PARAGRAPHS #2: Opening and Closing

1

Select the closing paragraph that more effectively engages readers and states a thesis. 1) Although many studies show that there may be no nutritional value in choosing organic over other fresh foods, there are several environmental and health benefits to families that make it worthwhile for consumers to seek out organic products. Farmers who are committed to organic methods produce more per acre while promoting biodiversity and making less of an impact on the environment. Organic products are also free of antibiotics and free of the synthetic pesticides and other toxins used around conventional farms. Therefore, choosing to eat foods with the organic label is an important way for people to support these farmers that can also make a difference in overall health. 2) Although many studies show that there may be no nutritional value in choosing organic over other fresh foods, there are several environmental and health benefits to families that make it worthwhile for consumers to seek out organic products. Also, some consumers believe that studies about nutrition and organic food have not been rigorous enough. For other consumers, it is important to support farmers who are committed to organic methods because they produce more per acre while promoting biodiversity and making less of an impact on the environment. Organic products are also free of antibiotics and free of the synthetic pesticides and other toxins used around conventional farms. Therefore, choosing to eat foods with the organic label is an important way for people to support these farmers that can also make a difference in overall health.

2

Select the closing paragraph that more effectively engages readers and states a thesis. 1) Debates on media violence and its effects on youth are complex. In order to reduce violence in our culture, violent media should be seen as one factor that needs attention. Also, teaching aggressive children to interact successfully with other people may be a more fruitful approach. Maggie Cutler points out that real life is actually stronger than media influence. 2) In the debate over media violence and its effects on youth, studies are often contested and complex. Although the goal of this research is to find causes in order to reduce violence in our culture, violent media should more accurately be described as one factor among many. Addressing aggressive children's inability to interact successfully with other people may be a more fruitful approach. As Maggie Cutler points out, "However strong media influences may be, real life is stronger" (689).

1

Select the closing paragraph that more effectively engages readers and states a thesis. 1) The most underused and valuable real estate in the country may be the hidden spaces currently paved for sprawling parking lots. Many planners and architects believe that by rethinking the uses for this land, communities can be revitalized. Although it will require both developers and local governments to think more creatively about their projects, Americans must demand thoughtful development that replaces asphalt parking lots and limits sprawl. 2) As we have seen, there is a great deal of land devoted to sprawling parking lots. Developers and governments must work creatively to build alternative parking structures in the future.

1

Select the opening paragraph that more effectively engages readers and states a thesis. 1) As long as there have been dress codes in school there have been students testing the limits of what is appropriate. While testing high-school dress codes is nothing new, some current students are defying rules by challenging gender norms for clothing. In response, some schools are working to accept students who experiment with gender norms, while other schools struggle with what is acceptable. For example, some openly gay students have been sent home or disciplined for dress that was not deemed appropriate for their gender. Schools that discipline these students for violating dress codes may be found to be suppressing student free speech or political expression. 2) Students are always testing school dress codes with inappropriate clothing. Defying high-school dress codes is not new. But it is new to hear about students experimenting with gender in their clothing choices. Some schools are accepting of student experimentation with what is normal. Other schools have had mixed responses.

2

Select the opening paragraph that more effectively engages readers and states a thesis. 1) In 2010, several major college sports leagues including the Pac Ten and Big Ten conducted realignment negotiations. As universities considered severing deep rivalries and beloved traditions, the loyalty of college sports fans was taken for granted. The schools involved claimed publicly to have multiple reasons, but only made changes based on national television exposure and revenues for their football teams. While the schools involved made smart business decisions, followers of college sports should remain skeptical about how much the commissioners of these leagues care about average fans. 2) In the race to realign college sports leagues in 2010, the only losers were the fans. As universities publicly considered severing deep rivalries and beloved traditions, the loyalty of fans of college sports was taken for granted. Although the officials in charge of negotiations claimed to have other criteria, the schools involved joined new leagues or stayed put only after carefully calculating national television exposure and revenues for their football teams. While the schools involved made smart business decisions, followers of college sports should remain skeptical about how much the commissioners of these leagues care about average fans.

1

Select the opening paragraph that more effectively engages readers and states a thesis. 1) News reports surface regularly that feature a driver who uses a GPS navigation gadget, follows turn-by-turn directions obediently, then crashes. Some of these drivers, caught up in following visual or verbal GPS instructions, forget that any map can contain flawed information. Others may be distracted from the world outside by the visual displays themselves. New research questions whether drivers focused on maps and directions are prepared to handle the unexpected on the road. Even as more people drive with the assistance of computer devices, safe drivers must be active, alert, and mindful of surroundings. 2) The GPS devices that many drivers rely on offer valuable automated visual and verbal directions. Navigating with a GPS is useful and convenient, but these devices can sometimes suggest routes that are unsafe. And just as with navigating using maps, many drivers forget that even GPS devices can contain flawed or outdated information.