Introduction, Body, and conclusion: The basic

structure of a research paper

Ms. Calabrese

Introduction

HookIntroducti

on of thesis

Introduce of sub-topics

Transition to 1st body paragraph

Introduction

DO DO NOTStart with a hook Introduce yourself as

the authorIntroduce the topic Begin with “I’m going

to tell you…”Clearly state thesis/ focus statement

Use personal pronouns: I, we, me, my, you

Introduce sub-topicsMake a transition to the 1st Paragraph

Introduction Hook

• Capture the readers attention• Set the scene

Different types of Hooks Use a quote Ask a question Use a shocking fact Use a statistic• Use an anecdote

Hook: Quote

•Dr. Seuss once said, “sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

Hooks

Hook: Question

•Have you ever considered how humans impact the extinction of animals?

Hook

Hook: Shocking Fact

•In the United States, the main cause of water pollution is not chemical waste but the excrement of farm animals.

Hook

Hook: statistic

•By 2050, rising temperatures could make more than 1 million of Earth’s land-dwelling plants and animals extinct.

Hook

Hook: Anecdote

•As the boy’s torso launched over the steal handle bars, panic and fear consumed the boy’s thoughts. Max knew he was in trouble, for he had left his helmet on the shelf in the garage.

Hook

Hook

Take a minute and create a hook for the statement provided below.

•Students should be able to text in school.

Thesis/ focus statement• States the central question or problem

raised in the paper.• Forms both your topic and your point of

view.• Like trying on a pair of jeans; may be

revised MULTIPLE times before you make the right fit.

Sub-topics

•In recent years, statistics have indicated that physical exercise in school has decreased. Whether people like it or not, physical exercise plays a major role in child development, and thus should be encouraged. Physical exercise is essential because it improves a person’s mood, helps combat chronic disease, and helps manage weight.

Transition

•Like many other life activities, exercise may leave one feeling happier and more relaxed creating a stronger and more positive sense of self.

Body

•Start with a topic sentence that addresses the first sub-topic that was stated in the thesis.

•Provide evidence such as quotes and references to the sources.

•Make sure all information is relevant and revolves around the theme of the paragraph.

Body• Many experts of today claim that physical

activity improves mood. In the USA Today article “Good mood can run a long time after workout,” Nancy Hellmich states “studies show that people are in a better mood for up to 12 hours after they workout” (Hellmich, 1). This finding offers a powerful insight into the potential benefits of increasing physical activities in school. If students are afforded the time to run, hop, skip and play, then it would logically follow that attitudes in the classroom would positively change.

Conclusion

DO DO NOTRestate your thesis statement

Rewrite your intro word for word

Retell and sum up your 3 sub-topics

Begin with “I hope you learned…”

Make a global statement

Don’t end with “Thanks for reading my paper.”