Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience poverty and economic hardship compared to their white counterparts.

TO: Senator Cory Brooker

Subject:  Income Inequality: Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience poverty and economic hardship compared to their white counterparts.

PARAGRAPH ONE:

• Hook

• What is your topic?

• How is it related to race and ethnicity?

• Why would Senator Cory Brooks care about this topic?

• Why does it matter to Senator Cory Brooks?

• Thesis

PARAGRAPH 2

• Topic sentence: how did we get to where we are in our society as it relates to the topic?

• Explain/context

• Quickly summarize source 1

• Example from source 1: quote or paraphrase

• Explain what that means: what is happening in the example from source 1?

• Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 1? How does it relate to the other sources?

PARAGRAPH TWO

• Example from source 2: quote or paraphrase

• Explain what that means: what is happening in the example from source 2?

• Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 2? How does it relate to the other sources?

• Synthesize: show the similarities and differences between the two sources

• Repeat with another cause/historical topic discussed in multiple sources

PARAGRAPH THREE

• Topic sentence: what are the impacts of this issue, both at the individual citizen level and at the broader societal level?

• Explain/context

• Quickly summarize source 3

• Example from source 3: quote or paraphrase

• Explain what this means: what is happening in the example from source 3?

• Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 3? How does it relate to the other sources?

PARAGRAPH FOUR

• Quickly summarize source 4

• Example from source 4: quote or paraphrase

• Explain what this means: what is happening in the example from source 4?

• Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 4? How does it relate to the other sources?

• Synthesize: show the similarities and differences between the two sources

• Repeat with another cause/historical topic discussed in multiple sources

PARAGRAPH FIVE: Solutions

• Topic sentence: what are other people/countries/states/etc doing to address the issue?

• Explain/Context

• Quickly summarize source 5

• Example from source 5: quote or paraphrase

• Explain what this means: what is happening in the example from source 5?

• Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 5? How does it relate to the causes/history?

• Consider repeating with another proposed solution if applicable

PARAGRAPH SIX: Conclusion

• Restate your thesis in another way

• Summarize the points. How do all the topics discussed work together to make one message?

• What is the significance of combining all of these sources? Why does this matter to your public official and to society?

• Final, memorable statement