Different Attention Grabbers Used in Introductions

Begin by addressing the reader directly.

“Sly as a fox,” “stuffed like a pig,” or “big as an elephant” are similes

people use about the animals around them to describe human

attributes. This idea is not new and probably will continue; however, the

animals in novels can also represent human characteristics. John

Steinbeck, one author of the 1930’s, used animals to parallel the

characteristics of the men in his novel Of Mice and Men.

Begin with an interesting or dramatic quote

Samuel Butler once said, "All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it." Even though this might be true, animals instinctively sense when they are being threatened and use defensive characteristics to preserve that life. Whether an animal thinks or contemplates about something is debatable, but instinctively an animal will become very still or tuck its tail between its legs, or raise the hair on its neck and back when certain situations arise. John Steinbeck, in his novel Of Mice and Men, parallels the behavior of various animals with the behaviors of men who are involved in situations where they too must use instinctive senses to survive.

Begin with an anecdote or example

Iris walked her dog through its paces at the dog show. Her family watched

with delight as they realized their beloved mother’s hair resembled the

flopping ears of her pure bred dog. As Iris’s hair bobbed up and down so

did the dog’s curly haired ears. After the show, her children teased her

about how much the dog looked like her. Iris laughed and joked about how

dogs and their owners often looked alike. This is quite true. It seems that

quite often animals remind people of other people or people react with the

same instincts that animals do. In Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, animals

often symbolize the way men behave in various situations.

Begin with an enlightening or unusual fact

“In Egypt the heron is considered the creator of light. In China the heron is a symbol of strength, purity, and long life. Native Americans consider the heron a symbol of wisdom and a very good omen.” "According to North American Native tradition, the Blue Heron brings messages of self-determination and self-reliance. They represent an ability to progress and evolve. The long thin legs of the heron reflect that an individual doesn't need great massive pillars to remain stable, but must be able to stand on one's own. Blue Herons have the innate wisdom of being able to maneuver through life and co-create their own circumstances. Blue Herons reflect a need for those with this totem to follow their own unique wisdom and path of self-determination. These individuals know what is best for them and need to follow their hearts rather than the promptings of others. Those with the Medicine of the Great Blue Heron may sit until the rest of us lose patience. And, when they follow the promptings of the heart, they are one of the most magnificent when they choose to soar. This is the message that Blue Heron brings” (www.blueheronenv.com/meaning.htm). Herons are symbolic in many areas of the world and in many cultures. They are just one on the many animals, sea creatures, and birds that symbolize certain characteristics to mankind. Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men mentions many animals that are symbolic of the people in the plot.

Begin with a simple statement of your thesis

John Steinbeck in his novel Of Mice and Men includes animals that have

symbolic characteristics which can be compared to those of the people in the

plot. The animals are rabbits, a snake, a heron, a dog, and a lizard. The

characters are the men and the woman on the ranch.

Begin with a question or a challenge

QuestionWhat do rabbits, mice, snakes, herons, and dogs have in common? They are all common symbols used to represent men. Steinbeck in his novel Of Mice and Men includes animals like these who have symbolic characteristics which can be compared to those of the people in the plot.

ChallengeMake a list of the animals that are used as symbols for man.

The list would be enormous and cumbersome, but authors select animals as symbols for traits of man all of the time. John Steinbeck in his novel Of Mice and Men includes animals that have symbolic characteristics which can be compared to those of the people in the plot.

Begin with an outrageous or comical statement

"I live in my own little world. But it's okay; they know me here”

is a saying that appears on many t-shirts today. It is a cute saying

and is true for so many people. This truly does apply to the

people in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. They certainly do

live in their own little world and they do know the people there.

However, there is a deeper side to the characters and that is their

connection with characteristics that animals have. Steinbeck in

his novel gives word pictures of animals that have characteristics

which can be compared to those of the people in the plot.