Question

Educators and parents debate the possibility of allowing cell phones in classrooms during school hours. Educators believe that allowing phones, especially more advanced models, in class would be too distracting for most students. Many also state that it would be too tempting for students to cheat, especially with increased pressure for higher grades and test scores. However, parents argue that they need to be able to reach their children in emergency situations. In your opinion, should cell phones be banned in classrooms? In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Answer 1

To approach an essay question like this one, you need to identify the issue (cell phone use in the classroom) and then decide which side you agree with. The next step is to consider the reasons why you agree with that side. Those reasons become the body paragraphs of your paper. For each paragraph, write the reason as a topic sentence. Then explain that point, including specific examples that support your position, before concluding that point and moving on to the next reason in a new paragraph. Make sure you include a proper introductory paragraph that introduces your topic and states your position and a concluding paragraph that summarizes your argument.