Focus on an issue that impacts a community to which you belong (school, family, church, sports team,
student organization etc.); then, propose a course of action or a change of attitude that can address the
issue and create a positive outcome. This essay is worth 150 points.
In your argument, address the following:
• Facts: What happened? Why is the issue important? Using what you know about narrative and
illustration, provide factual information about the issue and explain its relevance to the
community of your choice.
• Definition: What exactly is the issue? To what category does it belong? In what ways is it similar
or different from other issues in the same category? Using what you know about creating a
definition, provide a framework for understanding the issue.
• Quality: Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Using what you know about comparison and contrast,
articulate two divergent perspectives on the issue and take a side.
• Change: What should be done? Based on the perspective you support, propose a specific
change. Using what you know about cause and effect, explain why that change will lead to
positive outcomes while lack of change will lead to negative outcomes.