We have to do four essays for English class, two written during the midterm exam, and two during the finals. For some odd reason, we write essays 1 and 3 during the midterm and 2 and 4 during the final. Which makes no sense, because suddenly all the accompanying multiple choice questions and such are numbered oddly two. But that's not the point.
To prepare for essay 2, we're doing a practice version in class. What it includes is an article from the Oreganian and a graph, both dealing with volunteering. We have to write an essay as if we were writing for the school paper, trying to convince students to volunteer. What bugs me is that the article does not focus on helping other people. It doesn't talk about saving lives, feeding the hungry, educating the uneducated, and doing good in the world. Instead, it talks fervently about the national trend of more people volunteering. Which in itself isn't bad. The news that the number of 12-17 year old volunteers has grown to 59 percent is fantastic. What I find bad is that the news is used to persuade others to volunteer. It's an attempt to make people volunteer with the philosophy "everyone else is doing it". And no, I'm not paranoid. The article goes as far to say that "6 out of 10 teens said that volunteering was 'in'". That's right, 'in'. Like spring fashion or the newest electronics. It takes the do-gooding out of volunteering and replaces it with a popularity contest.
And the graph. Oh, the graph. It is entitled "benefits gained from teen volunteering." And no, it's not about feeding the homeless. Said benefits inlude "developing new career goals" and "doing better in school". The regents folks are focusing more on the personal gains from volunteering. I always thought it was supposed to be a selfless act. Which is why I'm insulted.
3 comments:
That is totally true! English essays are dumb. They want us to write powerful essays on horrible ideas. All teachers and adults say don't do it because everyone else is, but then they want us to write an essay on how it is right? It makes no sense and I think we should do something!
I totally agree. It is a stupid essay. It is such a self centered article. The only positive part is that it says that people are volunteering. No matter why they are doing it, the point is they are. Whatever it takes to get people to do the right thing, we'll do it, right?
I just wish people were a little less shallow and would do it out of the goodness of their heart and not because it's a trend.
Quite frankly, I'm insulted by this essay. Seriously, who do they think we are? Are we really that selfish? Shouldn't the simple fact that we're helping people be good enough? They expect us to do well in life, then underestimate us with essay topics like this. Talk about mixed messages.
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