Name ______________________________
World History 2
Writing an Introductory Paragraph for Argumentative Essays
A well-written and organized introduction for papers and essays is vital to constructing a clear
response and receiving a good score. An introduction does not just introduce the topic, issue, and
your position—it organizes the body of your essay. Your introductory paragraph for the SBAC
needs to accomplish a few tasks: (1) it needs to address the audience or the specified reader; (2)
it must introduce both the topic and the issue to be addressed in the essay/letter; (3) it must
smoothly flow into and conclude with the thesis statement (your position and main arguments or
reasons).
Because you will narrow the focus of your essay as you progress toward the thesis, you are, in
effect, funneling your argument through the introduction. This funneled style of introduction is
the basic and most accepted form for introductory paragraphs. You will use this form throughout
high school and college.
FUNNELED INTRODUCTION
TOPIC / BACKGROUND
ISSUE / QUESTION
THESIS
Topic/Background
It is important to “set the scene” before you explain the issue and assert your position. When
starting your introduction, avoid quotes and dictionary or textbook definitions. Don’t be
philosophical either: “Throughout the long history of Western civilization, individuals have
constantly struggled with the…” A better option is to provide brief but descriptive statements, in
your own words, about the topic you are discussing. For the SBAC you may even start with the
reason or purpose for your letter.
Issue/Question
The issue is simply the question that you have been asked to take a position on. The background
you provide should logically flow and develop into the issue that you are responding to in the
essay. Because you are provided with the question, you need to rephrase the issue into the form
of a statement. DON’T ASK THE READER THE QUESTION! Sometimes it can be tricky to
rephrase the question, but it is necessary for a clear and fluent introduction. When you explain
the issue, it should be clear that there is more than one position that can be taken.
Thesis
Then, once you have explained the issue, you need to immediately present the reader with your
chosen position on the issue along with the major arguments that support your position. Write
your thesis in very clear, strong, and persuasive language. Be sure to pick only one side in your
stance! Also, the order in which you present your arguments in the thesis will be consistent with
the organization of the major body sections and paragraphs in your essay. Your first argument
will be the topic of your first body paragraph and so on.
Name ______________________________
World History 2
Argumentative Essay Structure
Paragraph Structure:
Body Paragraph Structure
(Body Paragraphs present an argument, provide
analysis and proof on that argument)
Topic Sentence/ Transition
-
Sub-topic/ Evidence 1
o Make a statement
o Give supporting evidence
-
Sub-topic/ Evidence 2
-
Sub-topic/ Evidence 3
 Topic sentences must introduce the
new argument and refer back to the
thesis of the essay (position).
 Transitions must connect the topic
or argument of the paragraph to the
previous topic(s).
 Detailed evidence must be provided
that clarifies or supports your
position and argument.
 Sources for the evidence are present
and correctly cited.
Conclusion/ Transition to next paragraph
Concluding Paragraph
Summary Statement of thesis (and conclusions)
Discussion of the importance and implications of
ideas
– Needed to improve the fluency
and clarity of the essay.
Transitions should logically
connect
body paragraphs
together through their topics/
main ideas.
Grammar and Style Pointers
1. Transitions and Word Usage:
Example:
• “Initially, absolutism was a strong for of government that controlled the evil impulses of
human nature.”
– Initially - at the beginning;
– Proper usage: "at first (Initially) he didn't notice anything strange"
• “Conclusively, absolutism is a form of government that was used throughout Europe.”
– Conclusively - Serving to put an end to doubt, question, or uncertainty; decisive.
(once and for all)
– Proper usage: “we solved the problem conclusively.”
2. Transitions vs. Something Else
Conjunctions: (Also, But, However…)
•
“As stated previously” - Indicator that you are about to repeat something… so don’t…
Name ______________________________
World History 2
Background Information
Vocabulary
World War I
a)
b)
c)
d)
Balkans, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, ultimatum
Triple Alliance/Central Powers, Schlieffen Plan, Triple Entente/Allied Powers
propaganda, total war, unrestricted submarine warfare
armistice, Treaty of Versailles, 14 Points, Woodrow Wilson, self-determination
Interwar Years
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Bolsheviks, Lenin, USSR, Stalin, Great Purge, collectivization, communism, 5 Year Plans
Weimar Republic, Dawes Plan, Great Depression
Hitler, Nazis, Third Reich, Nuremberg Laws, Night of Broken Glass
Mussolini, Fascists, March on Rome, Blackshirts, totalitarianism, fascism
Hirohito, ultranationalists, Manchuria
World War II
a) Axis Powers, lebensraum, appeasement, Sudetenland, Nazi-Soviet Pact, blitzkrieg, Holocaust
b) total war, Lend-Lease Act, Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, D-Day, VE-Day
c) embargo, Pearl Harbor, Midway, island hopping, atomic bomb, Hiroshima & Nagasaki
1. Why did World War I begin 1914? How did it start?
Explain the long-term causes:
Nationalism
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Militarism and Imperialism
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Explain the short-term causes:
What was the spark that started the war?
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2. For what reasons is World War I considered the first modern war?
Name ______________________________
World History 2
Explain the concept of total war:
Conscription
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Economic Warfare
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Propaganda
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Role of Women
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3. What effect did World War I have on its participants?
What were the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles? Why was it a flawed and
unfair resolution?
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4. How did policies of aggression and appeasement lead to World
War II?
Identify acts of aggression and how they created tension and instability:
Japan –
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Italy –
Name ______________________________
World History 2
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Spain –
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Germany –
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5. How was World War II fought and won in the European theater?
What was the effect of Allied bombing raids on Germany?
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6. How was World War II fought and won in the Pacific?
What happened at Pearl Harbor? Why did the Japanese attack?
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What happened when the Japanese conquered the Philippines?
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Name ______________________________
World History 2
Why was the battle of Midway a turning point for the U.S. in the war against
Japan?
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Describe General MacArthur’s strategy of “island hopping.” What were some of
the key islands the U.S. Navy and Marines needed?
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