Jr. Research Essay Writing Workshop English 11 Perry High School

Start with a great THESIS  Make sure your thesis is clear, concise and able to be supported.  Create a thesis statement that starts with the counter- argument.

For Example:  “Although many feel stricter gun contr0l- laws and regulations will help decrease the amount of gun-related crimes, gun-control laws are ineffective and will infringe upon our citizens’ right to protect themselves.”  “While many argue that we have a responsibility to teach students about dangerous topics such as suicide, self- harm, teaching them about these disturbing topics creates an educational environment that is negative and not uplifting.”

Confirmation/ Argument  TWO body paragraphs with TWO examples of textual evidence.

Confirmation Paragraph #1  Topic Sentence  SEEset #1  Statement  Evidence  Explanation/Elaboration  SEEset #2  Statement  Evidence  Explanation/Elaboration  Conclusion Sentence

 One reason educators should refrain from addressing topics such as suicide, murder, self-harming and other disturbing topics is that it does not provide a promising and uplifting educational experience.  Despite the fact that teenagers believe they are ready to discuss, read and expose themselves to such morbid topics, this does not necessarily prepare them for a promising educational experience.  For example, Dr. John Stanley in an article entitled The Dangers of our Social Access to Disturbia, argues that teenagers are increasingly being exposed to “various morbid topics such as teen suicide, young people cutting [of the skin], and the use of illegal drugs” (11). Dr. Stanley states that this excessive exposure is causing problems with teens and the perception of the dangers of their society. TSE

 As our youth are continually being subjected to these harsh images, they are shaping a perception of the world that is negative, desperate and hopeless. Teenagers are viewing their world as despondent and glum.  Surely, this is not the kind of upbringing in which we want our youngsters to have. E

 The prolonged exposure to harmful images contributes to the likelihood of damaging the biology of the emerging teenage brain.  For example, Dr. Sarah Tamlin in an article entitled Brain Warp: Changing Teen Brains, argues that teenagers who are exposed to disturbing or shocking images over a period of time develop a sort of phobia in their perception of the dangers of the world (3). Dr. Tamlin writes that this barrage of images may work to create a person who is consistently over-fearful of everyday challenges.  This evidence suggests that the teenage brain is being unnaturally morphed into one that does not see the world as it really is, but as a scary and nightmarish place. This cannot be healthy for our youngsters.  It is clear to see that we need to ensure that this cannot happen. SEE

Confirmation Paragraph #2  Another reason educators should refrain from addressing topics such as suicide, murder, self-harming and other disturbing topics is that ________________.  SEEset #1  Statement  Evidence  Explanation/Elaboration  SEEset #2  Statement  Evidence  Explanation/Elaboration  Conclusion Sentence

Confirmation Paragraph #2  Topic Sentence  SEEset #1  Statement  Evidence  Explanation/Elaboration  SEEset #2  Statement  Evidence  Explanation/Elaboration  Conclusion Sentence

Concession/ Refutation Paragraph  Concession to an Opposing Position  Refute the Opposing Position

Some believe that it is our responsibility to see that our children are protected from the dangers lurking in the real world by exposing them to harmful images and concepts such as teen suicide. This is important. Our society has a duty to make sure that our youngsters are prepared to deal with the dangerous out there in the real world. It is our job to make sure that our children develop skills that will help them act appropriately in perilous situations. Concede to the Opposing Position:

And although it is critical to attempt to protect our children in this increasingly hazardous world, shielding them from dangerous images helps them develop at an appropriate pace. Teen- agers who are safeguarded from these dangers do not develop mental issues that include phobias and destructive behaviors. The mental and physical health of our youth has to be central when deciding whether to allow them to gain access to such detrimental images. Refute the Opposing Position:

Conclusion Paragraph  Restate your Claim  State your Call to Action  Lasting thoughts  Clincher sentence

Conclusion Paragraph Example: Teaching our young students about disturbing topics creates an educational environment that is negative, dangerous and not uplifting. As a society, we must work together to limit the access to dangerous images by our impressionable children. We must work together to find ways to prevent them from hurting themselves this way. As a society, protecting our children needs to be a priority over the need to have free access to the media. If we cannot guard our youth from the dangers in the media, we cannot ensure a safe and positive environment in which they will live. Restate Thesis Call to Action Lasting Thoughts Clincher