Topic: Should students wear school uniforms? Read the essay and answer the questions.
Individualism is a fundamental part of society in many countries. Most people believe in the right to express their own opinion without fear of punishment. This value; however, is coming under fire in unlikely place-the public school classroom. The issue is school uniforms. Should public school students be allowed to make individual decision about clothing, or should all students be required to wear a uniform? School uniforms are the better choice for three reasons.
First, wearing school uniforms would help make students’ lives simpler. They will no longer worry what to wear every morning, and sometimes trying on outfit after outfit in an effort to choose. Uniform would not only save time but also would eliminate the stress often associated with this chore.
Second, school uniforms influence students to act responsibly in groups and as individuals. Uniforms give student the message that school is a special place for learning. In addition, uniforms create a feeling of unity among students. For example, when students do something as a group, such as attending meetings in the auditorium or eating lunch in the cafeteria, the fact that they all wear the same uniform gives them a sense of community. Even more important, statistics show the positive effect that school uniform have on violence and truancy. According to a recent survey in a large school district in Florida, incidents of school violence dropped by 50 percent, attendance and test scores improved, and student suspensions declined approximately 30 percent after school uniforms were introduced.
Finally, school uniforms would help make all the students feel equal. Students’ standards of living differ greatly from family to family, and some people are well-off while other are not. Sometimes they forget that school is a place to get an education, not to promote a fashion show. Implementing mandatory school uniforms make all the student look the same regardless of their financial status. School uniforms would promote pride and help to rise the self-esteem of students who cannot afford to wear expensive clothing.
Opponents of mandatory uniforms say that student who wear school uniforms cannot express their individuality. This point has some merit on the surface. However as stated previously, school is a place to learn, not to flaunt wealth and fashion. Society must decide if individual expression through clothing is more valuable than improved educational performance. It is important to remember that school uniforms would be worn only during school hours. Students can express their individuality in the way that they dress outside of the classroom.
In conclusion, there are well – documented benefits of implementing mandatory school uniform for students. Studies show that students learn better and add more responsibly when they wear uniforms. Public schools should require uniforms in order to benefit both the students and society as a whole.
1. What is the hook?
2. What is the thesis?
3. Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 each give a reason for requiring school uniforms. These reasons can be found in the topic sentence of each paragraph. What are the reasons?
-Paragraph 2
-Paragraph 3
-Paragraph 4
4. Which paragraph presents a counterargument?
5. The writer gives a refutation of the counterargument by showing that it is invalid. What is the writer’s refutation?
6. Write the sentence from the concluding paragraph that restates the thesis?
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