Table of Contents

I.  Opening

II.  Titles

III.  Related Topics

IV.  Outline

V.  Introduction

VI.  Essay Hook

VII.  Thesis Statement

VIII. Body

A.  Background

B.  Jihad

C.  Sunni/Shia Split

D. Relationship between AL Qaeda and Isis

E. ISIS attacks on the United States

IX.  Conclusion

X.  Works Cited

XI.  Closing

Opening

In this essay about ISIS attacks in America, we examine attacks by the terrorist organization ISIS, which have occurred on U.S. soil.  Because of the structure of ISIS/ISIL, which operate in cells, it can be extremely difficult to determine whether a terrorist attack carried out by someone claiming to be working on behalf of ISIS was actually directed by ISIS.  Therefore, for the purposes of this essay, we are working on the assumption that attacks by people who appear to be radicalized Muslims and claim a personal affiliation with ISIS are, indeed, ISIS attacks.  This essay will give some background information on ISIS and explain how it is structured.  It will discuss how ISIS is effectively using terrorist attacks outside of the United States and its plans to translate that strategy into one that will be effective in the United States.  In this essay we will not only discuss current ISIS terror attacks, but also whether the strategies the country is currently using to try to prevent terrorist attacks are likely to be effective.  In addition to discussing ISIS attacks in America, this example essay will show you how to write an essay by providing examples of: the introduction, a thesis statement, body paragraphs combining evidence and analysis, and a strong conclusion.  The essay concludes by recapping the information presented in the essay as well as thoughts about the future of ISIS attacks in America and what the country can do to help reduce the risk of those attacks.

Titles

ISIS Is Coming to America, Or Is It?  Are Domestic Attacks by ISIS the Result of Terrorists Coming to the United States or of Radicalization of People Inside the United States?

Weapons of Mass Destruction: ISIS has Perfected the Use of Vehicles to Kill Groups in Europe and Is Now Bringing this Strategy to the US

Radical Islamic Terrorism: Is it Really the Biggest Threat Facing Domestic Security

ISIS Attacks and the Trump Administration: Will the New Presidential Administration’s Approach to Terrorism Increase or Decrease the Likelihood of Domestic Terrorist Attacks

Related Topics

Radical Islamic Terrorism- What is radical Islamic terrorism?  How does it differ from the Islam practiced by the majority of Muslims?  Does the religion, itself, promote violence, or is terrorism a corruption of the religion.

Afghanistan and Russia- How did Russian involvement in Afghanistan help bring about a modern era of terrorism?  While the mujahedeen fought with the United States in Afghanistan to repel Russian forces, they have since become radicalized against the Western world.  What are the roots of this radicalization and can the schism ever be bridged?

Domestic Violence and Domestic Terrorism- While the media is quick to focus on the religious or political affiliations of people who commit mass killings when they are brown, the real answer to domestic terrorism may involve domestic violence.  Regardless of religious or political affiliation, most people who commit mass homicides in the United States have a documented history of domestic violence.  Is failure to respond adequately and appropriately to these charges part of the reason that the United States is struggling with a huge domestic terrorist problem?

Outline

I.  Introduction

II.  Body

A.  Background

B.  Jihad

C.  The Sunni/Shia Split

D.  The Relationship between AL Qaeda and Isis

E.  ISIS attacks on the U.S.

III.  Conclusion

Introduction

In order to understand ISIS attacks in America, it is important to understand the roots of what is often referred to as “radical Islamic terrorism.”  Radical Islamic Terrorism refers to terrorism by a group claiming to be Muslim and stating that the terrorism is done in order to fulfill religious obligations or further political/religious goals.  Religious terrorism is nothing new and is not limited to people of the Muslim faith.  In fact, the long history of political terrorism can often be traced to fundamental conflicts about religious beliefs. ...
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On 9-11, these terrorists were able to successfully use planes as missiles to destroy the World Trade Center in New York City, and damage the Pentagon.  When passengers on a fourth plane became aware of the terrorists’ intentions to use the planes as missiles, they were able to take back the plane, which resulted in it crashing in a relatively unpopulated area of Pennsylvania.  9-11 was the largest terrorist attack on American soil, and brought attention to the concept of radical Islamic terrorism and the concept of jihad.

Essay Hook

Like other religions of peace, Islam had one of its most inspiring concept, Jihad, perverted by those seeking power, and terrorists claiming allegiance to ISIS now use this concept to slaughter people around the globe.

Thesis Statement

Although domestic terrorism by radicalized white Christian males still poses more of a threat to the average American, there is no question that an increasing risk of ISIS attacks on American soil is a reality that Americans need to acknowledge and address before they become as prevalent as they are in Europe.

Body

Jihad

In order to understand any variety of radical Islamic terrorism, it is necessary to understand the concept of Jihad, at least as interpreted by terrorist groups like Isis.  To most Muslims, Jihad is not a violent or radicalized concept.  In fact, violent Jihad is specifically prohibited by the Koran except for under very specific circumstances.  Jihad is a concept that refers to any type of struggle against the enemies of Islam and is, for most Muslims, conveyed as more of a spiritual type of struggle.  Jihad is often used to refer to an individual’s efforts to become a better Muslim.  Even in those rare instances when a violent action is considered part of Jihad, it must be declared by a proper authority and the war must be considered a just war.

However, there is no question that the concept of Jihad has been highjacked by terrorists.  They use the concept of Jihad to promote the establishment of what they call an Islamic state.  This Jihad not only targets non-Muslims, but is also being used against Muslims around the world.  In many ways, the best way to view it is as if the terrorist leaders were using the concept of Jihad simply as a motivational tool, stripping it of any real religious authority while still claiming religious justifications for actions that all actual practicing Muslims would believe violated the Koran.

The Sunni/Shia Split and the Roots of Radical Islam

Another important thing to understand is that, much like Christianity’s division into two broad groups: Catholics and protestants, Muslims are split into two big groups: the Sunni and the Shia. Both groups consider themselves to be the one true Muslim faith, which has led to division and violence between Muslims and also helps explain why some Muslims are targeted by ISIS attacks.   When the prophet Muhammad died in 632 AD, Muslims split into two groups because of a disagreement about who was the appropriate successor for the prophet.  The Shia believed that only Muhammad’s descendants could lead the religion, which led to the formation of a religious leadership that was based along the same lines as a monarchy.  The Sunni believed that any of the worthiest Muslims should be considered for leadership.

Until a few decades ago, globally the Sunni had a reputation as the more peaceful of the two parts of Islam because the Iranian Revolution was led by the Shia and helped create Hezbollah, one of the first modern radical Islamic groups.  However, the mujahedeen who fought against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan were a Sunni group that were eventually radicalized and became Al Qaeda

The Relationship Between Al Qaeda and ISIS

Given that Al Qaeda and its leaders were the number one U.S. public enemies for a very long period of time, many people assume that ISIS is simply Al Qaeda with a new name.  While it is true that ISIS’s original leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was part of Al Qaeda, almost as soon as he branched off from Al Qaeda there were apparent differences between the two groups.  Perhaps the most significant difference is that ISIS considers itself an Islamic caliphate.  Its goal, which it has largely accomplished in the Middle East…