Introduction (▼ = broad to narrow)
The Thesis Statement must be your should statement and your two reasons, like these:
How to write the FIRST sentence (QQSS):
Don't do ALL of these; just pick one to begin your introduction.
Here's a sample introduction:
No one should have to live in constant fear. What kind of life would that be, to always be looking over your shoulder and wondering if someone is about to harm or even kill you? Schools, especially, are places where people shouldn't have to wonder whether today is the day they're going to die. But with school shootings becoming more and more common, that kind of fear is also becoming prevalent among students. Many people believe that giving certain teachers guns would help, and that makes sense, as long as it's done correctly. Teachers with special training should be allowed to carry guns at school because it would reduce students' anxiety and deter possible intruders.
Here's the first sentence of each following paragraph:
First, trained teachers should be able to carry guns because it could reduce student's anxiety. [Body paragraph #1]
A second reason teachers with training should carry guns at school is to deter possible intruders. [Body paragraph #2]
On the other side of this argument, some people believe that having any gun inside a school building is just inviting trouble. [Counter-argument]
So, in order to help prevent intruders and to alleviate anxiety among students, schools should begin allowing teachers with specialized training to carry a gun while on the job. [Conclusion]
- Spark my interest.
- Give me some background information.
- Tell me why this topic is important.
- Gradually lead to the thesis statement.
- End with your "Thesis Statement."
The Thesis Statement must be your should statement and your two reasons, like these:
- "El Dorado High School should start later in the morning because of the students' health and academic performance."
- "El Dorado High School should start later so students can get more sleep and perform better academically."
How to write the FIRST sentence (QQSS):
Don't do ALL of these; just pick one to begin your introduction.
- Q = Quote [“We do not need guns and bombs to bring peace, we need love and compassion” (goodreads.com). This was Mother Teresa's view and is the view held by many people today.]
- Q = Question [How many babies have to die before society realizes there's a problem?]
- S = Statement [No one should have to live in constant fear.]
- S = Story [This is harder to do, but it should be a very short anecdote of something related to your topic.]
Here's a sample introduction:
No one should have to live in constant fear. What kind of life would that be, to always be looking over your shoulder and wondering if someone is about to harm or even kill you? Schools, especially, are places where people shouldn't have to wonder whether today is the day they're going to die. But with school shootings becoming more and more common, that kind of fear is also becoming prevalent among students. Many people believe that giving certain teachers guns would help, and that makes sense, as long as it's done correctly. Teachers with special training should be allowed to carry guns at school because it would reduce students' anxiety and deter possible intruders.
Here's the first sentence of each following paragraph:
First, trained teachers should be able to carry guns because it could reduce student's anxiety. [Body paragraph #1]
A second reason teachers with training should carry guns at school is to deter possible intruders. [Body paragraph #2]
On the other side of this argument, some people believe that having any gun inside a school building is just inviting trouble. [Counter-argument]
So, in order to help prevent intruders and to alleviate anxiety among students, schools should begin allowing teachers with specialized training to carry a gun while on the job. [Conclusion]
Research Paper - Honors English 9
You have two options: a book talk & video or a presentation & video.
