In your own words, summarize the prompt and state the question it raises. Introduce briefly two different sides of the issue, i.e. the one that agrees with the conclusion, and the other that rejects the conclusion.
State your position on the issue in question and list your reasons starting with the best one. Do not explain your reasons since that comes in the following paragraph.
Develop an argument for your position by addressing the reasons that you listed above. Start with stating a reason in the topic sentence, and then explain it. Use separate paragraphs for each reason.
Address an argument for the opposing view, and follow the same format: state their reason and then reject it, i.e. show why it is not as good as they think.
All points you make in your essay should be connected to the question you are writing about. Your essay will be graded for its content, clarity and grammar. This essay must be your individual work.
Prompt:
Should the public be shown actual courtroom trials on television? It seems as though the system can easily be corrupted by having cameras in the courtroom. Victims are hesitant enough when testifying in front of a small crowd, but their knowledge that every word is being sent to countless homes would increase the likelihood that they would simply refuse to testify. There is little to no assumed innocence for the accused when their trial is put on television. People do not watch court television because they are concerned about our country’s ability to effectively carry out the proceedings of the judicial system; instead, they are looking for the drama in witness testimony: entertainment. Thus, leave the cameras out of the courtrooms, and let the public view sitcom drama based off of the legal system.