Research Paper Lead Strategies

Research papers aren't typically considered to be creative, poetic pieces.  When we think about research papers, we usually concentrate on the facts, citations, statistics, and other stuff of non-fiction.  Outside of school, however, there are many examples of non-fiction that are written with punch and flavor.  Just because we're writing research papers doesn't mean we can't show off our writing chops.  You are amazing writers.  I want to see you use those skills, especially in your lead.

Here are some examples from last year's class:

Strategy #1:  Paint a picture

In the cold streets of a poor town in Siberia lived a little boy named Grigori.  He played by himself, always thinking.  Very young, his family started to notice strong signs of intelligence, even superstition, in him.  He was different than other little boys.  He could stare right through you, predicting the future with his huge, hallow, dark eyes.  People were drawn to him, and believed everything that he said.  Who would know that he would use those same dark eyes to influence and control the Royal Family of Russia and everything that they did?  Manipulating the Tsar’s trust, Rasputin significantly assisted in the downfall of the Tsar Nicholas II and his family, leading to their murder in 1917.

                Rasputin:  Remembrance, Rage, and Revenge by Sabrina Verleysen

Strategy #2:  Dramatic Power of Three

Eighty years ago, when radio was big, photos were black and white and World War II hadn’t begun, there was a new era of baseball that changed the baseball business forever.  It was called Depression Ball.  Baseball has been the American pastime for decades and become a worldwide sport.  Though it is very popular, it has gone through rough times due to recession.  During the Great Depression baseball went into a slump.  Now we are in a recession and baseball has been hit but managed to stay afloat.  This is because lessons have been learned from the Great Depression about how to keep themselves from going under.

                The Game Outside of the Stadium:  Baseball and the Great Depression by Andrew Riblet