This is the layout:
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:
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Hook
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What is your topic?
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How is it related to race and ethnicity?
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Why would Senator Cory Brooks care about this topic?
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Why does it matter to Senator Cory Brooks?
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Thesis
PARAGRAPH 2
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Topic sentence: how did we get to where we are in our society as it relates to the topic?
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Explain/context
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Quickly summarize source 1
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Example from source 1: quote or paraphrase
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Explain what that means: what is happening in the example from source 1?
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Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 1? How does it relate to the other sources?
PARAGRAPH TWO
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Example from source 2: quote or paraphrase
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Explain what that means: what is happening in the example from source 2?
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Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 2? How does it relate to the other sources?
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Synthesize: show the similarities and differences between the two sources
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Repeat with another cause/historical topic discussed in multiple sources
PARAGRAPH THREE
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Topic sentence: what are the impacts of this issue, both at the individual citizen level and at the broader societal level?
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Explain/context
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Quickly summarize source 3
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Example from source 3: quote or paraphrase
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Explain what this means: what is happening in the example from source 3?
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Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 3? How does it relate to the other sources?
PARAGRAPH FOUR
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Quickly summarize source 4
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Example from source 4: quote or paraphrase
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Explain what this means: what is happening in the example from source 4?
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Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 4? How does it relate to the other sources?
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Synthesize: show the similarities and differences between the two sources
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Repeat with another cause/historical topic discussed in multiple sources
PARAGRAPH FIVE: Solutions
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Topic sentence: what are other people/countries/states/etc doing to address the issue?
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Explain/Context
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Quickly summarize source 5
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Example from source 5: quote or paraphrase
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Explain what this means: what is happening in the example from source 5?
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Explain what it shows: what is it demonstrating in source 5? How does it relate to the causes/history?
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Consider repeating with another proposed solution if applicable
PARAGRAPH SIX: Conclusion
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Restate your thesis in another way
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Summarize the points. How do all the topics discussed work together to make one message?
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What is the significance of combining all of these sources? Why does this matter to your public official and to society?
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Final, memorable statement