Introductions in a Persuasive Research Essay

1. Introductions in a Persuasive Research Essay

2. The Hook As you already know, a hook is an attention grabber that grabs the attention of the reader. In a research paper, a hook should be a statistic, quote, or fact that is cited with an in-text citation. For the purposes of this essay, please use a rhetorical device in your hook.

3. A Testimonial as a Hook Example: In 1952 Jonas Salk discovered a vaccine for Polio (Encarta, 2006). According to the founder of the World Health Organization, �Salk�s discovery changed the way that the world fought against the Polio virus� (www.who.org).

4. An Appeal to Pity as a Hook Statistics: According to the United Nations International Children�s Eradication Fund (UNICEF), 1 out of 3 children in Africa have a relative who suffers from HIV and/or AIDS. (www.unicef.org).

5. The Thesis The thesis is your overriding statement that announces the main topic of your essay. In a research paper, once you have read a variety of sources, you are ready to form a thesis statement that answers your research question.

6. Research Question to Thesis: Turn your thesis into a statement. Research Question: Should states regulate the use of cell phones in moving vehicles? Thesis Statement: States should regulate use of cell phones on the road because many drivers are using the phones irresponsibly and causing accidents.

7. The Subtopics Remember, include your subtopics in your introductory paragraph to guide the reader. Three Reasons Supporting your side (2/3/1 Format) The Other Side Counterargument

8. Hook: Statistic about how many children suffered from Polio before 1952 and how many suffer now (Appeal to Fear). Thesis: Because of the discovery of the Polio Vaccine by Jonas Salk, Polio has been virtually eradicated from the planet. Subtopic #1 � Describe the symptoms of Polio (Appeal to Pity) Subtopic #2 � Discuss distribution of vaccine throughout the world (Bandwagon Appeal) Subtopic #3: Statistic about how many lives saved because of Salk (Transfer) Subtopic #4: Other side statistic about increase of Polio in the last 10 years. Subtopic #5: Explain how statistic is misleading because world population is bigger now (Parallelism) So What?: Heroic praise of Salk (Loaded Language) Outline Form

9. Can you identify the Hook, Thesis, Subtopics? Since 1952, the amount of children suffering from the polio vaccine worldwide has been reduced by 90% (Center for Disease control). Because of the discovery of the Polio Vaccine by Jonas Salk, Polio has been virtually eradicated from the planet. This essay will discuss the definition of Polio, how the World Health Organization have immunized children against Polio throughout the world, and how Jonas Salk should be considered a hero for saving the lives of millions of children. Some would argue that Polio is still a threat today, but I will prove that those threats are false.

10. Since 1952, the amount of children suffering from the polio vaccine worldwide has been reduced by 90% (Center for Disease control). Because of the discovery of the Polio Vaccine by Jonas Salk, Polio has been virtually eradicated from the planet. This essay will discuss the definition of Polio, how the World Health Organization immunized children against Polio throughout the world, and how Jonas Salk should be considered a hero for saving the lives of millions of children. Some would argue that Polio is still a threat today, but I will prove that those threats are false. KEY: Hook Thesis Subtopics

11. Your Task Use your outline to develop your subtopics Create a Thesis Find a hook to grab the reader�s attention Write a draft of your introduction paragraph in the NOTES SECTION of your DMA Notebook. HOMEWORK: Typed, double-spaced copy of your introduction paragraph*% *=Period 4, please bring two copies. %= all drafts should be typed and double-spaced!!!!!