An introductory paragraph is the first paragraph in an essay. It tells the reader what the essay is going to be about.

A thesis statement is one single sentence, found in the introductory paragraph, which gives the central idea or opinion that the essay will try to prove.

Paragraphs of supporting specifics: one paragraph for each main supporting argument or piece of information. Build these just as you learned to earlier.

A concluding paragraph at the end which summarizes the main points and/or restates the thesis of the opening paragraph of the essay.

PRACTICE

Read the essay and mark it according to these directions:

1. Find the introductory paragraph and label it in the margin.

2. Put a wavy line under the thesis statement.

3. Decide what three main supporting points are used to prove the thesis. Underline the topic sentences of the three paragraphs. which explain each of these supporting points.

4. Examine each f the supporting paragraphs. Number the specifics which support the topic sentence and put a double line under the clincher, if there is one. Circle the signal words and connecting devices.

5. Find the conclusion and label it in the margin.

Joining the Peace Corps

A person applying for the Peace Corps will find that he has to go through a complex procedure. This includes meeting certain qualifications, responding to questionnaires and examinations, and going through a period of training.

An applicant must have several qualifications. First, he must be at least eighteen years old and a citizen of the Untied States. He can be married, but if both he and his wife want to serve, they must have no children under the age of eighteen. A third qualification is vocational skill. This means that the applicant must already know how to do something like teach or farm, because the program has no provision for training him. However, neither a college education nor knowledge of a foreign language is required. Another qualification is that he must not have any serious physical, mental, or emotional disturbances. Most important of all, though, he must be willing to work for two years.

If his qualifications meet Peace Corps standards, the applicant must provide various kinds of information. First, he must fill out a questionnaire listing his skills, hobbies, how much education he has had and from where, his special interests, and his work background, if any. The applicant must also provide references from friends, teachers, and/or employers. Furthermore, he must take placement tests – which are noncompetitive and test his ability to learn foreign languages. A volunteer is picked fro training on the basis of the information he gives on the questionnaire, the ability and aptitude he shows on the tests, and his references.

After taking the tests, a chosen volunteer must go through a training period of eight to ten weeks at a college in the United States. During this time, the volunteer is taught a great deal about the country in which he will be working. He studies its language, history, and culture. he is also given technical, physical, and health training to enable him to remain healthy while living like the natives of the country where he will be working. Another important part of the training is learning about the history of the United States and the meaning of democracy. this enables the volunteer to explain our system of government to others when he is asked. When the training period ends, the final selection of volunteers is made.

After the final selections, the successful volunteer is sent to a foreign country, where he serves for two years. By the time the two years are completed he understands that the initial selection and training process was worthwhile.