1st Five Prompts
Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
student designed: More likely to do it, may find the project more enjoyable, teaches them different skills teacher designed: provides a challenge, provides a glimpse of how the class will be taught, lets students contact the teacher if they are confused Thesis: Summer projects should be teacher-designed to provide a challenge, provide a glimpse of how the class will be taught, and students would have a free source of information.
The great artist Michelangelo once said, "The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." Do you agree or disagree with Michelangelo's statement? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with details and specific examples.
Agree: Dream big, Go for higher things, Be above average, Personal improvement, Better/harder goals achieved, Great opportunities Disagree: Set measurable goals, Being basic, Being a average/typical Thesis: The great artist Michelangelo once said, "The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too low and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." This statement is true for many reasons. First if an individual does not challenge him or herself, and push their limits, they will never see personal improvement. Also, by aiming higher, bigger and long-term goals for the future can be reached. Another thing to consider is how many great opportunities will be missed by not setting our aim too high.
In some societies, students are expected to identify a career by the time they enter high school. Their courses of study in high school are selected to guide them toward a specific career. Do you think it is a good idea for students to commit to a career at a young age? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Agree: Get to study ahead of time/more, more experience once they enter the career Disagree: interest might change, may lead to lack of work, financial issues Thesis: Students should to be expected to identify a career by the time they enter high school. A students interest might change, it would lead to them disliking school, and the student might not be financially stable and capable of the job.
Some states have now made it illegal to drive while using a hand-held cell phone. Do you agree or disagree with this law? Why or why not? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Agree: Less distraction, Less accidents, People are able to stay focused Disagree: What if there is an emergency, Need for GPS, Running late Thesis: Some states have now made it illegal to drive using a hand-held cell phone. This statement is true because drivers will be less accident prone and have the ability to focus better.
Some school districts offer programs that allow high school students to graduate in three years instead of the traditional four years. Most students who follow this plan must take courses during the summers or in the evenings or may not be able to take elective courses. Is it a good idea for students to finish high school in three years and enter college or the work force one year early? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Agree: More free time Disagree: Less time to take a break, Electives are meant for students to learn about their likes and dislikes, Takes up about three summers Thesis: School district should not offer programs that allow high school students to graduate in three years. This would lead to less focus on electives, less summer free time, and more stress on students.
In his book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum lists these simple lessons: put things back where you found them, play and work some every day, hold hands and stick together. Do you agree or disagree that these lessons apply to life today? Or is life too complicated for such simplicity? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Agree: Put things back they you'll never lose them, Playing and working will help, getting along with others helps make connections Disagree: Rearrange, Working is helpful being independent is okay Thesis: Fulghum's lessons are valid because putting things back in place ensures nothing is lost, playing and working balances out, and getting along helps by having connection and communicating.
Some schools offer distance learning as an option for students to attend classes from home by way of online or video conferencing. Do you think students would benefit from being able to attend classes from home? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Agree: Technology is evolving, less likely to miss class, comfortable learning environment, easer to focus, cheaper Disagree: distraction, issues with internet, confusing Thesis: Some schools should offer distance learning because technology is evolving, less like to miss class, and comfortable learning environments.
Some people believe in praising a student's work to build self-esteem, even if the work is not the student's best effort. They believe that students must be self-confident in order to learn. Others believe that praise given for deficient work undermines learning by lowering standards. They believe that the source of true self-esteem is achievement. Does true self-esteem come from praise or does it come from achievement? Take a position on this issue. Use reasons and specific examples to support your ideas.
Agree: Think ideas are the best, good effort, confidence Disagree: no confidence, self-esteem, lower standards Thesis: Teachers should not praise students because it would boost self-esteem, students would push to achieve goals, and students will have higher standards.
Many occupations have dress codes for employees. Write to convince business leaders that dress code should or should not be required. Support your position with reasons and specific examples.
Dress Code: look professional, make good first impression, customers wold be more attracted No dress code: people may not be able to afford, freedom of speech, may not look good on everyone Thesis: Dress codes should be required for employees because it looks professional, makes a good first impression, and brings in more customers.
Philosopher, physician, and humanitarian Albert Schweitzer said, "Example is not the main thing in influencing others; it is the only thing." Is setting a good example by your own behavior the best way to influence other people, or are there better ways to influence others? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
For: younger siblings, peer pressure, actions effect others Agains: People can make their own choices Thesis: Example is the only thing influencing others because of peer pressure, first way they may have learned it, and people actions effect others.
Imagine your school cafeteria plans to change to a new, healthier school lunch menu, which would eliminate some of the students' favorite cafeteria foods. Take a position on this issue and write to convince your principal whether this change to the school menu is a good idea or a bad idea. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
Good: Kids will not be eating health food they are not eating at home, Kinds won't be obese, Less diabetes Bad: Many kids will be just beginning to pack, Should just add more healthy eating styles to the menu, Kids like choices Thesis: The school changing the lunches can be better for the students. Getting healthy food can help the students get more energy, they will decreased diabetes, and they won't be obese. It is always a god thing to do that.
Think about the benefits of working with a group or working alone. Which do you feel is more beneficial? Write to convince your teacher of your preference, either to work with a group or to work alone. Support your position with reasons and specific examples.
Group: Get then job done faster, Helps improve communication skills and other social skills, Can have other people to assist you if you begin to struggle/help trouble, Share the workload ideas, Teaches responsibility Alone: Do not have to stress someone not doing their part, Always have an idea agouti what is going on, You do not have to compromise, Don't get distracted by others Thesis: It is more beneficial to work in a group because is helps an individual improve social and personal skills, it lessons the workload put on someone, and it prepares people for the real world when they must interact with others.
Civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi wrote, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Do you agree or disagree with Gandhi's statement about the importance of helping others as a way of discovering more about yourself? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Learn about ourselves: Shows ones true character, We become humble, We learn to be grateful for what we have Don't learn about ourselves: We learn more by distancing ourselves, There are other ways to learn about one's self, People aren't learning about themselves by helping others; they are learning about the people they help Thesis: We learn about ourselves when we truly give to others because this shows ones true character, people become humble, and people become stronger as individuals.
A city council is debating the adoption of a 10 P.M. weekday curfew and a midnight weekend curfew for teenagers. If the curfew is adopted, teenagers on the streets after those hours would be breaking the law. Do curfews keep teenagers out of trouble, or do they unfairly interfere in young people's lives? Take a position on this question. Use reasons and specific examples to support your views
Out of trouble: Drunk driving, tired driving, hard to see at night Unfairly Interfere: emergency situations responsibility, learning experience Thesis: By teenagers having a curfew, it would reduce drunk driving, prevent excessive drowsiness, and teach teenagers responsibility and time management.
Some people say that with dedication, persistence, and time, people can accomplish any goal. Others say that people are limited in what they can accomplish and need to be realistic when setting goals. Take a position on this issue. Use specific reasons and examples to support your ideas.
People can accomplish any goal with dedication: By focusing on one specific goal a person can achieve it, People should always follow their dream, People should always believe People should be realistic: People will be in their comfort zone, Realistic goals prevent failure, People will be more likely to achieve their goals Thesis: People should be realistic when setting goals because realistic goals prevent failure, people will be more likely to achieve their goals, and people will be in their comfort zone.
It has been said that a positive attitude is the key to success in life. Do you agree or disagree with this statement about the importance of attitude? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Positive Attitude is the Key to Success: A good attitude keeps you motivated, People will be less likely to give up, Positive attitudes can make the situation better Positive Attitude is not the Key to Success: People are more motivated by their achievements, Having positivity decrease your willingness to give your all, People need more than positivity they need education Thesis: A positive attitude is the key to success because a good attitude keeps an individual motivated, people will be less likely to give up, and a positive attitude is needed in all aspects of life.
Many people enjoy the freedom of using cell phones wherever they go. Some people argue, however, that cell phone use should be limited because it may disturb others. Should people be allowed to use cell phones in places like stores, restaurants, and movie theaters, or should cell phone use in such places be banned? Take a position on this question. Use reasons and specific examples to support your views.
Pros: Access , Connection, Emerging, Entertainment, Courtesy Cons: Disturbing, Wastes money, Time Thesis: Cell phone use if positive because it provides access connection, and entertainment.
It has been said that first impressions are almost impossible to change. Based on your experiences, do you agree or disagree with this statement? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Pros: Always will remember the bad, Push away, First memory Cons: Interesting, Convincing, Meet again, Influence Thesis: It is said that first impressions are almost impossible to change. This statement is very true for many reasons. Many people will always remember the bad, push someone away automatically, and the first memory, and the first memory o someone is the one that sticks.
Many schools require students to participate in volunteer programs in their communities as a requirement for graduation. However, some people feel that requiring students to volunteer defeats the purpose of volunteering. Do you think students should be required to volunteer in their communities to receive their high school diplomas? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Pros: Benefits everyone, Helps the community, Future benefits, Looks good on college applications, Social benefits Cons: Takes time away from students studying, Being forced, Not coming form the heart Thesis: Many schools require students to participate in volunteer programs in their communities as a requirement for graduation. Students should be required to participate in volunteer programs because it will help the community, benefit everyone involved, and include many social benefits.
Some people say that most teenagers are careless and do not think about the consequences of their actions. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Take a position on this question. Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.
Pros: College, Jobs, Graduate Early Cons: Parties, Teen pregnancy Thesis: Teens are not careless they care about getting into college, graduating early, and getting a job.
Some people believe that students should be required to take a music, a drama, or an art class. Should students be required to take a class in the arts, or should such classes be electives? Take a position on this issue. Use reasons and specific examples to support your position.
Pros: Creativity, Helps the students that want to go into entertainment, In middle school the classes should be required so it sparks interest in high school Cons: Not beneficial to all students, Students might not try, Scheduling other required classes Thesis: Students should be required to take an art, a drama, or a music class. These classes will give students the opportunity to express their creativity, the classes will benefit students that want to go into the entertainment industry, and the classes will spark interest in future classes.
Some educators argue that every child in school should have access to computers. Others believe that too much importance is placed on computers and that they may actually interfere with the learning process. In your opinion, how important are computers in the classroom? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Pros: Documents online, work can be done easily, no way to lose papers Cons: distracting, computers could mess up, waste learning time Thesis: Schools should allow students to have access to computers so they can easily share work with a group, they can not lose their papers, and hold documents online.
Because of safety concerns, many states have increased the age at which teens can begin to drive. Your state legislature is considering raising the minimum driving age from 16 to 18. Do you think the minimum driving age should be raised? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Pros: Gives more time to learn, Cause wrecks from young adults to decrease, Less traffic, Air less polluted Cons: Less freedom, makes it harder for teens to get a job, could be more experience, buses less crowded. Thesis: Teen drivers should be allowed to drive at 16 because it allows them to get a job, get a better high school experience, and gives them a feel for the road.
Many people feel that American society is too competitive. Does competition lead to better products and results, or does it lead to a focus on winning at all costs? Is fierce competition a good idea or bad idea? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Pros: Greater advances in technology, Lower prices, Best quality Cons: government/company spending increases Thesis: The American society is known of its strong level of competition, simply because that is how it functions. Competition is used by big companies such as Apple or samsung, who try to prove why they are the better company. This competition leads to better prices on items, amazing quality, and great technological advances witting the American society.
Technology allows people to complete many tasks without having contact with others. People can check out books, shop, and play games without speaking to another person. Has the limitation of human contact due to the use of technology had positive or negative effects on people's lives? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Pros: Life skills, Technology skills would improve, World wide information, Easy access to our day to day life Cons: Relationships, no exercise, interact with other people will go down Thesis: The use of technology has a negative effect on human interactions because it doesn't help relationships, it is unhealthy living, and communication and interpersonal skills decline.
Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Pros: New ideas, Able to express yourself, More control Cons: No guidance, No family time, May stay from school subject Thesis: Summer projects should be student designed because of new ideas, the ability to express oneself, and in order to have more control.
Many cities have issues with air pollution and traffic jams because there are too many cars on the roads. Some people feel that cities should restrict the use of cars and require people to walk, bike, or use public transportation, such as buses or trains. Do you think this proposal is a good idea? Why or why not? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.Po
Pros: Saves the economy, Less Pollution, Tall bridges Cons: people pay for their car, cost money for transportation, People have to wait, You could miss your stop Thesis: People should have the right to drive their car because people pay for their cars, it cost money to take the bus or train, and there are limited stops.
Most public places, including schools, have installed video cameras for surveillance. Is the installation of surveillance cameras the best way to provide security, or is it a privacy violation that would not deliver what it promises? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Pros: Theft, Valid evidence when in court of Law, Monitor the consumer and employees Cons: If a camera is in a restroom or changing area, the person controlling the camera may not be reliable, it can make people uncomfortable Thesis: Security cameras are one of the most reliable sources of evidence. The only privacy violation that could occur would be the person controlling the camera would not be professional.
Some schools use cell phones in the classroom for educational purposes. Think about the effects of allowing students to have and use cell phones in classrooms. Take a position on this issue. Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.
Pros: can be used to record assignments down, studies show that people are more likely to do tasks when there on their phone, dictionaries, google Cons: distraction, social media, video games, cheating Thesis: Schools should allow cellphone use in the classrooms because they can be used to record assignments, have easy access to dictionaries, and can be use to Google information.
Many students become involved in extracurricular activities to enrich their educational experiences, and some even become involved in so many activities that they have little time to study or complete homework assignments. Should schools control student involvement in extracurricular activities, or should the decision regarding extracurricular involvement be left to students and their families? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
School decision: Helps improve grades Student decision: Make own choices, learn how to balance obstacles in life, Teaches students multitasking Thesis: Students should have the option of managing the extracurricular activities they participate in because it prepares them for the real world, lets them know what they are capable of, and gives them freedom of choice.
Research has shown that teenagers experience a change in their internal sleep clocks so that waking up early and going to sleep early are difficult. Should high school classes begin later in the day and end later in the day to accommodate students' natural sleep clocks? Consider some of the benefits and disadvantages to starting school later in the day. Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Start early: More stuff to do during the day Start Late: More sleep, More focus, Improve health, reduces tardies Thesis: Schools should start later because it would reduce tardies, improve health, and would improve focus in the classroom.
Some say that the journey is more important than the destination. They argue that people find more joy and satisfaction in working toward a goal and achieving it. Others say that it is the destination that gives meaning to the journey. They argue that the process of working toward a goal would be meaningless without its achievement. Take a position on this issue. Use reasons and specific examples to support your ideas.
The Journey Is More Important: Teaches people about themselves, Builds ones Character, Can teach people many things, The destination is more satisfying when there is hard work behind it The Destination is More Important than the Journey: A person gains confidence, the goal will be achieved, One's hard work will be paid off, People cannot go on a journey without a destination Thesis: The destination is more important than the journey because a person gains confidence, the goal will be achieved, and one's hard work will be paid off
People who value self-reliance define it as the need for each individual to follow his or her own instincts and ideas. Should people make their own decisions, or should they seek guidance from experts and authorities about life's important matters? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Themselves: Guidance is not needed, Not having guidance help people grow as a person, Guidance makes people look week Others: Other people may have a better understanding, Everybody needs to take advice, Without guidance the outcome may be worse
Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." Do you agree or disagree with Emerson's statement about individuality? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
To be Yourself: Find happiness, No worry about impressing others To not be Yourself: Individuality can lead to isolation, Peer pressure can be positive, There is strength in numbers Thesis: Being how other people want you to be is not always good because individuality can lead to isolation, peer pressure can be positive, and there is strength in numbers.
Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Determine never to be idle . . . It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing." Do we accomplish more if we are always doing something, or does inactivity also serve a purpose? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
We Accomplish more if we are always doing something: People get more done, People don't get bored, Things get done quicker Inactivity serves a Purpose: Gives people time to relax, Collect their thoughts, Focus on multiple tasks and one will never get done Thesis: We accomplish more if we are always doing something because people get more done during the day, people stay busy, and people make constant progress.
The British naturalist and politician John Lubbock wrote, "Your character will be what you yourself choose to make it." Do we choose our own character traits, or is our character formed by influences beyond our control? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
We Choose our Own trait: People have a say in what they want to be in life, People want to have a better influence on others, People determine world events to make them who they are, People control their actions Our Character is formed by Others: Some people don't know how to feel or act so they follow others, When some people see other do things the think its okay to do the same, People are pressured to act like others Thesis: Peoples character is formed by others because people follow what they know, people are pressured, and people take what other say seriously.
Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." Based on your experiences, do you agree or disagree with Emerson's statement? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
We grow if we go past mastery: People will be better at what they have mastered, People who stop trying won't know their max ability, People will not know unless they push themselves harder We do not grow beyond mastery: People won't know what they can achieve, People will not try as hard as they can, People won't get better at a certain skill Thesis: We grow if we go past mastery because people will be better at what they do, people will stop trying, and going above and beyond will have a good impact on ones life.
It has been said that actions speak louder than words. Based on your experiences, do you agree or disagree with this saying? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Words are louder: Express feelings, Words can change, Telling stories Actions are louder: Words are empty promises, Actions can fix things, People remember actions better than words Thesis: It is true that actions speak louder than words because words are just empty promises, actions fix more, and actions are more memorable.
It has been said, "Failure is not the worst thing in the world. The very worst is not to try." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Take a position on this issue. Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.
Worst thing: This makes people want to give up, Failure creates a bad attitude, This prevents people from getting ahead Not the worst thing: If you don't try you'll regret it, May motivate someone to push themselves, Learn from failure, Eliminates things you're not good at Thesis: Failure can lead to motivation, knowledge being gained, and will eliminate things an individual is not good at.
Most students enjoy summer vacation, but some educators feel that the summer break is too long and that students do not retain information as easily when they return in the fall. Some people argue that there should be year-round schools, where there would be a 3-4 week break in the summer, a longer winter break, and a week off in the spring and fall. Does this sound like a good idea to you? Why or why not? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Year long: easier to remember information, Learn more, graduate early, causes more stress Long summer break: More freedom, gives student motivation, causes less stress Thesis: Students should have a long summer break instead of going to school year-round because they will have more freedom, it gives them motivation, and causes less stress.
To conserve energy and resources, some businesses have adopted a four-day work week, with each day consisting of ten hours. Should your school follow this model by extending the school day two hours? After considering the benefits and disadvantages to a four-day school week, take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
agree: Save energy, Save reuses, Less gas money for buses to run disagree: Longer classes, Sports and club activities won't benefit, larger homework load Thesis: Schools should not adopt a four-day work week. This would lead to longer classes, negative impact on clubs and sports teams, and a larger amount of homework.
