Essay Structure

What’s the structure of an introduction?

1. Global Statement

2. Specific Statement

3. Plot Summary

4. Thesis

Example of Global Statement

“Storytelling in films often relies on established conventions to engage audiences, shape meaning, and create memorable narratives.”

Example of Specific Statement

“In Ocean’s Eleven and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, the leading man is portrayed differently through Danny Ocean and Eddy.”

Example Plot summary

“In Ocean’s Eleven (2001), directed by Steven Soderbergh, Danny Ocean is represented as a calm and suave leading man who takes control of his team to steal from three Las Vegas Casinos. Conversely, the representation of Eddie in Guy Ritchie’s 1998 film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels shows him to be a tense, working class leading man who uses the money from his crew to try and win a game of poker.”

Example Thesis Statement

“In Ocean’s Eleven, the use of costume and dialogue has represented Danny as a calm and smooth character, whose confidence is clear and visible. On the other hand, Eddie’s costume and dialogue in Lock, Stock represents him as tense and a working-class underdog who is unlikely to succeed. The different representations of these characters has been used by the texts’ creators to elicit a different response from their audience.”