Research Paper DraftingTake out your Writer’s Notebook & outline.

Today’s ObjectiveToday, I will be able to draft

my introduction paragraph. I’ll know I’ve got it when I can write an introduction paragraph that meets all of the requirements & hooks my reader.

Introduction Requirements

Must be in this order

1. Effective Hook2. Transition into your idea3. Give information about your event –

Background, Explanation, Impact4. THESIS

*You may incorporate a quote in this paragraph if the quote lends itself to an introduction.*

Introduction Techniques**Be sophisticated & use familiar

terms**Begin with a quoteBegin with a proverbTell a story/anecdote

Begin with a Quote

"At our first stop in Virginia . . . I was confronted with what the Southern white called `separate but equal.' A modern rest station with gleaming counters and picture windows was labeled `White,' and a small wooden shack beside it was tagged `Colored,'" stated William Mahoney, just one of the thousands of Freedom Riders striving to gain civil rights in 1961. Peaceful protests to end injustice helped desegregate buses and raise national awareness of the violence many Americans dealt with on a daily basis. The Freedom Rides were significant in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and an essential component in the Civil Rights Movement.

Tell a Story/Anecdote

The young man stepped away from the burning bus, staring at the flames in disgust. His vehicle gave way to the fiery inferno, as did his soul. Now alight with passion and determination to end the senseless segregation plaguing the southern cities, this Freedom Rider braced for impact. He was just one of the many Freedom Riders to challenge segregation and fight for what was right – equal rights. Freedom Riders traveled throughout the south to test desegregation policies and often encountered tremendous injustice. In the end, they helped bring forth better treatment of blacks. The Freedom Rides were essential in the struggle for civil rights in the United States.

Begin with a Proverb

An ancient Chinese proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” In 1955, the citizens of Montgomery, Alabama took the first step in what would be a year-long protest for civil rights. Protests like the Montgomery Bus Boycott served as statements that injustices based on race would no longer be tolerated in southern cities and demonstrated that nonviolence could prevail over violence. The citizens of the boycott, both black and white, struggled for justice. They journeyed for civil rights and, their boycott worked. Their single step led to the better treatment of all citizens – a triumphant success by anyone’s standards. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was an extraordinary event in the Civil Rights Movement which exemplified the strength and determination of the citizens of Montgomery, Alabama.

With Your Writing Partner…• Discuss which strategy you want to

use for your introduction & why.• Your options:• Begin with a quote• Tell a story/anecdote• Begin with a proverb • A short, popular saying that expresses

some commonplace truth or useful thought

• A wise saying or precept

Today’s Task Work independently to draft your

introduction.

Research Paper DraftingBackgroundTake out your Writer’s Notebooks, Introduction Paragraphs, Outlines, & pen/pencil.

Today’s ObjectiveToday, I will be able to use my

outline to draft the background paragraph of my research paper. I’ll know I’ve got it when I can write a paragraph which meets all of the requirements and is well written and organized.

Remember… The purpose of the background

paragraph is to give your reader information they need to know about the Civil Rights Movement in order to understand your event.

Remember… Good paragraphs include topic &

closing sentences These help set the paragraph up for

the reader & help the reader transition to the next section of the paper.

For this paper, your work should flow like a story.

Good paragraphs also include transitional words/phrases when moving from one fact to the next.

Let’s Read a Sample Paragraph

Life in Montgomery, Alabama was difficult for African Americans in the 1950’s. To begin, blacks were treated as second-class citizens. In many ways, their civil rights were being denied on a daily basis. When they needed to use public busses, black citizens were required to board the bus in the front, pay the driver, and finally, re-board and sit, at the back of the bus. On December 1, 1955, after a long day at work, a haggard Rosa Parks boarded a crowded city bus and sat down in the front of the bus. When the driver told her to move to give her seat to a white man, she refused and was arrested. Her arrest motivated African Americans to start a movement. JoAnn Robinson, a civil rights activist, started plans for a one-day bus boycott. She made 35,000 copies of flyers advertising and encouraging blacks to stay off city buses. Reverend Ralph Abernathy helped Robinson distribute the flyers. The one day boycott was successful and soon the Montgomery Improvement Association was formed and headed by Dr. Martin Luther King. The MIA rallied to keep the boycott going.

Today’s Task Work independently to draft your

background paragraph. Remember!

Use the information from your outline.

Include a quote (if appropriate) You need 3 for your project!

Include topic & closing sentences Include transitions