Awa practise 1 doc

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Awa practise 1 doc

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7. The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a local newspaper. We can all do something to improve the economy: Support our local small business owners. Instead of going to a big chain store to buy your coffee, office supplies, or toothpaste and shampoo, shop at your local coffee shop, stationery store, or pharmacy. Big chain stores have forced thousands of smaller stores out of business, increasing unemployment and weakening the economy. They don’t deserve our patronage. Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your essay, be sure to analyze the argument’s logic and use of evidence. For example, you may need to consider whether the assumptions that underlie the argument are sound or whether counterarguments or alternative explanations would weaken the conclusion. You may also discuss the kind of evidence that would strengthen or refute the argument, what revisions to the argument would make it more reasonable, or what information, if any, would help you better evaluate the argument. Complete your essay in 30 minutes. – AWA PRACTICE– 288 8. The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a business magazine. Some people feel that businesses should aim to create a more egalitarian office environment by giving everyone equal-sized office space, for example, and seeking input from even the very lowest-level employ- ees. But businesses are built upon and thrive on hierarchy. People who think a workplace can be egalitarian are simply fooling themselves. Hierarchy should be acknowledged and reinforced in the business environment. Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your essay, be sure to analyze the argument’s logic and use of evidence. For example, you may need to consider whether the assumptions that underlie the argument are sound or whether counterarguments or alternative explanations would weaken the conclusion. You may also discuss the kind of evidence that would strengthen or refute the argument, what revisions to the argument would make it more reasonable, or what information, if any, would help you better evaluate the argument. Complete your essay in 30 minutes. – AWA PRACTICE– 289 9. The following was proposed by a husband to his wife. Our neighbors, the Hansons, got a phonics program for their son Jimmy, and he was reading by age four. If we get a phonics program for Junior, he will also be able to read by age four. Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your essay, be sure to analyze the argument’s logic and use of evidence. For example, you may need to consider whether the assumptions that underlie the argument are sound or whether counterarguments or alternative explanations would weaken the conclusion. You may also discuss the kind of evidence that would strengthen or refute the argument, what revisions to the argument would make it more reasonable, or what information, if any, would help you better evaluate the argument. Complete your essay in 30 minutes. – AWA PRACTICE– 290 10. The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a city newspaper. The philosopher George Santayana once wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” We should place a greater emphasis on learning history in school so that our future citizens do not make the same mistakes that have been made in the past. Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your essay, be sure to analyze the argument’s logic and use of evidence. For example, you may need to consider whether the assumptions that underlie the argument are sound or whether counterarguments or alternative explanations would weaken the conclusion. You may also discuss the kind of evidence that would strengthen or refute the argument, what revisions to the argument would make it more reasonable, or what information, if any, would help you better evaluate the argument. Complete your essay in 30 minutes. – AWA PRACTICE– 291  Answers and Explanations Here are sample essays for ten of the practice prompts (five Analysis of an Issue prompts and five Analysis of an Argument prompts). These ten essays would receive the top score of 6 because they have most or all of the following characteristics: – AWA PRACTICE– 292 The content of your written response shows an under- standing and inter- pretation of the issue or argument and the task pre- sented in the prompt. The development of your written response gives a clear and logical explanation of ideas using specific and relevant support. The organization of your written response shows a coherent, orderly, well-reasoned approach. The expression of your ideas reflects an awareness of audience, a com- mand of vocabulary and sentence struc- ture, and an ability to use language to convey purpose. The use of standard English in your writ- ten response exhibits the correct use of spelling, punctuation, para- graph organization, capitalization, and grammar. ■ Forms a thesis statement that reveals an in- depth under- standing of the issue or argu- ment ■ Presents a sophisticated and insightful analysis of the issue or argu- ment ■ Develops ideas clearly and fully ■ Provides a wide range of relevant and specific evi- dence to support the thesis state- ment ■ Maintains the focus of the thesis statement ■ Uses a logical and coherent structure ■ Applies skillful writing devices and transitions ■ Exhibits a mature, sophisticated use of language that is precise and engaging ■ Has a voice and a sense of aware- ness of audience and purpose ■ Varies the struc- ture and length of sentences to enhance meaning ■ Shows control of the conventions of standard Eng- lish ■ Has few, if any, errors even when using sophisti- cated language CONTENT DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION EXPRESSION CONVENTIONS The following sample essays are correct in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. Remember, however, that you can have a few mistakes and still score a 6. Analysis of an Issue Sample Essays Prompt #2: The main goal of education should be to teach students to be good citizens, not to prepare them for the workplace. Does a country need good citizens? Certainly, it does. But should the main goal of education be to teach students to be good citizens? No. While nurturing good citizens should be a primary goal, it should not be more important than preparing students for the workforce. Upon graduation, most students head out into the workforce. At this crucial moment in their lives, what is more important: their citizenship or their ability to become gainfully employed? As important as good cit- izenship is, it does not pay the bills, and a society full of citizens who cannot support themselves will have many serious problems. Indeed, preparing young people for the workplace by providing them with analytical and technical skills is essential for economic growth. Today more than ever, economic success is created and maintained by indi- viduals who can run small businesses, make scientific advances, manage information, and labor in increas- ingly technical manufacturing settings. A country of good citizens who lack the skills necessary to maintain a stable economy will struggle financially and, therefore, socially and politically. How will the government fund programs and provide necessary services to its citizens? How much will those good citizens suffer if the country cannot support itself or has to compete with other countries for resources? How would it defend itself in a time of war without a prepared, well-funded military? However, this does not mean that education should focus primarily on workforce preparation. Eco- nomic stability is not the only factor in a society’s success. For people to want to live and work in a society, they must learn about and value the core beliefs of that society. Likewise, they must understand and partic- ipate in the workings of that society. They must also respect and value their fellow citizens and their envi- ronment. They must, in short, be good citizens, and it should be the duty of our schools to teach them how to be. In the United States of America, for example, children are taught the Pledge of Allegiance from the ear- liest days of kindergarten; they are taught to respect the flag and all that it stands for. In later grades, those children learn about the U.S. government, election processes, legal system, and tax system. This knowledge will help to create good citizens who can serve on a jury or in the military, understand their duty to pay taxes, vote to elect officials, and develop projects and programs that support and improve their communities. For the United States to maintain its success and achieve its goals in technological growth, space travel, military operations, environmental issues, and hundreds of other areas, we need educated citizens who are well prepared for the workplace. A thriving, skilled workforce bolsters the economy and keeps money circu- lating — money that funds our government through taxes. Without financially successful citizens, the coun- try’s sources of revenue would soon diminish. Thus, the main goal of education should not be primarily to prepare students for the workforce or teach them to be good citizens but rather to prepare students for the workforce while teaching them to be good cit- izens. To continue to succeed in our increasingly global world, to maintain our country’s standard of living, and to keep America a place where people want to live and work, our schools must prepare good citizens and educated workers. – AWA PRACTICE– 293 . if any, would help you better evaluate the argument. Complete your essay in 30 minutes. – AWA PRACTICE– 290 10 . The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a city newspaper. The philosopher. if any, would help you better evaluate the argument. Complete your essay in 30 minutes. – AWA PRACTICE– 2 91  Answers and Explanations Here are sample essays for ten of the practice prompts (five. information, if any, would help you better evaluate the argument. Complete your essay in 30 minutes. – AWA PRACTICE– 288 8. The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a business magazine. Some

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