INTRODUCTION

Use a Hook
Restate the Question
Thesis Statement:
Clearly state your Opinion
List 3 Main Points
WAYS TO “HOOK” YOUR READER…

Announcement
“It has come to my attention that JFK
has been considering installing
surveillance cameras in the school.”
WAYS TO “HOOK” YOUR READER…

Shocking Statement
It has been proved that 90% of
“

school crimes go unsolved because

of the lack of surveillance in the
hallways.”
WAYS TO “HOOK” YOUR READER…

Rhetorical Question
“How would you feel if your child’s
safety was at sake because JFK
refused to install surveillance
cameras?”
WAYS TO “HOOK” YOUR READER…

Quotation
“There is a famous saying, ‘If the
walls could talk’ that plays an
important role when considering your
child’s safety at school.”
WAYS TO “HOOK” YOUR READER…
Anecdote (Short Story)
 “Yesterday, students at JFK reported seeing a strange man lurking outside of the
school. Due to the newly installed surveillance cameras, police officials were able
to identify the unknown man. When brought downtown for questioning it was noted
that the man was carrying a loaded gun on him.”
RESTATE THE TOPIC
You always want to clearly introduce the topic you are writing about to your reader.

“Recently the Board of Education has been discussing whether or not to install
surveillance cameras in all of the schools in Woodbridge Township.”
THESIS STATEMENT
Your thesis statement clearly tells your reader the position you have chosen on the
specific topic.

“After much consideration, I firmly believe that JFK should install surveillance
cameras on school grounds.”
LIST YOUR 3 MAIN POINTS

If surveillance cameras were to be

installed on school grounds it would
ensure student safety, prevent
vandalism to school property, and
help reduce the number of students
cutting class.
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
It has been proven that 90% of school crimes go
unsolved because of the lack of surveillance on school
grounds. Recently the Board of Education has been
discussing whether or not to install surveillance cameras in
all of the schools in Woodbridge Township. After much
consideration, I firmly believe that JFK should install
surveillance cameras on school grounds. If surveillance
cameras were to be installed it would ensure student
safety, prevent vandalism to school property, and help
reduce the number of students cutting class.
THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS
Each Body Paragraph Needs:
 To begin with a Transitional Phrase
 Clearly state the main point
 Give supporting details
 Have a specific example.
 Stay focused to prove your thesis statement.
SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 1
To begin with, having surveillance cameras installed here at
JFK will ensure student safety. Wood bridge Township police
department’s annual report reveals that crime rates went up 20% in
Woodbridge Township. It is important for you to truly consider the
safety of the students. Since crimes rates are at an all time high, it
is imperative for school officials to begin protecting their students. A
perfect way to heighten security here at JFK is by installing new
surveillance cameras. By having surveillance cameras, the people
that enter school grounds can be monitored. For instance, imagine
if a strange man has been recently lurking around campus. This
man is unknown and seems to be following a group of students
home every day. By using the new surveillance cameras police
officials will be able to identify the man and take him downtown for
questioning. It turns out that this man had bad intentions and in
fact was carrying a loaded gun around with him. But, because JFK
opted to install surveillance cameras, what could have been a
tragedy was prevented.
SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Furthermore, the installation of security cameras would prevent vandalism in schools.
The school district reported fifty-five acts of vandalism last year, including stolen
computers, spray-painting on school walls, damage to school doors and windows,
and the destruction of other school property such as chairs, chalkboards and
overhead projectors. This came at a cost of $32,000 to the local taxpayers. With
security cameras installed, the vandals may have been reluctant to enter the
school property, knowing that they may have been identified. Alternatively,
surveillance cameras could have helped police to apprehend the criminals,
preventing further incidents of vandalism at other schools.
SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Finally, installation of security cameras would cut down on students skipping class. At
JFK high school alone, the administrative staff estimates that 35 percent of
students have skipped at least one class. The number, according to students,
may be even higher. Jay Jackson, a senior at JFK explains that he and his friends
skip class on a regular basis. “We hide in the boy’s room until the second bell
rings, and then we have free reign of the school. It’s easy to avoid the two
security guards, and we have forged passes if we get stopped in the hallway.” The
district reports that school absenteeism is at an all time high, so skipping class
can have a negative impact on a child’s learning. Missing class can affect GPA’s
and test scores, Principal McClean of JFK explains. Additionally, kids skipping
class can be getting into all kinds of trouble –doing drugs and leaving the school
property, putting their lives in danger. All this could be avoided if security
cameras were installed to monitor the location and activities of students in the
hallway.
CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
Your Conclusion needs to:
 Begin with a transition!
 Restate the original topic
 Restate your position on the topic (thesis statement)
 Restate your three main ideas
 Have a concluding statement that relates back to your hook!
SAMPLE CONCLUSION
To summarize, I strongly advise for JFK to install
surveillance cameras on school grounds. In my
opinion, there is no other option but to have these
cameras installed. By having these surveillance
cameras student safety would be ensured, school
vandalism would decrease, and the number of
students cutting class would be lowered. It has been
proven that 90% of school crimes go unsolved due to
lack of security. Do you really want to be a part of that
shocking statistic? Do the necessary, and have
surveillance cameras installed here at JFK before you
have a chance to regret it.
TIME FOR PRACTICE!