1. How to Write your Rough Draft JUNIOR RESEARCH PAPER

2. What you will need: 1. Your complete outline with in-text citations 2. At least four different credible sources (these should have been on your annotated bibliography) 3. Knowledge of how to cite your sources correctly

3. Introducing Introductions HOW TO BEGIN YOUR PAPER

4. The Purpose of the Introduction 1.Informs the reader of your topic 2.Informs the reader of your “take” on the topic 3.Establishes your tone and style as a writer

5. Three Parts of an Introduction (in this order) 1.The “hook” or attention- grabbing first sentence 2. Introducing the text/topic to be discussed 3. Thesis statement

6. The “Hook” Sentence Good ways to start… ● a related quote ● an interesting statistic/fact ● “setting a scene” for the reader Bad ways to start… ● a question ● unrelated information ● “This essay is about…” Example of a good hook: 15.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2014.

7. Introducing your Topic:  Give a brief overview of what your topic is  For example:  Good nutrition, particularly in the first three years of life, is important for establishing a good foundation that has implications for a child’s future physical and mental health, academic achievement, and economic productivity. Unfortunately, food insecurity is an obstacle that threatens that critical foundation. Although food insecurity is harmful to any individual, it can be particularly devastating among children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long-term consequences.

8. The Thesis Statement The thesis has two parts 1.“here is my point” 2.“and here are some reasons why” Keep in mind that you cannot use 1 st Person language in your thesis: Sample Thesis: America needs more groups like Feeding America that address child hunger through two national programs, Kids Café and Back Pack Program, both of which supplement hunger in school-aged children.

9. Example of Introduction: From a website that addresses childhood hunger… 15.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2014. Good nutrition, particularly in the first three years of life, is important for establishing a good foundation that has implications for a child’s future physical and mental health, academic achievement, and economic productivity. Unfortunately, food insecurity is an obstacle that threatens that critical foundation. Although food insecurity is harmful to any individual, it can be particularly devastating among children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long-term consequences. America needs more groups like Feeding America that address child hunger through two national programs, Kids Café and Back Pack Program, both of which supplement hunger in school-aged children.

10. Building a Strong Body HOW TO DEVELOP BODY PARAGRAPHS IN AN ESSAY

11. A Strong Body Paragraph Has... 1. A topic sentence 2. Sourced evidence 3. Transition words/phrases Remember: you will have four body paragraphs in your essay. 2 paragraphs supporting your issue, a counterclaim, and a rebuttal

12. Topic Sentences... ● Tell us what the main idea of the paragraph is ● Help support the thesis of the essay ● Typically appear at the beginning of each paragraph

13. Sourced Evidence Evidence is proof that your topic sentence is true or correct. ● quotes or paraphrases from a text are the best evidence “Sourced” Evidence means telling the reader which text your evidence comes from.

14. Introducing Evidence 1. You can use a full sentence followed by a colon to introduce a quotation.  The setting emphasizes deception: "Nothing is as it appears" (Smith 1). 2. You can also begin a sentence with your own words, then complete it with quoted words.  Hamlet's task is to avenge a "foul and most unnatural murder" (Shakespeare 925). 3. To quote a critic or researcher, you can use an introductory phrase naming the source, followed by a comma.  According to Smith, "[W]riting is fun" (215).  In Smith's words, "...  In Smith's view, "...

15. Introducing Evidence cont. 4. Another way to introduce a critic's words is to use a descriptive verb, followed by a comma. Avoid using says unless the words were originally spoken aloud, for instance, during an interview.  Smith states, "This book is terrific" (102).  Some other descriptive verbs are: remarks, writes, notes, comments, observes, concludes, reports, maintains, adds, etc.  It is also important to explain your evidence after you state it. Even if you think your quote is self- explanatory you need to elaborate and explain it. A quote or evidence left alone with no explanation is considered floating or naked. Don’t do that to your evidence!  This information supports the idea…  The speaker clearly believes that…  What the speaker is trying to show is…

16. Transition Words and Phrases To transition between paragraphs, writers often include a sentence that links the two main ideas together. To transition between ideas within a paragraph, writers use words like: however, similarly, although, while, additionally... Use the transitions handout provided to show some variety!

17. Sample body paragraph If you thesis statement was: “high school sports and service clubs are both valuable to a student’s personal development, but they offer different opportunities,” a body paragraph that supports your thesis might be… Sports help students keep physically fit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that children and adolescents should get at least one hour of physical activity a day to be healthy (in-text citation). By attending the frequent practices, workouts, and games required to be on a sports team, students are taking the time to be healthy. While it is important for students to take care of their bodies, participation in other kinds of activities can also help them develop emotionally.

18. Writing the Counterclaim  Counterclaim : a reason or viewpoint that doesn’t agree with your claim/thesis.  For example, if you were arguing that every school in America should require a Physical Education course in the school day a possible counterclaim could be:  While students may benefit from having a scheduled time to be physically active, some may argue that the school day should be focused on academics and that it should be the student’s responsibility to find time in their day to be active.  You would then support this with evidence that shows how many students are already involved in athletics or extracurricular activities, and the importance of teaching responsibility at a young age.

19. Your Rebuttal  Rebuttal : reasons and evidence that point out the errors or flaws with the counterclaim. This would be more evidence to support your thesis.  For example:  While academics and responsibility are an important part of a student’s education, studies have shown that having some amount of physical activity everyday reduces a person’s stress and tension.  You would then explain what the research and studies show and give any statistics that are relevant to this argument.  You acknowledge the other side of the argument, but then point out how your viewpoint is still correct and the more valid option.

20. Creating Conclusions ENDING THE ESSAY

21. The Purpose of the Conclusion Conclusions should: ● Recap the thesis or main points ● Help the essay “feel finished” Conclusions should NOT: ● Introduce new points or evidence ● Thank the reader, state that you are done, etc.

22. Conclusions Have Three Parts 1. A transition word or phrase to signal the essay is coming to a close 2. A re-statement of the thesis (preferably not in the exact same words as the introduction) 3. A “final thought” on the topic that helps the piece feel finished

23. Transition Words To signal an end to the essay, try starting your conclusion with words and phrases like these:  All in all,  In fact,  In conclusion,  Thus,  In summary,  To sum up,

24. How to Make an Essay “Feel Finished” ● If you set the scene for the reader in the introduction, revisit that scene. ● End on a relevant quote. ● Give a broad statement that shows why the topic should matter to the readers.

25. Here’s a sample conclusion... From a made-up essay comparing fruits and vegetables: In conclusion, fruits and vegetables have similar types and amounts of nutrients and fiber, despite having different biological structures. Both are important to have in the diet and can add flavor and color to any meal. As Andrew Zimmerman of the show Bizzare Foods would say, “if it looks good, eat it!”

26. Any Questions? After a few days of typing your rough drafts I will begin having conferences with each of you. While your draft may not be entirely completed, you will need to bring whatever you have at that point so we will have something to work with. Having some sort of conference is required. Many will have their conferences during class, but some will have their conferences during a Study Hall or Advisory. Remember, you cannot begin drafting unless you have submitted your proposal, Annotated Bibliography, and Outline.