SAMPLE INTRODUCTION
Shouldn’t schools support students in becoming their best and performing to the best of
their ability? How can students do well in the classroom, if they’re not getting the proper
nutrition, or if they can’t afford the food? Don’t the students at Bogle deserve more options?
Bogle’s cafeteria doesn’t seem to be taking these questions into consideration. Students come to
lunch to fill-up, but they aren’t able to get what they need at a price that they can afford.
Consequently, Bogle needs to make some serious changes to its cafeteria menu, in order to better
meet the needs of the students. Not only is the food too expensive, but it isn’t very healthy. If the
cafeteria could change these things, then students would be able to perform better in their
classrooms.
SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH
One of the biggest issues in Bogle’s cafeteria, is its food prices. A chicken sandwich, for
instance, costs $4.95, and this doesn’t include the price of a side dish or a drink. A chicken
sandwich, alone, isn’t typically enough to satisfy the average 7th or 8th grader. Furthermore, if a
student spends $4.95 on the main portion of their meal, it’s likely that they won’t have enough for
a snack, later in the day. As a result, they may become hungry during the class periods after
lunch, and might not be able to perform well in that classroom. Bogle could resolve these
conflicts, by lowering the prices of their entrees and main dish items.
SAMPLE REBUTTAL/COUNTER-ARGUMENT PARAGRAPH
While it is true that the food in Bogle’s cafeteria is not very healthy, there are some who
may argue that students aren’t as likely to purchase health foods, given the option. This may be
true for some things, such as gluten-free items or specialty products. On the other hand, health
foods have gained more popularity in recent years, making them less expensive and more
appealing. Furthermore, some of the more appealing meals could be produced with ingredients
that are less processed or lower in fat, while still enticing students. Ultimately, the more health
items offered in the cafeteria, the more likely students are to purchase those items, and the
greater the benefits to each student’s well-being.
SAMPLE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
The health and well-being of Bogle’s student body, should be a top priority, because it will
ultimately lead to greater productivity in the classroom, and an increase in a student’s ability to
focus. Furthermore, having more options is going to motivate students to spend their money in
the cafeteria, which will help the school to raise more money. There is room for improvement in
every school, so next time you have the opportunity to purchase food from Bogle’s cafeteria, ask
yourself if there is a need for change. Ask yourself if they are offering the best options at the
right prices, to meet the needs of their students and faculty, and take a stand for change.
SAMPLE INTRO (broken down)
HOOK: Shouldn’t schools support students in becoming their best and performing to the best of their
ability? How can students do well in the classroom, if they’re not getting the proper nutrition, or if they
can’t afford the food? Don’t the students at Bogle deserve more options?
CONTEXT/BACKGROUND: Bogle’s cafeteria doesn’t seem to be taking these questions into
consideration. Students come to lunch to fill-up, but they aren’t able to get what they need at a price that
they can afford.
THESIS: Consequently, Bogle needs to make some serious changes to its cafeteria menu, in order to
better meet the needs of the students. Not only is the food too expensive, but it isn’t very healthy.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: If the cafeteria could change these things, then students would be able to
perform better in their classrooms.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH (broken down)
TOPIC SENTENCE: One of the biggest issues in Bogle’s cafeteria, is its food prices.
SUPPORT #1: A chicken sandwich, for instance, costs $4.95, and this doesn’t include the price of a
side dish or a drink. A chicken sandwich, alone, isn’t typically enough to satisfy the average 7th or 8th
grader.
SUPPORT #2: Furthermore, if a student spends $4.95 on the main portion of their meal, it’s likely that
they won’t have enough for a snack, later in the day. As a result, they may become hungry during the
class periods after lunch, and might not be able to perform well in that classroom.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Bogle could resolve these conflicts, by lowering the prices of their
entrees and main dish items.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
SAMPLE REBUTTAL/COUNTER-ARGUMENT PARAGRAPH (broken down)
TOPIC SENTENCE: While it is true that the food in Bogle’s cafeteria is not very healthy, there are
some who may argue that students aren’t as likely to purchase health foods, given the option.
REBUTTAL #1: This may be true for some things, such as gluten-free items or specialty products. On
the other hand, health foods have gained more popularity in recent years, making them less expensive
and more appealing.
REBUTTAL #2: Furthermore, some of the more appealing meals could be produced with ingredients
that are less processed or lower in fat, while still enticing students.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Ultimately, the more health items offered in the cafeteria, the more
likely students are to purchase those items, and the greater the benefits to each student’s well-being.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
SAMPLE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH (broken down)
TOPIC SENTENCE/WHY WE SHOULD CARE #1:The health and well-being of Bogle’s student
body, should be a top priority, because it will ultimately lead to greater productivity in the classroom,
and an increase in a student’s ability to focus.
WHY WE SHOULD CARE #2: Furthermore, having more options is going to motivate students to
spend their money in the cafeteria, which will help the school to raise more money.
CALL TO ACTION: There is room for improvement in every school, so next time you have the
opportunity to purchase food from Bogle’s cafeteria, ask yourself if there is a need for change. Ask
yourself if they are offering the best options at the right prices, to meet the needs of their students and
faculty, and take a stand for change.