Annotated introduction to an argument

Introduction to argument

Annotated paragraph. Original text: Although the Supreme Court has ruled against prayer in public schools on First Amendment grounds, many people still feel that prayer should be allowed. Such people value prayer as a practice central to their faith and believe that prayer is a way for schools to reienforce moral principles. They also compellingly point out a paradox in the First Amendmen itself: at what point does the separation of church and state restrict the freedom of those who wish to practice their religion? What proponants of school prayer fail to realize, however, is that the Supreme Court's decision, although it was made on legal grounds, makes sense on a religious grounds as well. Prayer is too important to be trusted to our public schools. --Kevin Smith, student. Annotations: Next to "the Supreme Court has ruled against": "Writer is knowledgeable, provides background." Next to "Such people value prayer": "Writer presents one point of view." Next to "They also compellingly point out a paradox": "Writer shows that he is fair-minded." Next to "What proponents of school prayer fail to realize": "An opposing point of view." Next to "Prayer is too important to be trusted to our public schools": "Thesis."