Writing Paragraph One of an essay You will thank me some day.

1st Paragraph: Introduction THE MOST IMPORTANT PARAGRAPH! This is the MOST IMPORTANT PARAGRAPH! Without it your essay falls apart! There are 5 parts to remember. (You will be quizzed on these.) Hook (Also called an Attention Getter) 2-3 sentences Introduce the Topic One sentence Give Two Sides of the Issue & Information Four sentences Lead Sentence One sentence Claim/Thesis Statement! Most important One sentence

1st Part : Attention Getter or Hook Never a question. A Few Choices: Interesting Comments/Facts with good verbs Quotes are great too but difficult during testing unless the source is available. Anecdotes are short stories that make a point. Drop the Reader into a Scene

1st Part Prompt: Decide if school uniforms are beneficial or debilitating to students and schools. The smell of newly sharpened pencils filled the air. Crisp new college ruled paper filled bright binders. As the teacher looked out at the sea of khaki and navy blue, she was astonished to notice the same doll-drum look on each face. Welcome to the first day of school.

2nd Part : Introduce the Topic This should always be a question. Take it right from the prompt. If not in question form, write it down in the form of a question.

2nd Part: Introduce the Topic Prompt: Decide if school uniforms are beneficial or debilitating to students and schools. What is better for a school, strict or relaxed dress codes for students? This question is nearly exactly like the prompt. It is simply a question instead of a statement.

3rd: Explain the Issue & Both Sides Two sentences are needed, one for each side. Use wording like: Some people think… Others believe… You will need two more sentences here on background. (4 sentences total)

3rd Part: Explain the Issue and Both Sides Prompt: Decide if school uniforms are beneficial or debilitating to students and schools. Some people think that obtaining a strict dress code for their school should be necessary. Others believe that students should be able to express themselves. The state is now deciding on this issue. Schools are either for or against this issue. There are four sentences here including two sentences that explain both sides of the topic and two sentences with background information.

Not 4th: Lead Sentence Should start with a weak transition word. Examples: “Perhaps… Maybe…” This leads your reader to your side gently. Not

4th Part: Lead Sentence Prompt: Decide if school uniforms are beneficial or debilitating to students and schools. Perhaps, it is strict uniforms that overwhelm students into leaving school. Notice the very simple transition word. Also, the statement doesn’t directly say uniforms are a good or a bad thing. It is slowly leading the reader to the main idea instead of hitting the reader in the head with it.

5th Part: CLAIM (Thesis) STATEMENT Example: Question: Which is better, dogs or cats? Thesis/Claim: Evidently, dogs surpass cats because they offer more play, affection, and protection. The 3 reasons will become your reasons or warrants for your body paragraphs. Needs a TW + Answer to question + 3 reasons. Needs to be explicit (Exact answer to question asked.) Must take a side and have three reasons to back it up. (Magic 3) If there is no Thesis or Claim, there is no essay!

Felines are better than Canines Thesis/Claim Format Your Answer Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 because: TW, Felines are better than Canines Easier to care, More loving, Less expensive. because: Factually,

Claim’s/ Thesis’ Purpose Is ONE nice detailed sentence. Only one. IT IS NEVER A QUESTION! TAKES ONE SIDE of the ISSUE! Never more! Shows three explicit reasons that are discussed separate in paragraph two, three, and four.

5th Part: Claim/Thesis Prompt: Decide if school uniforms are beneficial or debilitating to students and schools. Facts indicate, a relaxed dress code is needed in schools because they provide comfort, freedom, and cost benefits. The transition word is more intelligent. Only one side of the prompt is chosen and three reasons are given. This is all written in a single sentence as a “because” statement.

Example Paragraph: "A meat grinder is what you want: to squeeze us, press us, make us squirm,” said by an anonymous student (Isaacson 156). What is better for a school, strict or relaxed dress codes for students? Some people think that obtaining a strict dress code for their school should be necessary. Others believe that students should be able to express themselves. The state is now deciding on this issue. Schools are either for or against this issue. Perhaps, it is strict uniforms that overwhelm students into leaving school. Facts indicate, a relaxed dress code is needed in schools because they provide comfort, freedom, and cost benefits.

DO NOT Start your paper with: "In this essay I will explain why Rosa Parks was an important figure.“ NEVER use the words “in this essay/paper.” Use the word “stuff” or “things” Use any informal terms such as I, me, my, you, your(s), mine, we, us, our(s), & etc… Use SLANG, texting abbreviations, or emojis

Spell Check Grammar Check ALWAYS DO THESE: Spell Check Grammar Check Read it OUT LOUD to yourself and another person if you are not in a testing environment. Then read it again. And again.