Assassination Research PaperOutlining Your Essay

Remember your Task

Task: Write a research paper in which you explain the political situation leading up to the (attempted) assassination, the motivation of the (attempted) assassination, the nature of the conspiracy involved with the (attempted) assassination, a description of the (attempted) assassination itself, and the political aftermath of the (attempted) assassination of the political figure.

Your Outline

This is a longer essay than you are used to: Seven (7) Paragraphs

Introduction Five (5) Body Paragraphs Conclusion Paragraph

Don’t worry! Work hard and follow this outline, and you will be able to write an organized essay. You can do it!

Your Introduction ParagraphYou will need one (1) of each of the following sentences:1. Hook – Use either a:

Startling Fact Quotation Anecdote Use your article packet! It’s filled with facts,

quotable statements, and anecdotes!2. A Brief Introduction of the Assassination Target3. Thesis Statement

Introduction Sentence Frames1. For the brief introduction of the

assassination target, include one sentence for each of the following (so, two sentences total): Assassination Target and Job Title (include

country) Timeframe and what the target was primarily

known for

2. Thesis _____________________ assassinated (attempted to

assassinate) ________________________ because ___________ _________________________________________________________, which caused ___________________________________________.

Body Paragraph #1:What was the political situation preceding/ leading up to the assassination?

You will need one (1) of each of the following sentences to answer this question:

1. Topic Sentence2. Introduction of Evidence3. Evidence (Quotations)4. Interpretation of Evidence (What does it

mean?)5. Analysis of Evidence (Why is it important?)6. Concluding Sentence

How to Write Your Evidence Sentence(s)

Remember this mantra (def: memorized chant):Transition—Quotation—Citation

Use one of these sentence frames for the evidence:According to “[insert title of article here],” “[insert

your quotation here]” (Author).[Tell timeframe], “[insert your quotation here]”

(Author).Note: You must observe the punctuation in this

slide (except for the brackets) EXACTLY, or you will lose points for failing to follow MLA format.

How to Write Your Interpretation of Evidence Sentence(s)Try one of these sentence frames:1. This means that

_________________________________ __________________________________________________.

2. This shows that __________________________________ __________________________________________________.

How to Write Your Analysis of Evidence Sentence(s)

Try one of these sentence frames:1. The significance of this lies in the fact that

_____ __________________________________________________.

2. The importance of this lies in the fact that __________________________________________________.

Body Paragraph #2:Why did the assassin want to kill the political figure? What was his motivation?

You will need one (1) of each of the following sentences to answer this question:

1. Topic Sentence2. Introduction of Evidence3. Evidence (Quotations)4. Interpretation of Evidence (What does it

mean?)5. Analysis of Evidence (Why is it important?)6. Concluding Sentence

Body Paragraph #3:What was the nature of the conspiracy—who was involved? How did they work out the details?

You will need one (1) of each of the following sentences to answer these questions:

1. Topic Sentence2. Introduction of Evidence3. Evidence (Quotations)4. Interpretation of Evidence (What does it

mean?)5. Analysis of Evidence (Why is it important?)6. Concluding Sentence

Body Paragraph #4:How did the events of the assassination unfold?

You will need the following sentences to answer this question:

1. Topic Sentence2. Evidence – Paraphrase of the event (must be

3 sentences)3. Concluding Sentence

How to Paraphrase Your Five Events:

1. Determine a sequence of five events (this will be one of your activities for homework tonight) from your sources.

2. Write one clause for each event (this means each one must have a subject and verb) and string these five clauses into 3 sentences with at least two transitions of time.

3. At the end, list the names of the author(s) of the source(s) referenced.

Example with numbered clauses: (1) Kennedy was riding in a parade with his wife (2) when three shots rang out. (3) Immediately, Mrs. Kennedy noticed her husband’s wounds, (4) and she quickly wrapped her arms around the dying president. (5) A moment later, Kennedy died from the gunshot wounds (Appentrodt, Prosser).

Transitions of Time and Sequence

at the same timesimultaneouslyin turnlater onmeanwhilenextthensoonlaterwhileearlierafterward

Body Paragraph #5:What was the political aftermath?

You will need one (1) of each of the following sentences to answer this question:

1. Topic Sentence2. Introduction of Evidence3. Evidence (Quotation)4. Interpretation of Evidence (What does it

mean?)5. Analysis of Evidence (Why is it important?)6. Concluding Sentence

Conclusion Paragraph

You will need one (1) of each of the following sentences :

1. Revisit your hook2. Subtly rephrase your thesis3. Leave the reader with a final thought about

the assassination. Remember to make it strong and memorable.

Now Create Your Rough Draft

• To write previous essays, your teacher has given you an outline to fill in. This time you must write your own on a separate piece of paper.

• Make sure to include all of the required sentences.

• Refer to these notes as you write your outline.

• Be ready to turn this in on Friday, 23 March 2012.

Now Create Your Outline