Topic Sentence (Claim + Main Point)

Example 1:

A positive aspect of genetically modified foods is that it will enhance sustainable life. Diseases impact life daily and, "The genetic engineering of plants has the potential to provide edible plant vaccines that could be used to immunize individuals against a wide variety of infectious diseases ranging from cholera to potentially AIDS" (Edwards).

This proves that even some of the most harmful diseases, such as AIDS, can be avoided through the creation of GMOs. Having a strong immune system is vital in today’s society due to drastic weather changes causing immunities to weaken. It may seem that very little testing has been done to support sustainability, however, testing has been successful, driven by genetically modified food engineering (Edward). Not only do

GMOs give the potential for immunization, they also will allow for foods to be fresher for longer periods of time.

Topic sentence (claim + main point)

Evidence (including citation)

Explanation of the evidence (including other evidence to further support explanation)

Counterclaim AND rebuttal (one sentence)

Transition sentence (previewing the next topic without stating it the same way) Example 2:

As a result of GMO farming, America’s produce yields have increased by two percent (United States Department of Agriculture). According to

Graham Brookes, "The economic benefit farmers realize are clear and amounted to an average of over $130/hectare in 2011" (If this was an internet source, no citation needed; book source would be page number). This in turn helps the economy as a whole because farmers can sell more produce to the people in

America, which lowers prices because of their wide availability. Additionally, due to low prices, it will be easier for the thousands of hungry people in our country to afford a meal. Some may say that there hasn’t been any change, but that would be logically impossible. (Student should follow with further explanation about how it is logically impossible to strengthen the argument).

Since GMO’s are herbicide tolerant, fewer crops are thrown away due to chemical damage and even with all these crops being grown, scientists still found a way to make GMOs environmentally friendly.

Topic sentence (claim + main point)

Evidence (including citation)

Explanation of the evidence (including other evidence to further support explanation)

Counterclaim AND rebuttal (one sentence)

Transition sentence (previewing the next topic without stating it the same way) Example 3:

The environment is struggling to survive amidst pollution, overpopulation, and numerous other challenges, and GMOs are unfortunately contributing to the problem. According to scientists, “Biodiversity, while it is critical in all ecosystems and the sustainability of all species, is put at risk by

GMOs” (One Green Planet). Scientists and researchers have proven that GMOs are negatively impacting the environment because of chemicals in them. The environment is one of the most important assets of human life because the whole basis of life is dependent on it. One such example is explained as, “the monarch butterfly’s population has decreased by 50% in the United States because of the use of GMOs in their habitats” (One Green Planet). Monarch butterflies pollinate plants, which will cause other organisms to suffer without them. Despite the fact that only a few studies involving GMOs and the environment have been conducted, the majority of them have shown that

GMOs are harmful to ecosystems. Along with the environment being put at risk, humans are now in severe danger because of side effects created by

GMOs contained in foods.

Topic sentence (claim + main point)

Evidence (including citation)

Explanation of the evidence (including other evidence to further support explanation)

Counterclaim AND rebuttal (one sentence)

Transition sentence (previewing the next topic without stating it the same way) Example 3

GMOs give the potential for immunization, they also will allow for foods to be fresher for longer periods of time.

Topic sentence (claim + main point)

Evidence (including citation)

Explanation of the evidence (including other evidence to further support explanation)

Counterclaim AND rebuttal (one sentence)

Transition sentence (previewing the next topic without stating it the same way)