In the fast-paced world of television today, shows come and go before people even know they are on the air. Reality shows have become some of the most popular shows on TV, because they are cheap to produce, and can be filmed very quickly. What most people do not realize is that these shows offer very little actual reality to the viewer.
Reality shows, otherwise known as ‘unscripted television’, show beautiful people doing incredible things. What most people don’t realize is that these people were carefully chosen based on their looks, personality, and how they fit into the producer’s vision of the show. Think about it, when was the last time an ugly, out-of-shape person won on Fear Factor?
Another reason reality shows do not deserve the name is because there is very little reality going on when they are filmed. At any given time on Survivor, each contestant is being followed by at least one camera operator, sound and lighting technicians, and the director. Also, people’s reactions are being filmed around the clock, so for a one hour episode of Survivor, there is approximately 72 hours of film for each contestant covering three days of filming. The director can pick and choose which footage to use to show the person acting a certain way. How real is that?
These shows are also carefully scripted by writers who plan out everything that will happen, even down to the reaction of the people in the shows. Sometimes they even have multiple takes to capture a scene or an event perfectly. Just look at the blooper reels at the end of many shows, such as The Bachelor, that show mistakes like people falling down, or messing up their lines.
So, reality shows are not quite the real-life programs the producers would have viewers believe. The contestants are hand-picked, there are all kinds of behind-the-scenes activity, and their plots are actually written out beforehand. In addition, people always act differently when they know they are on camera. Why would contestants on so-called reality shows be any different?
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Write your series of paragraphs on the lines provided on the following two pages.
Rough Notes
Use the space below for rough notes. Nothing you write in this space will be scored.
Task: Write a minimum of three paragraphs expressing an opinion on the topic below. Develop your main idea with supporting details (proof, facts, examples, etc.).
Purpose and
Audience: An adult who is interested in your opinion.
Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate length of the writing expected.
Topic: Should all students have to wear school uniforms?
Yes No
Looks professional Looks stupid, kids get made fun of
More respect from students No individuality; lack of uniqueness
Convenient, no planning needed
Uniforms are expensive, kids still have to buy more clothes
School is for academics, not style Students still competitive: hair, shoes
All students wearing same thing, so no competition Kids are being taught that stealing is okay.
Uniforms are inexpensive
STEP 1: Make a chart outlining differences between the sides.
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STEP 2: Write out a Series of Paragraphs based on your chart.
Students should wear uniforms to school
Many people today say that school has become a more violent place because there are so many gangs that identify themselves by what they wear. This problem would stop if only all schools adopted a uniform for their students to wear. This uniform would make the kids look more professional, allow them to focus on academics, and are less expensive than most name-brand clothes.
One reason schools should have uniforms is because it would make the students look more professional. Young people need to start learning how to dress appropriately in the workplace, and having them wear proper uniforms would be a good step toward teaching them how proper clothes should be worn.
Another reason uniforms are good is because school is a place for learning, not a fashion show. Many kids seem to feel that it’s more important to look good, when the real purpose of going to school is to get an education. Name-brand clothes only distract kids from their studies, and if everyone only had to worry about one thing to wear every day, it would be easier to focus on work.
Uniforms are less expensive than most name-brand labels in stores today, which come in and go out of style quickly. People only need to buy a couple pairs of pants, two or three shirts, and they are good for the year. Uniforms are of a good quality, and will last as long as the person can fit into them.
Finally, if uniforms were adopted at all schools, there would be less competition between students, resulting in less fights, judging of others based on wealth, and everyone could focus on their studies, which is the whole purpose of going to school.
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Writing a Series of Paragraphs
Task: Write a minimum of three paragraphs expressing an opinion on the
topic below. Develop your main idea with supporting details (proof, facts, examples, etc.).
Purpose
and Audience: an adult who is interested in your opinion
Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate
length of the writing expected.
Topic: Should 16 year olds be allowed to get tattoos without parental consent?
Write your series of paragraphs on the lines provided on the following two pages.
Rough Notes
Use the space below for rough notes. Nothing you write in this space will be scored.
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Writing a Series of Paragraphs
Task: Write a minimum of three paragraphs expressing an opinion on the
topic below. Develop your main idea with supporting details (proof, facts, examples, etc.).
Purpose
and Audience: an adult who is interested in your opinion
Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate
length of the writing expected.
Topic: Should School cafeterias be banned from serving foods high in trans-fats, sugar and calories?
Write your series of paragraphs on the lines provided on the following two pages.
Rough Notes
Use the space below for rough notes. Nothing you write in this space will be scored.
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Writing a Series of Paragraphs
Task: Write a minimum of three paragraphs expressing an opinion on the
topic below. Develop your main idea with supporting details (proof, facts, examples, etc.).
Purpose
and Audience: an adult who is interested in your opinion
Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate
length of the writing expected.
Topic: Should the provincial government ban soft drink vending machines in Secondary
schools?
Write your series of paragraphs on the lines provided on the following two pages.
Rough Notes
Use the space below for rough notes. Nothing you write in this space will be scored.