Starting sentence and thesis for this writing prompt?

Question

This is for an 11th grade AP English class.

The books that we read are The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Scarlet Letter. I'm trying to think of a good starting sentence, but I'm never good with this stuff. Can anyone help?

This is the prompt:

A popular yet cynical and confrontational slogan advieses, "Don't get mad; get even." As you read both novels, the motivation, the desire and the actual quest for vengeance will be encountered, even if not directly related to the protagonist in each case.

How does each author seem to feel about the issue of revenge, and how does each deal with the appropriateness, the effectiveness, and the consequences of seeking vengeance on those whom characters perceive to have wronged them? Target the specific elements involving revenge in each novel, and focus on responding to the questions which begin this paragraph!

Answer 1

Well, your teacher is asking you to consider how Twain and Hawthorne each treat the theme of vengeance in their novels.  You'll probably find from your reading that they present it quite differently because they are two very different writers who wrote at different points in time.

I would begin broadly, that is with a general sentence introducing the topic of vengeance, or revenge, not necessarily connected to the two titles.  Then in the next sentence I might introduce one of the two titles with a still-general statement about how vengeance is addressed in that book.  I'd discuss the other title right after that.  The last sentence could be your thesis statement, which should end your introductory paragraph:  what is the overall, arguable statement you want to spend your paper proving?  (Sorry -- you gotta figure this out yourself!)

Those questions your teacher asks in the 2nd paragraph of the prompt can be answered in your body paragraphs.  You might find yourself flipping back and forth between the two titles, or you might discuss one title in depth first, answering all those questions, then transitioning to an in-depth discussion of the other title.  Good luck.