English Composition

English Composition Study Guide

• offer specific advice for revising the writing that you think wouldmake it a more effective piece of writing. Provided Reading: Prompt for the essay below: Television stations and websites with paid advertising are putting restrictions on PSA content. They are working to avoid controversial or disturbing content often found in public service announcements. While some feel like the content may be too emotional or blunt, others feel like it’s the most effective way to reach an audience and create change. An argument has been written by a person in the production industry who works to create PSAs in the document “Public Service Announcements”. There is a problem with controversial PSAs. Should they or should they not be shown on TV? People have a hard time trying to decide whether or not it is appropriate. Controversial PSAs should not be shown on air because they are too inappropriate. First, the language is too inappropriate. They could be played in the evening when little kids are watching tv. One quote says, “shouldn’t be accessible to children under 13. The language is too raw.” Another quote from “Are Teen Safe Sex PSAs too Controversial” says, “ racy language is disturbing and simply not the money for safe campaign should be spent.” It is a waste of money to do a PSA with bad language because they can’t show it on tv. Second, its too graphic. They shouldn’t make PSA’s really graphic for you to get the point. One quote from “Are Teen Safe Sex PSA’s too Controversial” says, “ the videos are alarming and they advocated for safe sex in a roundabout way.” Little kids could be watching the PSA and could see something that they’re not suppose to. Another quote from, “Is PSA about texting while driving too graphic” says “The PSA sends out a horrible visual to illustrate the dangers of texting while driving. People shouldn’t have to see a lot of blood and it be really graphic for it to be effective. Controversial PSAs should not be shown on tv. The language is too inappropriate and they are too graphic. They show a bad way too get a point across. They should be mindful of people and take controversial PSAs off of tv. Strong Response Example: In the writing titled “Public Service Announcements” the author is trying to convince readers that controversial content sometimes found in PSAs is inappropriate for television. While the author uses transitions and attempts to support his ideas with examples from an outside text, the argument is weak and the opposing argument is never refuted. A few minor revisions to this response could allow the author to present a stronger and clearer argument and achieve his goal of changing the minds readers. The author of the writing has a basic understanding of essay and argument structure. He has a thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph, which is direct and to the point. Each body paragraph has a clear topic sentence that relates back to the thesis. The author not only uses transitions between body paragraphs, but also within sentences as he moves from one idea and example to the next. The author clearly sees the importance of backing up his ideas and claim with support from an outside source as he uses quotations from articles in order to try and make his argument stronger. The structure of the writing is very logical, with each body paragraph having a

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