2. Beginnings and endings… Should explain the paper Should summarize the main point(s) of your paper Should start or end with a powerful statement A startling statistic A fascinating fact An interesting quote A detailed description A thoughtful question
3. Leading with a… powerful statement Your main goal: Convince people that this topic is important and that your person is worth reading about! Pollution is a huge problem in our world. Earthquakes affect many people in the world, but what causes them? Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” What is global warming? By this year, it is estimated that there will be over 25 million children in the world who have been orphaned by AIDS.
4. Conclusions…So what??? Your goal: To inspire people, make them feel something What do you want people to remember about your person? Remind people of the main ideas. Don’t just repeat them word-for-word. Explain their importance. Add a powerful statement A strong quote, a startling statistic, something you didn’t mention earlier
5. The “voice” of a researcher! Martin Luther King, Jr. did many good things. I think Ichiro is the best baseball player, because… You should dream big dreams too. Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the world by using his words and peaceful protests to fight against injustice during the Civil Rights Movement. Ichiro Suzuki has set a new standard for lead-off hitters everywhere, with his uncanny ability to produce runs and drive in runs when it counts the most. By following Dr. King’s example, each of us can dream big dreams…and quite possibly see a world of change.
6. Writing a quality paragraph Topic sentence Introduce the main idea. Strong, specific details/evidence These should support/explain the main idea. Good transition sentence Final thought about the main idea, a transition into the next main idea
7. Creating a paragraph In 1947, Major League Baseball’s Rookie of the Year was no ordinary man. Though superbly talented, this player was also mocked and ridiculed by even his own team members…simply because he was African-American. In his baseball career, Jackie Robinson also won the prestigious MVP award, and he even led the league that year in stolen bases. In 1949, Robinson’s impressive batting average of .349 let everyone know what a valuable player he was. Jackie Robinson’s diligence to play hard – with or without the support of others – made him more than a great baseball player…but a great man as well.