTES
FUNCTION
CONJUNCTIONS
“healed of his sickness of
heart”
W. is feeling better (his love for ALTHOUGH, EVEN
Lotus made him crazy, ill
THOUGH
(synonyms for sick)
AGAIN??? “healed of his
sickness of love”
W. got over Lotus
“he lay down upon his
land”
W. feels intimate with his land,
the “good earth” again
SHIFT: “health of the
earth spread into his flesh
and he was healed of his
sickness”
ha! found my “complexity” or
“juxtaposition” – now he’s
healthy, and his land cured
him. That’s his medicine.
BUT
Thesis: ___________, BUT(SHIFT)___________.
(students provide examples of possible sentences)
More exercises for CFC from The Good Earth:
 Practice #3: pp.108-9, last paragraph + top of p.
109, “It was only one day…” – CFC
 Practice #4: pp.125-126, last paragraph until the
middle of the p. 126: “O-lan took it and sewed it
into a shoe sole…”
 Practice #5: pp.359-360, the end of the novel: “But
one day he saw…” until the end of the novel.