Reading Source (article): Too Old to Drive?Author: Debora Vrana (woman) Writing Prompt: Should there be a maximum driving age? Describe TWO benefits (or detriments) of implementing a maximum driving age. Writing Requirements: Write a 4-paragraph argument essay which follows the organizational structure shown below.
(1) Paragraph 1 (Introductory Paragraph)
In this paragraph, you should give the title of the article, the author’s name, and a 4-6 sentence summary of the MAIN IDEAS of the article. Do NOT give any specific details (statistics, examples, paraphrases, facts, or direct quotes). Your introduction should also include your THESIS STATEMENT which addresses the test prompt shown above. Be sure to underline this thesis statement. If you desire, you may begin this paragraph with a hook sentence. However, this is not required. (2) Body Paragraph 1: Using the assigned article (reading) for support
In this paragraph, you should begin with a clear topic sentence with a controlling idea. Remember, this is your FIRST REASON which supports your thesis statement. Be sure to follow the sentence structure of a topic sentence as discussed in the online Student Forum. You need to support the argument presented in your topic sentence with INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE. This support should use at least two of the following supporting methods: examples (NOT personal), statistics, facts, paraphrases, and “direct quotes”. Be sure to conclude your body paragraph with a concluding sentence which expresses the SAME IDEA as seen in the topic sentence. One benefit of implementing a maximum driving age is that would lower the risk of traffic accident. Generally, elderly drivers may cause much more traffic accidents. For instances, In 2003, a 70-year-old man drove into booths at a farmers market in Florida, and six people were injured. This elderly driver make this traffic accident happened directly, and he has the main responsibility for this accident. Besides, Vrana mentioned the Florida study in 2002 showed that a sharply higher risk was posed by people who were older than 85. The death rate per mile traveled for drivers of 30-59 age group is four times less than that of over 85. An inordinate number of rear-end and left-hand turn accidents result from the wrong speed and distance judgment of senior drivers. As a result, traffic accidents will decrease by implementing the maximum driving age. Thus, one benefit of implementing a maximum driving age is that would lower the risk of traffic accident. (3) Body Paragraph 2: Using critical thinking skills for support
In this paragraph, you should begin with a clear topic sentence with a controlling idea. Remember, this is your SECOND REASON which supports your thesis statement. Be sure to follow the sentence structure of a topic sentence as discussed in the online Student Forum. You need to support the argument presented in your topic sentence with YOUR OWN IDEA, meaning you should NOT use any information from the article. Ask yourself, “What is another reason NOT MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE that supports my opinion?” This support should use at least one of the following supporting methods: examples (NOT personal) and/or facts (common knowledge), Be sure to conclude your body paragraph with a concluding sentence which expresses the SAME IDEA as seen in the topic sentence. Another benefit of implementing maximum driving age is ensuring safety of the elderly from traffic accident. In facts, older people have relatively long response time than young people in most cognitive tasks, according to Gail McKoon. In his study in Northwestern University, Gail experimented two signal detection tasks, which demonstrated that older subjects were generally slower than young subjects due to elderly people’s physical status. When emergency situation happens, elderly drivers will have longer reaction time than young drivers, which may leads to fatal traffic accident. Nowadays, it becomes more difficult to drive, even for young people, because of more traffic and faster speeds. Therefore, it is necessary to implement maximum driving age.
(4) Concluding Paragraph
Conclude your essay with the 5-step concluding paragraph. Step 1: Begin with a concluding transition, followed by a comma. Step 2: Restate your thesis statement IN NEW WORDS. Step 3: Summarize the MAIN POINTS of your body paragraphs. Hint! Look at the topic sentences of your body paragraphs to see what the main ideas are. Be sure to give the first reason. Then you will briefly explain what it means. Next, give the second reason. Then, again, briefly explain what it means. Do NOT simply “list” your reasons here. Instead, summarize them. Step 4: Remind your reader what your argument is –or- present a solution to the problem. Step 5: Do NOT include any new ideas.
That’s it! If you follow this organizational structure, you will have written a decent essay. Of course, you still need good grammar and vocabulary. Regarding vocabulary, you are strongly encouraged to use some of the vocabulary shown here in your essay.
senior citizen (v)the elderly (n)elderly (adj.)mobility (n) Baby Boomer (n)geriatric (adj.)dementia (n)safety (n) clog (v)peripheral vision (n)inordinate (adj.)collision (n) self-regulate (v)relinquish (v)frail (adj.)independence (n) gauge (v)restrict (v)screen (v)accelerate (v)
Topic Sentence Note! Do NOT simply put a noun directly after the main verb “be” in your topic sentence. Instead, put a complete sentence after the verb “be” so that you have a topic sentence with a clear controlling idea (focus). Bad Topic Sentence: One benefit of being enrolled in an online course is flexibility. Good Topic Sentence: One benefit of being enrolled in an online course is an employed student has the flexibility to maintain a job while earning a college degree.