A Sample Essay
Should Smartphones Be Allowed in Schools?
In today's world, it seems like everyone has a smartphone in their pocket,
including many middle schoolers. These powerful little devices can
connect us to friends, information, and entertainment in an instant. But
should they be allowed in school classrooms? While some argue that
phones can be useful learning tools, smartphones should not be allowed in
schools because they are a major distraction, contribute to cyberbullying,
and can widen the gap between students.
First and foremost, the biggest problem with phones in school is how
distracting they are. Imagine trying to focus on a difficult math problem
when your phone buzzes with a new notification. It's almost impossible not
to peek! Students might be checking social media, playing games, or
texting friends instead of listening to their teachers or working on
assignments. This constant temptation pulls attention away from learning,
making it harder for students to absorb new information and participate in
class discussions. Even if a student tries to hide their phone, the mere
presence of it can divide their attention and hurt their grades.
Secondly, allowing phones in schools opens the door to more
cyberbullying. School should be a safe place for everyone, but
smartphones can make it easier for mean behavior to follow students even
when they're supposed to be learning. Kids can take secret photos, record
videos of others without permission, or send hurtful messages during the
school day. This kind of behavior can make victims feel anxious, sad, and
unsafe at school, which definitely impacts their ability to learn and
enjoy their day. Without phones, it's much harder for cyberbullying to
happen during school hours, helping to keep our classrooms a more positive
environment.
Finally, allowing phones in schools can create unfair differences between
students. Not every student has the latest smartphone, or even a
smartphone at all. When teachers try to use phones for class activities, it
can make students without phones feel left out or embarrassed. It also
means that students who do have phones might rely on them for answers
instead of truly learning the material, while those without might have to
work harder to find information in other ways. School should be about
equal opportunities for everyone, and relying on personal devices can
make the playing field uneven.
In conclusion, while smartphones are a big part of our lives outside of
school, their presence in the classroom brings more problems than
solutions. They cause too many distractions, make it easier for
cyberbullying to occur, and can create an unfair learning environment for
some students. By keeping phones put away during school hours, we can
help students focus better, feel safer, and have a more equal chance to
succeed. Let's make school a place where the main focus is on learning
and growing, not on what's happening on a screen.
14 persuasive essay topics
* Should students have to wear school uniforms?
* Prompt: Convince your principal that students should (or should not)
have to wear school uniforms.
* Why should we have more field trips?
* Prompt: Write to your teacher explaining why having more field trips
would be a great idea for your class.
* Should recess be longer?
* Prompt: Write a letter to your principal explaining why recess should
be longer each day.
* Why should kids help with chores at home?
* Prompt: Convince your parents that kids should (or should not) have to
do chores around the house.
* Is standardized testing an effective measure of student intelligence
and school quality?
* Prompt: Persuade your audience that standardized tests either
accurately reflect (or fail to reflect) students' abilities and a school's
effectiveness.
* Should schools offer more vocational training alongside traditional
academic courses?
* Prompt: Persuade school boards and parents that vocational training
(like culinary arts, welding, or coding) should be integrated more deeply
into the high school curriculum.
* Is space exploration a worthwhile investment for humanity?
* Prompt: Convince your audience that governments and private
companies should (or should not) dedicate significant resources to space
exploration, considering its benefits and costs.
* Should fast food companies be held responsible for the health issues
of their customers?
* Prompt: Argue whether fast food chains should bear some
responsibility for public health problems like obesity and heart disease,
or if it's solely up to individual choice.
* Should high schools implement later start times for students?
* Prompt: Argue whether starting the school day later in the morning
would significantly benefit high school students' academic performance,
health, and well-being.
* Should governments provide free college tuition?
* Prompt: Write an essay convincing readers why higher education
should (or should not) be free for all citizens, considering economic,
social, and individual impacts.
* Are violent video games harmful to teenagers?
* Prompt: Argue whether playing violent video games has a negative
impact on the behavior, mental health, or social development of
teenagers.
* Should animal testing be banned for cosmetic products?
* Prompt: Persuade consumers and lawmakers that using animals to test
the safety of cosmetic products is unethical and should be prohibited.
* Is censorship on the internet justifiable to protect young people?
* Prompt: Convince your audience that certain types of internet content
should (or should not) be restricted or censored to safeguard minors from
harmful material.
* Should communities invest more in public transportation than in
expanding roads?
* Prompt: Argue that prioritizing and funding public transportation
systems (like buses, trains, or trams) over building more roads is a better
long-term solution for urban development and environmental health.
