Antigone Essay: Intro Paragraph

Hook: Raise a broad issue of general relevance.
Writers frequently use quotes, questions, or relevant events to raise the issue. However, it is important to make the context and relevance of the elements clear. If you are having trouble incorporating a quote or event, try simply raising the issue in your own words.
Good Ex.
The great poet, Tennyson, noted, "bacon and eggs are both key to a full life, but one must decide which is eaten first."
Bad Ex.
"Bacon and eggs are both key to a full life, but one must decide which is eaten first." --Tennyson
Transition: Narrow the focus from the broad issue that everyone faces to the specific instance in this essay.
Try to make a smooth transition from one topic to the next (use a transition word or phrase at some point in the sentence) and avoid directly referring to the structure of your essay.
Good Ex.
In his play, Antigone, Sophocles discusses the significance of this moral challenge.
Bad Ex.
This paper is going to discuss how Sophocles felt about the problem Tennyson talked about.
Thesis: your identification of the theme.
The thesis is never merely the identification of a topic. consequently, it is never one word. It needs to clearly identify Sophocles' attitude or belief about the topic.
Good Ex.
Sophocles uses the play, Antigone to express his belief that eggs should be upheld at all times, even at the cost of bacon.
Bad Ex.
Sophocles presents the theme of bacon versus eggs in his play Antigone
Road map: Provide the audience with a general understanding of the supporting arguments you will present to validate your thesis.
Though you should try to clearly articulate the broad supporting contentions you plan to discuss, try to limit this discussion to one or two sentences.
Try to avoid passive voice or direct reference to the structure of your paper.
Avoid specific reference to concrete details and evidence -- save this support for the body paragraphs of your paper.
Good Ex.
The author uses elements of a traditional greek tragedy to support and clarify his position. He uses the traditional greek concepts of ate, hubris an hamartia to establish a tragic hero whose rash decisions will bring his downfall, and then develops tragic plot elements to show the inexorable fate that awaits any man foolish enough to prioritize bacon over eggs.
Bad Ex.
There are three reasons he says this: characterization, irony, and plot.