Start with a first sentence or sentences that capture the reader’s attention and introduce the topic in a unique way. “Here is a truth that few could have predicted 25 years ago: in modern-day elementary schools, students from kindergarten to 5th grade are more likely to tap on a keyboard or an iPad than practice their penmanship.” “Energy drinks, whether we realize it or not, are everywhere. Brands like Red Bull and Monster have become so ubiquitous to some areas of life and culture that they go almost unnoticed at music festivals, on the jerseys of extreme athletes, and across the feeds of social media influencers.” Elaborate on your topic, giving relevant information and setting the stage for your readers to either expect your thesis statement and position, or be surprised by it. “Cursive, once a staple of 3rd and 4th grade lesson plans, continues to fade into a lost art, and even plain handwriting has fallen out of fashion. Students are faster at typing than handwriting, teachers prefer 12-pt Times New Roman to chicken scratch, and computers are appearing in every classroom; handwriting is even disappearing from the workplace, too.” “This marketing campaign is carefully cultivated to appeal to a target audience of young teens and adults, the very people who stand to lose the most from energy drinks from a health perspective. Recent studies show that young people who drink energy drinks are more likely to report experiences of headaches, difficult breathing, and bouts of anger. Though the brands themselves argue that these side effects can’t be directly linked to the drinks, there’s no denying that in recent years, the drinks are getting bigger and more sugary. Twenty-ounce cans have up to 70 grams of sugar, more than twice than some candy bars.” Transition from giving background information and start setting up your readers for your thesis statement. “There’s seems to be little practical reason to recommend handwriting to today’s schoolkids, and yet the loss of this ability could be a dangerous—and permanent—one. While typing is neater, more efficient, and more practical, handwriting activates different neural pathways that, without use, begin to atrophy.” “Yet, like so many products that seem to fall on the wrong side of healthy, the brand’s marketing campaign might be the most dangerous thing about them, concealing potentially negative health effects behind rows of cool athletes, musicians and cultural figures.” Present your thesis statement in 1-3 sentences, stating your opinion and hinting at ways you’ll back it up. “The loss of handwriting could mean the loss of a particular and unique form of thinking and creativity, and its continued teaching in schools is vital for students and adults alike.” “By learning more about their nutritional content and pushing companies to be more honest in their advertising, teens and young adults can consume these drinks safely—or choose not to do so at all.”