2. Persuasive Research Paper Topics You will be researching a controversial issue over which you have a strong opinion. TOMORROW, you will need to tell me both your topic and your opinion. Examples: Topic:Illegal Immigration Opinion:US should offer amnesty to all immigrants already in the country Topic:School Uniforms Opinion:Memorial should adopt uniforms for the safety of all students Topic:Drought in Texas Opinion:Texas should enforce mandatory water regulations Topic:Corrupt Governments in Africa Opinion:US should send aid to certain countries

3. Making an Outline A Plan That Builds an Essay Essay --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Persuade your reader to adopt your opinion over your current event.

4. Introduction What is an outline ? Before you begin writing the first draft of your essay, it is best to make an outline. An outline is a general plan of what you are going to write. You can compare making an outline to drawing plans to build a house. Before one begins to build a house, it is best to draw up plans to make sure that a house is built in the way you want. The same is true with writing an essay and making an outline.

5. Introduction The Benefits of an Outline An outline of an essay can be very helpful for two reasons: An outline will help make your essay more organized. A careful plan will help your body paragraphs stay focused on the ideas in your thesis statement. An outline saves time for writers. Preparing an outline can take time, but when you are finished, you will be able to write the rough draft of your essay more quickly than if you didn’t have an outline.

6. Example Outline Here is an example of how a blank outline might look: Essay Outline I.IntroductionThesis: _____________________ II.Body Paragraph #1- Topic Sentence: _____________ A. supporting idea B. supporting idea III.Body Paragraph #2- Topic Sentence: ____________ A. supporting idea B. supporting idea IV.Body Paragraph #3- Topic Sentence: ____________ A. supporting idea B. supporting idea V.Conclusion

7. The Process Thesis Statement To begin an outline, you need to start with your thesis statement. The thesis statement will be your guide throughout the process of writing your essay. From the thesis statement, you can begin writing the topic sentences for the body paragraphs in the outline. ESSAY OUTLINE Thesis Statement Topic Sentence #1 Topic Sentence #2 Topic Sentence #3 Everything you write in your essay will support your thesis.

8. Introduction and Thesis Statement As of September 23, 2002, the Governor of California signed the nation’s first Stem Cell Bill (SB 253), which would allow stem cell research. Even though the bill passed, many people are still against this research, while others see it as a potential medical miracle. Federal funding for stem cell research has been in debate in Congress since 1995, when the annual appropriation bills put a ban on the use of federal funding for experimentation of human embryos. Geneticists are creating cloned human embryos, not to make a zygote, but to use for a source of stem cells, which may have the cures for certain diseases. Although stem cell research is controversial, the positive medical benefits derived from this research far outweigh the negative social consequences. The Process Sample Introduction with Thesis

9. Sample Introduction For many years, the students of Memorial High School have enjoyed the freedom to dress as they please. However, the debate over a mandated uniform policy has recently gained support from Spring Branch ISD teachers. Many Houston area school districts, such as Houston ISD and Alief ISD have adopted such dress codes, but at present, Spring Branch ISD has not. Spring Branch ISD should adopt a uniform dress code policy.

10. Sample Introduction #2 Marijuana is currently one of the most abused illegal substances in America. The drug is so popular that 1 in 4 students have admitted to using the drug. However, marijuana can have adverse affects when used constantly. Thus, marijuana should not be made legal in the United States.

11. As of September 23, 2002, the Governor of California signed the nation’s first Stem Cell Bill (SB 253), which would allow stem cell research. Even though the bill passed, many people oppose the research as pejorative, while others see it as a potential medical miracle. Federal funding for stem cell research has been in debate in Congress since 1995, when the annual appropriation bills put a ban on the use of federal funding for experimentation of human embryos. Geneticists are currently able to create cloned human embryos, not to make zygotes, but to use as a source of stem cells, which may lead to the cures for certain diseases. Although stem cell research is incendiary, the positive medical benefits derived from this research far outweigh the negative social concerns. Sample Introduction with Thesis Good Introductions have: Hook Sentence to capture reader’s attention, Background info/Facts about the current event, Thesis at the end

12. The Process Topic Sentences The topic sentence for each body paragraph should support the thesis statement. The topic sentences need to agree with the main idea or subpoints in the thesis statement; otherwise, the essay could be confusing.

13. The Process Topic Sentences Topic Sentence Paragraph #1: What is your strongest reason? Topic Sentence- Paragraph #2: How can you refute the opposition? Topic Sentence- Paragraph #3: What are the benefits towards adopting your position? Every sentence in your body paragraph will directly support you r topic sentence. You will do this with both your own brilliant ideas and information from your research.

14. Introduction and Thesis Statement As of September 23, 2002, the Governor of California signed the nation’s first Stem Cell Bill (SB 253), which would allow stem cell research. Even though the bill passed, many people oppose the research as pejorative, while others see it as a potential medical miracle. Federal funding for stem cell research has been in debate in Congress since 1995, when the annual appropriation bills put a ban on the use of federal funding for experimentation of human embryos. Geneticists are currently able to create cloned human embryos, not to make zygotes, but to use as a source of stem cells, which may lead to the cures for certain diseases. Although stem cell research is incendiary, the positive medical benefits derived from this research far outweigh the negative social concerns. The Process Topic Sentences from the Intro Topic Sentence Paragraph #1:What is your strongest reason? Can stop animal testing by only using stem cells. Topic Sentence- Paragraph #2:How can you refute the opposition? People who are against stem cell research Topic Sentence- Paragraph #3: What are the benefits towards adopting your position? Potential medical advancements

15. Three Topic Sentences 1. Strongest Reason: Since the technologies associated with stem cell research are still being developed, scientists have endless potential to learn about human growth and cell development, but the bureaucratic red tape prohibiting their access limits future discoveries. 2. Refute the Opposition: While some people believe that stem cell research is morally wrong, their fears are easily allayed upon further examination into the intricate process. 3. Possible Benefits: Legalizing stem cell research would lead to a host of medical benefits, including the potential to cure previously incurable diseases.

16. Introductory Paragraph (checked for Sticker) As of September 23, 2002, the Governor of California signed the nation’s first Stem Cell Bill (SB 253), which would allow stem cell research. Even though the bill passed, many people oppose the research as nefarious, while others see it as a potential medical miracle. Federal funding for stem cell research has been in debate in Congress since 1995, when the annual appropriation bills put a ban on the use of federal funding for experimentation of human embryos. Geneticists are currently able to create cloned human embryos, not to make zygotes, but to use as a source of stem cells, which may lead to the cures for certain diseases. Although stem cell research is incendiary, the positive medical benefits derived from this research far outweigh the negative social concerns. Three Topic Sentences 1. Strongest Reason: Since the technologies associated with stem cell research are still being developed, scientists have endless potential to learn about human growth and cell development, but the bureaucratic red tape prohibiting their access limits future discoveries. 2. Refute the Opposition: While some people believe that stem cell research is morally wrong, their fears are easily allayed upon further examination into the intricate process. 3. Possible Benefits: Legalizing stem cell research would lead to a host of medical benefits, including the potential to cure previously incurable diseases.

17. The Process Supporting Details II. Body Paragraph #2: Refute the Opposition Topic Sentence: While some people believe that stem cell research is morally wrong, their fears are easily allayed. A. Embryonic stem cells used for research are not fully formed cells. They are blastocysts, which is only a stage in cell development. B. The stem cells would at most be developed into organs, not living human beings, so no potential lives are lost. C. These cells are incapable of feeling. It is not painful or harmful for them to be genetically manipulated. D. Stem cells can be artificially created in a lab. They do not all need to come from human fetuses. supporting details, examples, and ideas Under the topic sentence for each paragraph, list some of the supporting details, examples, or ideas you want to include in each paragraph.

18. The Process Supporting Details II. Body Paragraph #3: What are the benefits of adopting your standpoint? Topic Sentence: Legalizing stem cell research would lead to a host of medical benefits, including the potential to cure previously incurable diseases. A. Possible applications for diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, and spinal cord injuries. B. Scientists in Korea were able to manipulate stem cells into cancer killing cells. C. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to cure AIDS. QUOTE: The doctors take blood from the AIDS patients and separate the stem cells from the blood. After that, the gene is placed in the cells by a modified, harmless virus related to HIV. These stems cells that are armed with their new weapon are returned to the bloodstream and begin generating new types of cells that inherit the new anti-HIV gene. If this process works, then there is the possibility that these cells can fight the illness completely and therefore, cure AIDS (Mason). supporting details, examples, and ideas Under the topic sentence for each paragraph, list some of the supporting details, examples, or ideas you want to include in each paragraph.

19. Outline: Outline: Persuade your reader to adopt your opinion over your current event. Essay Outline I.Introduction: What is the background of your current event? Thesis: What is your opinion that you will persuade your reader to adopt? II.Body Paragraph #1- Topic Sentence: : What is your strongest reason? Why is it the strongest? A. supporting idea B. supporting idea C. supporting idea III.Body Paragraph #2- Topic Sentence: What is the opposing argument against your position? How can you refute the opposition? A. supporting idea B. supporting idea C. supporting idea IV.Body Paragraph #3- Topic Sentence: What are the benefits in adopting your particular standpoint? How will the situation be improved? How will the state/nation/world be a better place because of your ideas? A. supporting idea B. supporting idea C. supporting idea V.Conclusion – What should the reader have learned from reading your essay?

20. Body Paragraph Outline 1. Topic Sentence – explains what entire paragraph is going to be about 2. Detail/Fact/Quote Sentence – Information about your topic 3. Commentary Sentence 4. Commentary Sentence 5. Detail/Fact/Quote Sentence 6. Commentary Sentence 7. Commentary Sentence 8. Detail/Fact/Quote Sentence 9. Commentary Sentence 10. Commentary Sentence 11. Concluding Sentence – Summarizes the entire paragraph and leads into the next body paragraph You need to integrate your quotations into the detail or commentary sentence spots. Do not quote in the topic or concluding sentences. These 2 sentences explain the facts in your Detail/Fact/Quote sentences. Why is the information you present pertinent? What does it tell about your topic? How does it help support your persuasive argument?

21. Current Events #1 Pick up a BLUE City & State section. Flip to the Outlook section in the back. Find ONE Op Ed (opinion editorial) article. Cut it out and glue it to construction paper. Off to the side or on the back, answer the following questions: 1. What is the author’s main point? 2. HOW is the author trying to convince his readers? How exactly is he trying to persuade you? 3. Which type of appeal is the author using? Pathos, Logos, or Ethos? Explain HOW the author uses this appeal. 4. Hi-light the sentence or sentences in the article that led to your conclusion.

22. Grammar – Bear in mind as you type the rough draft 1. NO 1 ST PERSON!!! you, I, we, me, us, our, I think/feel/believe, you can tell, we can see, My next reason 2. Contractions – None in formal writing. Can’t = can not. Doesn’t = does not. It’s = it is. They’re = they are, etc. 3. Exclamation Points – Don’t use them! Nothing’s that exciting in formal writing! 4. Watch how you start your sentences. Don’t start any sentences with: And, But, So, Well 5. Eliminate overused words: Real/Really, a lot, some, thing, pretty, very, stuff, it, like, till (use until), get/got, just