Youth and Violence



"Violence among young people is an aspect of their desire to create.  They don't know how to use their energy creatively, so they do the opposite and destroy."  - Anthony Burgess



It is a commonly held belief that youth violence is an inevitable reality of the world we live in.  A certain amount of youth violence can stem from the exposure to violent acts within the community.  In a world where quite often our daily news is punctuated by stories of hate crimes, tragic school shootings, workplace rampages, and attacks on churches and community centers, it is clear that this is a major issue of concern.



What is your opinion on the Burgess quote?  What do you think causes young people to act violently?  What can be done to curb or eliminate youth violence?



In a well-developed essay, articulate your position on the Anthony Burgess quote on youth and violence.  Include facts, details, and examples to encourage readers to support your position.



As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:



develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.
support your thesis with meaningful reasons and sufficient details.
address the readers' concerns, opposing viewpoint, or counterarguments.
organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.


Use any of the tools available to you, such as the Checklist, Spellchecker, or Graphic Organizer.