(9/3) Writing a Kick-Arse Intro: Comparative Edition (with Scaffolds)

The Introduction Scaffolds

In writing an introduction you need to include the following 5 elements…

1. Paraphrase the prompt
1. Demonstrates that you understand the prompt
2. Illustrates the direction you are taking with your response (through choice of synonyms)
2. Identify and outline your understanding of the key theme
1. Identifies your focus
2. Outlines you interpretation of the prompt and what it is asking you to do
3. Reference both texts
1. Must include title, author, form
4. Thesis statement
1. A statement linking both texts to the prompt
5. 2 main ideas
1. One idea for each text

Introduction Scaffolds

[1]Paraphrase the prompt]. Both Anh Do’s memior ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and Nam Le’s ‘The Boat’ discuss the idea of [2]outline what the main theme is]. In the texts [2]define your understanding of the main theme]. In both ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and ‘The Boat’ it is inferred that [4]Thesis statement]. In ‘The Happiest Refugee’ [5]Central message of THR in relation to the prompt] similarly/in contrast in ‘The Boat’ [5]Central message of TB in relation to the prompt].

 

Prompt #1 Unpacked

1. Underline: confronting situations, human relationships
2. Define: the people around the characters are often represented by family and it is these individuals who provide the protection, support and comfort in times of extreme adversity
3. Paraphrase: The people closest to us help us process the emotional and psychological trauma associated with conflict.
4. Central message for each text:

–   The Happiest Refugee: ‘Do suggests that without the foundation of support provided by family, self actualisation is extremely difficult,

–   The Boat: the characters require the support of the people around them. When this support is compromised (such as the ‘blindness’ of father, the characters can lose faith)

5. Thesis: it is the emotional support of others and construction of inter-personal connections that are most important in confronting and sometimes overcoming the challenges that are presented in life.

Sample #1

}  The people closest to us help us process the emotional and psychological trauma associated with conflict. Both Anh Do’s memoir ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and Nam Le’s ‘The Boat’ discuss the idea of family and the role individuals around us play in confronting change and in self actualisation. In the texts the people around the characters are often represented by family and it is these individuals who provide the protection, support and comfort in times of extreme adversity. In both ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and ‘The Boat’ it is inferred that it is the emotional support of others and construction of inter-personal connections that are most important in confronting and sometimes overcoming the challenges that are presented in life. In ‘The Happiest Refugee’ ‘Do suggests that without the foundation of support provided by family, self-actualisation is extremely difficult, similarly in ‘The Boat’ the characters require a similar foundation and like and like Anh struggle with the implications of such a foundation being compromised by the actions of others.

 

Prompt #2 Unpacked

1. Underline: fear, impact?, who you are
2. Define: In the texts fear extends from an individual’s desire to belong, to have a ‘home’ and a desire to protect those close and important to oneself. The importance of fear can be thought of not necessarily as the overt emotional reaction but as an individual’s reaction within challenging and confronting situations.
3. Paraphrase: An individual’s identity is often informed by how they deal with confrontation.
4. Central message for each text:

◦       In ‘The Happiest Refugee’ the character's source of fear stems from the threat of losing their home

◦       In ‘The Boat’ the characters journey in search of a home and their fear stems from being displaced and without a home.

5. Thesis: In both ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and ‘The Boat’ fear is used as a source of empowerment.

 

Sample #2: Med

An individual’s identity is often informed by how they deal with confrontation. Both Anh Do’s memoir ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and Nam Le’s ‘The Boat’ discuss the notion that it is fear and the ways we engage with and confront conflict that determines who we are as individuals. In the texts fear extends from an individual’s desire to belong, to have a ‘home’ and a desire to protect those close and important to oneself. The importance of fear can be thought of not necessarily as the overt emotional reaction but as an individual’s reaction within challenging and confronting situations. In both ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and ‘The Boat’ fear is used as a source of empowerment. In ‘The Happiest Refugee’ the character's source of fear stems from the threat of losing their home, in contrast in ‘The Boat’ the characters journey in search of a home and their fear stems from being displaced and without a home.

 

Sample #3: Med

An individual’s identity is often informed by how they deal with confrontation. Both Anh Do’s memoir ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and Nam Le’s ‘The Boat’ discuss the notion that it is fear and the ways we engage with and confront conflict that determines who we are as individuals. In the texts fear extends from an individual’s desire to belong, to have a ‘home’ and a desire to protect those close and important to oneself. The importance of fear can be thought of not necessarily as the overt emotional reaction but as an individual’s reaction within challenging and confronting situations. Individuals can choose either to rise above such situations and confront the fear or to become engulfed by the fear and thus disempowered by it. In both ‘The Happiest Refugee’ and ‘The Boat’ fear is used as a source of empowerment. In ‘The Happiest Refugee’ the character's source of fear stems from the threat of losing their home, in contrast in ‘The Boat’ the characters journey in search of a home and their fear stems from being displaced and without a home. Both texts use this search or protection of the home to represent the search or protection of an identity and the success of characters can be judged based on their ability to process such fears.