Research Writing

Research Writing Hooks, Thesis, Topic Sentences, Evidence, Justification, Transition Sentences, Clincher

Introduction Paragraphs Hooks and Thesis Statements

Introduction Paragraph Hook Necessary background Thesis • Hook- Grab reader’s attention • Background- Introduce the topic • Thesis-Summarize your claim and evidence

Hooks • Catches the reader’s attention right away • First sentence of your introduction

Types of Hooks • Dialogue • “And where do you think you’re going?” my mother asked, glaring at me. • Quotation • “Learn to laugh” is something my kindergarten teacher told me after Ralph Thorsen spilled paint on my daffodil picture. • Forest Gump once said, “life is like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you’re gonna get.”

Types of Hooks • Question should NOT be a simple yes/no answer • Who is the greatest athlete of all times? • Metaphor/Simile • My life has been a carnival. • My family is like an open book.

Types of Hooks • Intriguing statement startling fact, generality readers can relate to, or interesting personal connection • Recent research shows that dogs feel and experience a wide range of emotions – almost as many as most people!

Types of Hooks • Dilemma • Deciding to attend Hampton Roads Academy, a private school, was one of my most difficult decisions. • Jump begins right in the middle of the action • As I landed I felt my feet stick perfectly. I knew it would be a perfect 10

Which sentences is the hook? Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

Background • 3-4 sentences providing a basic overview of the topic • In middle of intro paragraph (between hook and thesis) • What do I need to know about what we’re talking about

Which sentences is background? Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

Thesis Statement • Purpose: Give a preview of your paper • Claim and evidence • In our case…. my debatable claim and and my three big ideas for evidence

Thesis • Claim + 3 pieces of evidence, written as a statement • Research Question: How can we prevent childhood obesity? • Thesis: Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

Which sentences is the thesis? Imagine an entire generation plagued with diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, and gallstones. These can be health results of obesity, an epidemic that is not only taking over our adult population but now impacts over 18% of our nation’s children (Smith 12). In order to be considered obese, children must have a BMI, or Body Mass Index, at or above the 95th percentile (Dern). Since body mass increases due to a lack of exercise and poor diet, obesity can be easily avoided with changes and monitoring. Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies.

Body Paragraphs Topic Sentences, Evidence, Justification, and Transition Sentences

Topic Sentence • First sentence in body paragraph • Introduces a single main idea (focus of the paragraph) Tip: turn one of the big ideas from your thesis into a statement • A topic sentence has 2 parts: • 1. It names the topic. • 2.It expresses an idea about it.

Statement should summarize your purpose and preview the point you are trying to make Too Broad: Mystery novels are fun to read. Too narrow: The last mystery novel I read was 300 pages long. Just Right: The plot of the novel May Tomorrow Never Come is suspenseful. Too Broad: Eating correctly is important. Too narrow: Spinach is an excellent source of iron. Just Right: An important step in preventing heart disease is eating fruits and vegetables daily.

Which is the topic sentence? One important study skill critical for college success is doing homework completely. Students who are working for academic success know that it is important to follow the directions for each exercise (Smith 21). For example, if the math instructor has asked students to show all their work on a homework assignment, then the students should complete all steps of each problem. Successful students also attempt to answer all the questions in every homework assignment (Jones). If a problem is easy, the student can place a check mark next to it in the margin. If one of the problems is especially difficult, the student can place a question mark next to it as a reminder to ask the instructor for help. All in all, students who work hard to complete their homework to the best of their ability are well on their way to success in the classroom.

Body of Body Paragraphs • Evidence (citation) + Justification • Each piece of evidence (quote or paraphrase) must be justified in your own unique words • Tip: For justification, explain how this piece of evidence helps prove your thesis • Goal: At least three pieces of research per paragraph

Note: Quotations CANNOT stand alone • You must add a blurb before or after your quote to add context According to Smith, “Quote…” (71). “Quote…,” according to Smith (71). ^CORRECT “Quote…” (Smith 71). ^INCORRECT

Citing Evidence • ALL evidence, whether paraphrase or direct quote, must be cited “Quote…” (author’s last name page #). If there is no author, then use first 5 words of title If there is no page number, then leave it blank

Correct or incorrect? Quoting from an article by John Smith on page 21 • An example is, “Quote…,” (Smith 21). • An example is, “Quote…” (Smith pg. 21). • An example is, “Quote…” (21). • An example is, “Quote…” (Smith 21) • An example is, “Quote…” (Smith). • An example is, “Quote…” (John Smith 21).

Which is the evidence? One important study skill critical for college success is doing homework completely. Students who are working for academic success know that it is important to follow the directions for each exercise (Smith 21). For example, if the math instructor has asked students to show all their work on a homework assignment, then the students should complete all steps of each problem. Successful students also attempt to answer all the questions in every homework assignment (Jones). If a problem is easy, the student can place a check mark next to it in the margin. If one of the problems is especially difficult, the student can place a question mark next to it as a reminder to ask the instructor for help. All in all, students who work hard to complete their homework to the best of their ability are well on their way to success in the classroom.

Which is the justification? One important study skill critical for college success is doing homework completely. Students who are working for academic success know that it is important to follow the directions for each exercise (Smith 21). For example, if the math instructor has asked students to show all their work on a homework assignment, then the students should complete all steps of each problem. Successful students also attempt to answer all the questions in every homework assignment (Jones). If a problem is easy, the student can place a check mark next to it in the margin. If one of the problems is especially difficult, the student can place a question mark next to it as a reminder to ask the instructor for help. All in all, students who work hard to complete their homework to the best of their ability are well on their way to success in the classroom.

Transition/Concluding Sentence • Last sentence summarizes what you spoke about • Hints at what you will speak about in the next paragraph • Uses a transition word to shift to the next paragraph

Which is the Transition/Concluding sentence? One important study skill critical for college success is doing homework completely. Students who are working for academic success know that it is important to follow the directions for each exercise (Smith 21). For example, if the math instructor has asked students to show all their work on a homework assignment, then the students should complete all steps of each problem. Successful students also attempt to answer all the questions in every homework assignment (Jones). If a problem is easy, the student can place a check mark next to it in the margin. If one of the problems is especially difficult, the student can place a question mark next to it as a reminder to ask the instructor for help. All in all, students who work hard to complete their homework to the best of their ability are well on their way to success in the classroom.

Rebuttal Paragraph • After your evidence-based body paragraphs but before the conclusion • States the counter claim (topic sentence) • Proves the counter-claim wrong using evidence and justification

Which is the counter-claim? Some may say that being successful academically in college is not as important as the “experience” of college. They say that one should focus on having fun because you only get this experience once. However, author David Smith points out that “14% of students drop out of college their first year due to excessive partying” (23). Therefore, if you focus too much on the experience you may end up leaving college entirely, and then you get no “experience” at all. Opponents also say that academic success is not as important as getting an internship. While over 62% of college students graduate having an internship, they are only at that internship for one year, whereas they are at the college for four years (Johnston). Continued success over four years outweighs just one at an internship.

Which statements acknowledge the other side’s beliefs? Some may say that being successful academically in college is not as important as the “experience” of college. They say that one should focus on having fun because you only get this experience once. However, author David Smith points out that “14% of students drop out of college their first year due to excessive partying” (23). Therefore, if you focus too much on the experience you may end up leaving college entirely, and then you get no “experience” at all. Opponents also say that academic success is not as important as getting an internship. While over 62% of college students graduate having an internship, they are only at that internship for one year, whereas they are at the college for four years (Johnston). Continued success over four years outweighs just one at an internship.

Which sentences prove the counter-claim wrong? Some may say that being successful academically in college is not as important as the “experience” of college. They say that one should focus on having fun because you only get this experience once. However, author David Smith points out that “14% of students drop out of college their first year due to excessive partying” (23). Therefore, if you focus too much on the experience you may end up leaving college entirely, and then you get no “experience” at all. Opponents also say that academic success is not as important as getting an internship. While over 62% of college students graduate having an internship, they are only at that internship for one year, whereas they are at the college for four years (Johnston). Continued success over four years outweighs just one at an internship.

Concluding Paragraph Restated Thesis, Ideas for Action, Clincher

Restated thesis • First sentence of conclusion • Paraphrase your thesis (structure and word choice) • Because _______, _______, and ________, ____debatable claim_____

Example of Paraphrased Thesis Original Thesis: Childhood obesity is preventable because we can promote healthy food choices, increase exciting exercise options, and implement school policies Paraphrased Thesis (order and words) If we encourage eating smart foods, provide exercise options that are fun, and put in place strong school policies, then one can prevent childhood obesity.

Ideas for Action • Opposite of “background” in the intro • Now that you’ve given us all of this evidence, what do you want us to do about it? • Why should we care? • If it’s historical, how does this influence us now? • If it’s a modern topic, what should we do about it?

Clinchers • Last sentence of introduction • Remember, your purpose is to persuade them. Your last sentence should be last punch to convince them you are right and to do something about it.

Call to personal action • What do YOU need to do differently in your life? Example: As I grow older, I must always remember how important my mother is and will be in my life, and that without her I would not be the person I am today.

Echo • Revisit and connect to your hook (Hook: strained dialogue showing phone conversation with my mom when I was selfish) Example: Positive dialogue phone conversation showing how close my mom and I are

Inspire a bigger change • What in the world needs to change? Example: We all should take the time to appreciate the people in our lives who made us who we are.

Prediction • What might happen next for you? Example: As I continue to grow and start a family, I do not know where I will end up. But what I do know for sure is that my mother will always be a part of my life.

Warning • What do other people need to be afraid of? Example: If we get caught up in our own selfishness and ignore our past, we will no doubt push away those closest to us.

Research Writing