This is the central theme of the whole paper, so include it in the first or second paragraph. After you state your thesis, tell the reader why they should care about the points you are making, and explain the arguments you are critiquing.  Occasionally, some papers will present all of the arguments first and state the thesis at the end, but this is not recommended for college-level papers. If your thesis is “Mercy has more value than justice,” you could follow that with a motivating statement such as: “In a system rules purely by justice, there is no room for humanity. A mother who steals a loaf of bread for her starving child would be treated as harshly as a person who shoplifts for a thrill. Although both should face consequences, mercy would dictate that the mother be given a lesser penalty than the shoplifter.” Don't make the reader guess what you're talking about. If you are using a highly technical term, one with a very specific meaning, or a phrase which may be interpreted in different ways, take the time to define it. This will help the reader can easily follow your train of thought. Use these pronouns as signposts to announce what you are arguing. Even if you pick an argument without a clear right or wrong answer, you should always pick a side and stick to it throughout your paper. In the case of the paper on mercy vs justice, you would keep coming back to your position that mercy has more value than justice no matter how many objections you address. There will certainly be situations where justice must be implemented and a merciful approach is not appropriate. You can acknowledge that, because your argument is not that justice is never necessary, but that the quality of mercy has more intrinsic value than retributive justice. As you write your paper, think about what you're saying from the perspective of your reader. Think about any questions they might have and try to answer them in advance. Some questions your readers might have could include: “How do you define the terms 'mercy' and 'justice'?”, “Does an emphasis on mercy only apply to everyday situations or does it extend to the justice system?”, or “In what situations would you choose justice over mercy?” Philosophy can cover a lot of complex topics. Use analogies and metaphor to draw parallels between abstract ideas and everyday experiences. An analogy demonstrating the value of mercy might be that of a mother who forgives her child when the child has misbehaved, not because the child is blameless but because the mother loves the child and believes the child is remorseful and will do better next time.
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One-sentence summary -- Clearly state the thesis early in the paper. Define technical or ambiguous terms. Use phrases like “I will argue…” or “My next objection…”. Don't be a “fence-sitter”. Anticipate and answer questions. Use examples and analogies to support your point.


Pool installation prices are often higher during spring and summer and lower during the winter. Wait to have your pool installed in December or January for the best deal. If the pool is mainly going to be used by children, having it installed in December may also be a good way of making the pool a Christmas present. If you install your pool in October, you may have to wait 6 months before you’re able to actually use it. Have the pool installed in April or May if you want to have it ready to use by summer. Depending on your city or state, you may be required to install fencing or other safety measures in or around your pool. Check the regulations in your local area and make sure to install any signs, fences, or fixtures you’re required to have for your pool.  For example, you may be required to build a fence immediately surrounding your pool, or to simply make sure that your backyard is itself fenced in. Be sure to also contact your local homeowners’ association and find out if they have any particular guidelines for building and using private pools.
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One-sentence summary -- Have the pool installed in winter if you want to save money. Choose to install the pool right before summer if you want to use it quickly. Install proper fencing, if required.


In a small bowl, mix the salsa and sour cream together using a fork or mini whisk. Keep mixing until the color is even and there are no streaks. Set the dressing aside. Use the smooth kind of salsa and not the chunky kind (ie: pico de gallo). Once the oil starts to sizzle, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Give everything a stir with a wooden spoon or spatula, and make sure that the onion and garlic aren't clumped together into a pile. This will take about 1 to 2 minutes. While they are cooking, stir them often with a wooden spoon or spatula. This ensures that they cook evenly. Once the onion and garlic have turned soft, add the beef, and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it up. Cook the beef until it turns brown and starts to crumble, about 5 minutes. If you don't have beef, try it with ground turkey instead! To prevent your salad from becoming too soggy, make sure that the beans and chopped tomatoes are fully drained before you add them in. You are ready for the next step when the tomatoes start to break down. Gently fold the mixture together until everything is evenly combined. Save the rest of the dressing for later. You can do this using two large spoons or a pair of salad tongs. Grab the lettuce from the bottom of the bowl, and drop it gently back on top. Keep tossing the lettuce until it is evenly coated with the dressing. This will prevent the meat mixture from wiling the salad too much. It will also make for a nicer presentation. You can place the chips around the salad and scatter the cheese on top. You can also serve the cheese and chips separately to prevent them from getting too soggy.
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One-sentence summary -- Combine the salsa and sour cream to make the dressing. Heat the oil over medium heat in a medium-sized skillet, then add the onion and garlic. Cook the onion and garlic until they turn soft. Add the beef, and cook it for another 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the tomatoes, beans, cumin, chili powder, and salt, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Take the skillet off the heat, then add the cilantro and half of the dressing. Toss the remaining dressing with the lettuce in a large bowl. Distribute the lettuce between 4 plates, then scoop the meat mixture on top. Garnish the salads with shredded cheese and tortilla chips, and serve.


” Start this arm movement by holding your arms out in front of you, mostly straight and at chest level.  Cross your right wrist over your left and hold them together. Your wrists should cross at the center line of your body rather than on one side or the other. Lift your arms up and down in a loose bouncing movement, in time with the beat of the song. This movement is repeated eight times. ” Start this arm movement by holding your left arm so that the back of your wrist is near your chin, with your left elbow pointing straight left and your forearm flat.  Lift your right arm up until your upper arm is about at shoulder level and your right elbow is pointing diagonally to the right. Raise your right forearm so that it points straight up, and whip it in small circles to the beat of the song, as if you were a cowboy holding a rope lasso. This movement is repeated eight times as well. Fortunately, the pattern for the dance's arm movements is very simple. Start by "holding the reins." To a steady beat, bob your arms eight times, then switch to the "lasso" movement and wave your right arm eight times.
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One-sentence summary --
Learn to “hold the reins. Learn to make a “lasso. Learn the pattern.