Research Paper –Research Paper –Writing the Introductory Writing the Introductory

ParagraphParagraph

English 3 – Mr. McGowanEnglish 3 – Mr. McGowan

Purpose of an IntroductionPurpose of an Introduction

Lets reader know your topicLets reader know your topic Tells what angle you are going to address Tells what angle you are going to address

the topicthe topic Sets up the themes for the rest of the paperSets up the themes for the rest of the paper

Structure of an IntroductionStructure of an Introduction

TOPIC SENTENCETOPIC SENTENCE

BRIDGEBRIDGE– GENERAL STATEMENTSGENERAL STATEMENTS– IDENTIFICATION OF TOPICIDENTIFICATION OF TOPIC

THESISTHESIS

TOPIC SENTENCETOPIC SENTENCE

What your assignment is What your assignment is First sentence(s)First sentence(s) Question or statement – if statement, copy. If Question or statement – if statement, copy. If

question, rewritequestion, rewrite

Overall topicOverall topic: The History and Heritage of the : The History and Heritage of the Boston Area in American CultureBoston Area in American Culture

Essential QuestionEssential Question: How has Boston’s rich : How has Boston’s rich history contributed to American culture?history contributed to American culture?

On a separate sheet of paper, turn the On a separate sheet of paper, turn the overall topic and essential question into 1-2 overall topic and essential question into 1-2 topic sentences for your introductory topic sentences for your introductory paragraph. paragraph.

Possible Topic SentencesPossible Topic Sentences

The city of Boston, one of the oldest in the The city of Boston, one of the oldest in the United States, has a rich history and United States, has a rich history and heritage that has had a tremendous effect heritage that has had a tremendous effect on American culture.on American culture.

Boston’s rich history and heritage has Boston’s rich history and heritage has greatly contributed to American culture over greatly contributed to American culture over its nearly 400 year history. its nearly 400 year history.

General StatementsGeneral Statements

1-2 sentences1-2 sentences State some areas in which people from State some areas in which people from

Boston have had an impact on American Boston have had an impact on American culture.culture.

Do NOT state the main area in which YOUR Do NOT state the main area in which YOUR topic has had an impacttopic has had an impact

Areas of InfluenceAreas of Influence

AthleticsAthletics

American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

Politics and American Politics and American governmentgovernment

MusicMusic

LiteratureLiterature

Movies and pop Movies and pop cultureculture

Science and medicineScience and medicine

Art and architectureArt and architecture

EducationEducation

TechnologyTechnology

Identification of TopicIdentification of Topic

Do NOT say “I chose.”Do NOT say “I chose.” Do NOT say “I” or “this project” or “this Do NOT say “I” or “this project” or “this

paper” or “in the following paragraphs”paper” or “in the following paragraphs”

Now identify the area(s) in which YOUR Now identify the area(s) in which YOUR topic has had an impacttopic has had an impact

Then introduce your topic by saying Then introduce your topic by saying something something very very general and general and basicbasic about it about it

THESIS STATEMENTTHESIS STATEMENT

Last sentenceLast sentence

Answer the question that was posed on your Answer the question that was posed on your topics sheet –topics sheet –

AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE WHILE STILL AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE WHILE STILL ANSWERING ITANSWERING IT

Consult samples on the next pageConsult samples on the next page

SAMPLE TOPIC: SAMPLE TOPIC: THE DEPARTED AND ORGANIZED CRIMETHE DEPARTED AND ORGANIZED CRIME

Boston’s rich history and heritage has Boston’s rich history and heritage has greatly contributed to American culture.greatly contributed to American culture.

People from Boston have been involved in People from Boston have been involved in many areas of life, ranging from the many areas of life, ranging from the Revolutionary War to music to athletics. Revolutionary War to music to athletics.

Another way in which Bostonians have Another way in which Bostonians have impacted America is in the field of movies.impacted America is in the field of movies.

Set in Boston, Set in Boston, The Departed The Departed is a film which is a film which centers on the long tradition of organized centers on the long tradition of organized crime in Boston and won the 2006 Academy crime in Boston and won the 2006 Academy Award for Best Picture. Award for Best Picture.

The film shows the corrupt influence of the The film shows the corrupt influence of the Irish and Italian underworld, especially in Irish and Italian underworld, especially in figures such as James “Whitey” Bulger. figures such as James “Whitey” Bulger.

SAMPLE TOPIC:SAMPLE TOPIC:PRESIDENCY OF JOHN F. KENNEDYPRESIDENCY OF JOHN F. KENNEDY

Boston’s rich history and heritage has Boston’s rich history and heritage has greatly contributed to American culture in its greatly contributed to American culture in its nearly 400 year history. nearly 400 year history.

People from Boston have been involved in People from Boston have been involved in many areas of life, ranging from music to many areas of life, ranging from music to movies to education.movies to education.

Another way in which Bostonians have Another way in which Bostonians have impacted America is in the field of impacted America is in the field of government. government.

Starting with John Adams, the United Starting with John Adams, the United States’ second president, Massachusetts States’ second president, Massachusetts has produced many famous politicians and has produced many famous politicians and political leaders. political leaders.

Perhaps the most famous was John F. Perhaps the most famous was John F. Kennedy, the 35Kennedy, the 35thth president, whose president, whose presidency gave hope to millions but whose presidency gave hope to millions but whose assassination shattered the nation.assassination shattered the nation.