English 101 Name: Professor Belluscio Prewriting I. INTRODUCTION Lead-in (introduces the general

English 101

Name:

Professor Belluscio

Prewriting

I. INTRODUCTION

Lead-in (introduces the general topic):

-athletes everywhere

-athlete fascination from early age

-athletes good role models for children?

Tie-in (titles, authors, and how the authors would answer the essay question):

-“Why Athletes Should Be Our Role Models,” Ben Denson—athletes good role models because

of skill and hard work

-“Why Athletes Aren’t Role Models,” Raina Kelley—athletes not good role models, special

treatment makes them think they’re special, breeds bad behavior

Thesis statement (how you would answer the essay question): I think that while American

children’s fascination with athletes is in some ways unavoidable, this fascination will not turn into blind hero worship if children understand that athletes are as imperfect as anyone else. With a more realistic sense of who professional athletes are, children will be more able to learn from the many positive qualities these athletes exhibit.

II. BODY

First Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence (provides one reason in defense of the thesis statement, i.e., a supporting claim):

Like it or not, it is almost inevitable that children will pay close attention to the on-and-off-field activities of professional athletes—even coming to identify with these athletes.

Support (provides explanation, examples, and textual analysis to develop the topic sentence):

-Explanation (exp): hard to stop kids from following sports

-Examples (exa):games, articles, chat forums, merchandise, Don Mattingly Halloween costume

-Textual Analysis (ta): Kelley, “I have never . . . was an athlete” (1).

Second Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence (provides one reason in defense of the thesis statement, i.e., a supporting claim):

To be sure, there is much condemnable behavior in sports, and children need to know about this so that their admiration of athletes doesn’t drift into a kind of hero worship.

Support (provides explanation, examples, and textual analysis to develop the topic sentence):

-Exp: don’t want kids desensitized to immoral conduct

-Exa: banned substances, cheating, violence, sexual assault

-Ta: Kelley, “spoiled-athlete syndrome,” “used to people looking the other way” (1).

Denson, disappointment in Ryan Braun (2).

Third Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence (provides one reason in defense of the thesis statement, i.e., a supporting claim):

After all, it is the positive attributes of successful athletes that attract us to them in the first place, and these positive attributes can provide children with a wealth of inspiration.

Support (provides explanation, examples, and textual analysis to develop the topic sentence):

-Exp: raw talent not enough, athletes work hard

-Exa: practice, drills, conditioning, strength training, dieting

-Ta: Denson, “We put . . . to find perfection” (1).

III. CONCLUSION

Restatement of the thesis in different words:

-children, realistic perspective

-hard work, persistence of athletes a positive influence

Final thought related to the topic:

-what you’d expect of a role model