Negative claims of value The author criticizes_____________. She deplores____________. He finds fault in_____________. They regret that_____________. They complain that_____________. The authors are disappointed in_____________.

Positive claims of value  They praise_____________. He celebrates_____________. She applauds the notion that_____________. They endorse_____________. He admires_____________. She finds value in_____________. They rave about_____________.

Widely accepted claims of fact He informs us of _____________. She describes_____________. They note that _____________. He observes that _____________. She explains that _____________. The writer points out the way in which_____________.

Controversial claims of fact They argue that _____________. She maintains that _____________. He contends that _____________. They assert that _____________. She holds that _____________. He insists that _____________. She thinks_____________. They believe that_____________.

In recent years, illegal immigration into the United States at the U.S.-Mexico border has become a divisive political topic, resulting in a widening partisan divide as to whose priorities we should privilege: the immigrants’ or the nation’s. (Note: The author establishes a frame of reference in the first sentence, referencing the cultural context surrounding illegal immigration.) Are we global citizens or American citizens first? Anna Mills’ “Wouldn’t We All Cross the Border?” and Saramanda Swigart's “The Weight of the World” offer opposing views on this controversial issue. (Note: Here are our grounds for comparison, wherein the author briefly summarizes the two stances on immigration.)While Mills considers us global citizens, arguing for compassion toward suffering in our reevaluation of immigration policies and practices, Swigart believes we must be American citizens first, pointing out the necessity for a nation to secure its borders and enforce its laws. (Note: Essay thesis)