This is the lowest scoring argument essay ever. One of the strange things about this prompt is that it basically forces you into a position where you pretty much have to use personal or hypothetical evidence, which are some of the weakest types.
There are ways around doing so. For example, if you can remember some of the works we read in the linguistics unit, they can help. Tannen’sYou’re Wearing That, for instance, with its discussion of message and metamessage, the interactions between mothers and daughters, (you’re going to slice the tomatoes?) could be useful. Spiegel might also be helpful (remember Pennebaker’s study on function words or the use of “I” in e-mails?).
In addition, if you know anything about other cultures, you might be able to use those. For instance, some languages have a formal and informal version of some words, some, like Japanese, have very strict cultural norms about initial interactions when you meet someone, etc.
But you may really be forced to use personal or general/hypothetical evidence. To help bolster your argument, I’d try to give it a clear focus. Here’s where that ladder of abstraction becomes useful. For example, I’d start with “polite speech” in the middle.
5 ______
4 ______
3 Polite Speech
2 ______
1 ______
These are both valid responses. Now you have a focus for your essay, and a place to start. Alternate theses might look like this:
Version #1: Polite speech, although it can seem superficial and unimportant, actually plays a significant role in making sure American society runs smoothly.
Version #2: Polite speech is often based on dishonesty, and the social pressure to respond to questions like “How are you?” with “Fine” regardless of how one is really feeling is a symptom of a larger societal problem; Americans are becoming more and more disconnected from those around them, often sacrificing meaningful connectionsfor fake, surface-level interactions.
This is an oddball prompt because it asks you to write an editorial. Don’t let this throw you! It is still and argument essay. We’ve seen other prompts where you are asked to do things like this (write a letter to the school board, etc.). If you want to add some stylistic flare to it, and really write in the form of an editorial, fine. If it freaks you out, or you don’t really know the conventions of an editorial, don’t stress! Just write a straightforward argument essay. It will score just fine. If you do really get into it and make it look like an editorial, just remember, you need a clear thesis and specific examples.
This one asks you to develop a position one “the issues raised in this news story.” There are multiple issues you can choose from: general decline in integrity, those with integrity not being supported, cheating or plagiarism in general, lack of responsibility or accountability, etc. You can reference the passage, but you do still need to draw in evidence from outside the prompt.
Try to think of current events that are relevant. Do you know anything about the corporate world or politics? The Panama Papers, the Volkswagon emissions rigging scandal, Enron, the problems some high profile Ivy League schools have been having with academic dishonesty, etc. would all work well. Edward Snowden might even come in.
You can also think a bit more personally in this prompt as well. You are a student in high school, after all. The moodle scandal could be helpful. Our recent discussion about cheating during the philosophical chairs day might come in handy. Etc.
Hypothetical discussions of what this incident has taught the cheating students, or what it could encourage down the line can also be useful. Just try to be specific and attach your hypothetical examples to something concrete, if you can.
Possible Thesis: As the events in Piper, Kansas illustrate, people seem more and more willing to excuse lapses in integrity today. Unfortunately, Americans are not just taking a more forgiving approach to cheating in school. They are increasingly tolerant of a lack of integrity in the corporate and political worlds as well.