Writing a Research Report
Once you finish your planning and research, you are ready to write your first draft. These activities will help you hook the reader's interest at the beginning, explain important information in the middle, and end with a strong final point.
Writing the Beginning Paragraph
Write a lead.
Read each lead-writing strategy and example and write your own. Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.
- Ask a question about the topic.
- Start with a surprising fact or detail about the topic.
- Tell a little story about the person.
Did you know women couldn’t become astronauts for almost the first three decades of the space program?
Before Sally Ride, space travel was mostly a club for men.
Sally Ride didn’t always want to be an astronaut. When she was young, going to space was not a realistic aspiration for girls.
Write your beginning paragraph.
Write your lead and then give details that lead up to your focus statement. End the paragraph with your focus statement. Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.