Fast Food Essay

Introduction

• Your introduction must have the following components:–Hook

–Introduce title(s) and author(s) of the article(s)

–Thesis

Sample Introduction

America is now known as the fattest country in the world. Many Americans blame the fast food industry for over-advertising, selling unhealthy food, and selling oversized portions. However, others feel that America’s obesity is a matter of personal responsibility. In his article, “The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home,” Daniel Weintraub explains that parents need to take responsibility for the eating habits of their kids. He is absolutely right. Parents are responsible for their children and are to blame when their children become overweight.

Introduction Analysis

• Hook: America is now known as the fattest country in the world.

• Title/Author: In his article, “The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home,” Daniel Weintraub explains that parents need to take responsibility for the eating habits of their kids.

• Thesis: Parents are responsible for their children and are to blame when their children become overweight.

Your Turn

• Look at the introduction that you were asked to write last week. Does it contain the following:– Hook– Author and Title Introduction– Thesis

Body Paragraphs

• Your body paragraphs prove your thesis. They provide the reasoning behind your argument.

• Each body paragraph must be about one topic/reason.

• DO NOT SUMMARIZE the article in your body paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs

• In your body paragraphs, you are making “claims” about why things happened.

• You must use quotations from the article(s) to support your claims.– On the next slides, we will look at one body

paragraph that does not contain support, and then the same paragraph that contains support.

Sample Body Paragraph without Support

Parents have a lot of influence on their children from the day their child is born. Children learn how to talk from their parents, how to respect their elders, and they learn should about food and exercise from their parents too. There are many steps to take in showing a child what is healthy and unhealthy. A parent could make sure that a child receives a serving of fruits or vegetables at lunch and dinner, eliminate soda from the house, and even eliminate all junk food.

Sample Body Paragraph WITH Support

Parents have a lot of influence on their children from the day their child is born. Children learn how to talk from their parents, how to respect their elders, and they should learn “healthy eating and exercising habits” from their parents (Weintraub 30). There are many steps to take in showing a child what is healthy and unhealthy. A parent could make sure that a child receives a serving of fruits or vegetables at lunch and dinner, eliminate soda from the house, and even eliminate all junk food. Children are overweight because their parents don’t take these steps. Therefore, Weintraub is right, “It’s the fault of parents who let their kids eat unhealthy foods and sit in front of the television or computer for hours at a time.”

Body Paragraph Analysis

• Both of the quotations are set up in a way that gives context to the article, and they are used to support the arguments.– Parents are responsible for teaching their

children healthy eating habits.– Parents are responsible for making sure their

children exercise.

Look at the worksheet providedExample Evidence Explanation

Brownlee mentions that when we were young, we ate a happy meal and we were satisfied with the amount of food we ate.

“…a small bag of french fries, a plain burger and a 12-ounce Coke seemed like a full meal. Fast food wasn’t any healthier back then; we simply ate a lot less of it” (5).

Brownlee states that the amount of food people eat is much more than needed. Since people eat more, people gain more weight. However, it is the restaurants who decide on how much is sold. Therefore, it is the fault of the restaurants who make America obese.

Your Turn

• On the worksheet provided, find evidence to support your claims in your essay.– Example column: state your claim/reason– Evidence column: find a quotation to support

your claim/reason (be sure to include author and paragraph numbers).

– Explanation column: explain how the quotation supports your claim/reason and therefore your thesis.

Use the worksheet for your Body Paragraphs

Example Evidence Explanation

Brownlee mentions that when we were young, we ate a happy meal and we were satisfied with the amount of food we ate.

“…a small bag of french fries, a plain burger and a 12-ounce Coke seemed like a full meal. Fast food wasn’t any healthier back then; we simply ate a lot less of it” (5).

Brownlee states that the amount of food people eat is much more than needed. Since people eat more, people gain more weight. However, it is the restaurants who decide on how much is sold. Therefore, it is the fault of the restaurants who make America obese.

Sample Body Paragraph

Fast food restaurants are serving too much food. Brownlee mentions that when we were young, we ate a happy meal and we were satisfied with the amount of food we ate. She says, “[A] small bag of french fries, a plain burger and a 12-ounce Coke seemed like a full meal. Fast food wasn’t any healthier back then; we simply ate a lot less of it” (5). Brownlee states that the amount of food people eat is much more than needed. Since people eat more, people gain more weight. However, it is the restaurants who decide on how much is sold. Therefore, it is the fault of the restaurants who make America obese.

Your Turn

• Write a body paragraph of your own using the Example, Evidence, Explanation worksheet provided.– Be sure to properly set-up your quotation.

Conclusions

• Your conclusion for a Research essay should do the following:– Sum up your points– Give a final thought/lesson learned

• All conclusions must:– Restate the Title and Author– Restate the thesis and points

• Conclusions do not:– Make new claims– Say: “In conclusion…”– Say: “This is why I think that…”– Say: “Now I’ve told you why…”

Sample Conclusion

It is a fact that America is getting fatter and fatter. However, life doesn’t have to be this way. As Daniel Weintraub points out in his article, “The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home,” parents are responsible. America will start losing some of its pounds once parents teach their children proper eating and exercise habits. Hopefully then America will have a generation of healthy eaters and therefore will lose weight.

Your Turn

• Write your own conclusion.– Remember the following:

• Restate the title and author• Restate your thesis and claims• Give a final comment/lesson learned• Avoid saying, “In conclusion…”• Avoid saying, “This is why I think that…”