Persuasive Writing

EDUCATION

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In order to save money, your principal is thinking about canceling all field trips for the remainder of the year. Write an essay persuading him or her to allow students to continue attending field trips. Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.

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Many junior high and high schools around the country now require students to spend a certain number of hours each term doing volunteer work or community service. Some people believe this is an excellent idea that promotes good citizenship and cultivates compassion. Others feel that forced volunteerism is not volunteerism at all. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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All-girl schools have been gaining popularity in recent years because of the belief that girls learn better when they aren't

competing with or intimidated by boys, who statistically get more attention in the classroom. Do you think single-sex schools are a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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As part of the "war on drugs" and in reaction to an increase in school violence, many schools across the nation now conduct targeted searches of student lockers and backpacks. Although the Supreme Court has ruled that public school officials have the right to search students' persons and property when they have reasonable cause to suspect weapons or drugs, many people feel this is a gross violation of students' right to privacy. Others feel that since school officials are responsible for the well-being of students while they are in the building, they have the right to search for drugs or weapons at any time. How do you feel about this issue? State your position and explain your reasons with specific examples.

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Is there a book that you feel should be required reading for everyone? Write an essay persuading your audience to read this book.

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Some people go right on to college after high school; others take a year or more off to work or travel. Which do you think is the better choice? State your position and support it with specific reasons and examples.

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Some educators argue that every child in every school should have access to computers. Others believe that the value of computers in the classroom is overrated and that computers may actually interfere with the learning process. In your opinion, how important are computers in the classroom? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

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Some people believe that students aren't learning enough in high school. Should school standards be higher? Explain your answer using specific reasons and examples.

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It has often been said, "Ignorance is bliss," and "What you don't know won't hurt you." Do you agree with these statements? Why or why not?

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Many schools employ security guards and have installed security equipment such as video cameras and metal detectors in the building. In your opinion, how should security in public schools be handled? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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In a small minority of schools across the nation, students do not earn grades; rather, they receive regular written and oral evaluations of their work. Some people believe that this is more effective for learning than the grading system, which they believe rewards students unevenly and encourages a competitiveness that is counterproductive to learning. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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Is reading fiction a waste of time? Why or why not? Explain your answer using specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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Many schools offer students who are native speakers of another language the opportunity to take classes in their native tongue so that they can more easily assimilate and better understand the material. Some educators believe that this is a

disservice and that these students should be immersed in the English language. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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Elementary and secondary schools around the country are beginning to actively address the problem of bullies. In your opinion, is bullying an issue that should be addressed by schools or left to parents? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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Most private schools require students to wear uniforms. Should public school students wear uniforms too? Argue for or against school uniforms for public school students. Use specific reasonsand examples to support your position.

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In order to solve your school's recent litter problem, your principal asked students to take better care of the campus, but the litter problem continued. Your principal's reaction is to cancel all extracurricular activities until the problem is resolved. Do you agree or disagree with his reaction? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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If an alumnus donated a large sum of money to your school, how do you think that money should be spent? Write an essay convincing school officials to allocate the money in the way you think is best for the school.

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Most students enjoy the long stretch of summer vacation, but some parents and educators feel that two and a half months is too long a break from school. Some argue that students and families would be better served if the school year were extended through July, with a three or four-week break in August, a longer winter break, and a week off each in the spring and fall. Does this sound like a good idea to you? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

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It has often been said, "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." Do you agree? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

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Recent studies have shown that students often perform better on exams if classical music is played softly in the background. However, some students may find the music distracting. Should schools play classical music during exams and/or allow students to listen to it on headphones? Take a position and explain your answer.

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Most schools require students to read "old" texts such as ancient Greek tragedies or Shakespearian plays. Many students wonder why they should read these texts instead of more contemporary material. Make a case for or against the reading of classical literature in English classes.

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Students who don't want to do their homework can find dozens of sites on the Internet that offer essays for sale. Do you think this is a legitimate business, or should these enterprises be shut down? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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Do you think the SAT or ACT exam is an accurate measure of a student's aptitude for college? Support your position with specific examples.

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Many students complain about having to learn history. Why do we need knowledge of the past? Write an essay convincing skeptics that learning about the past is important.

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For decades, elementary school children across the country had been required to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag every school-day morning. That practice has recently been called into question, and standing and reciting the pledge is now voluntary. In your opinion, should students be required to say the pledge, should it remain voluntary, or should the practice be completely abandoned? State your position and use specific reasons and examples to support it.

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Write an essay explaining why you should be admitted to a particular college.

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If your readers were to learn a foreign language, which language do you think they should learn, and why? Write an essay convincing readers to learn that particular language.

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Are students learning enough science in high school? Argue for or against an expanded science requirement in secondary schools.

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According to an old Greek proverb, "All things good to know are difficult to learn." Do you agree? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

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Imagine that your high school (or alma mater) has decided to do away with a club to which you belong (or used to belong). Write an essay persuading school officials not to disband that organization.

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"Original" fairy tales, like those recorded by the Brothers Grimm, often contain violence. Some literary critics and child psychologists believe these tales are good for children because they address children's real fears, feelings, and desires. Others argue that contemporary "sanitized" fairy tales still convey the main themes of the tales and are far more appropriate for children. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

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Most high school schedules include a study hall period several times a week. Is study hall a waste of time, or a necessary break from class? State your position and use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

MONEY & BUSINESS

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Today's top professional athletes often have salaries and bonuses in the tens of millions of dollars. Do you think these athletes deserve such high compensation? Why or why not? Explain your position and use specific reasons and examples.

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Although foreign aid spending is typically only a very small portion of our annual budget (currently about .1% of the Gross National Product), the United States still spends billions of dollars a year on foreign aid. Some people feel this is too much and that we should spend nearly all of our money addressing problems here at home. Others feel it is not nearly enough and that we should spend a great deal more helping other nations. How do you feel about this issue? Explain what you think we should do and why.

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Many people feel that American society is too competitive. Do you agree? If so, is this a good thing or a bad thing? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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Alexander Smith said, "The great man is the man who does a thing for the first time." Do you agree with this definition of greatness? Why or why not?

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Currently, Americans pay taxes based upon how much they earn: the higher their income, the higher the percentage of that income they must pay in taxes. Many people have been arguing that a flat tax, in which everyone pays the same rate regardless of income, would be a more equitable and desirable tax system. Which of these two tax systems do you think is best, and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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The great inventor Charles F. Kettering said, "The price of progress is trouble." Do you agree with Kettering's assessment of progress? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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Should we devote time and money to building a space station on the moon or Mars? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

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Should people lease or buy new cars? Make a case for the option that you think is best. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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The inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin said, "Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness." Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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Imagine that you have made it to the final round of interviews for a new job. Convince your prospective employers that you are the one who most deserves the position.

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Imagine that you have a friend who doesn't have any money in his or her savings account. Convince this friend that it's important to create and follow through with a savings plan.

PWWP-88

Is there something that you believe is truly worth fighting for? Write an essay persuading others that this cause is worth a fight.

PWWP-89

Imagine that you have been asked to help raise money for a local charity. Choose a charity and write an essay convincing readers to contribute to the fundraising campaign.

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The Roman leader Seneca said, "A great fortune is a great slavery." Do you agree with this claim? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Many people believe that television violence has a negative effect on society because it promotes violence. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.

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Research shows that the average American watches as much as six hours of television each day. Do you think this is too much? Write an essay convincing readers to spend less time in front of the TV.

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We all have favorite activities that we enjoy. Write an essay convincing readers to try the activity that you enjoy most.

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On today's talk shows, guests and audience members often argue heatedly with each other, and on more than one occasion, guests and audience members have been hurt. Do today's talk shows go too far? Explain your answer.

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What is your all-time favorite movie and why? Write an essay persuading readers to watch this film.

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Today, there are more and more reality shows on television. Do these shows make good television? Why or why not? Explain your answer using specific reasons and examples.

PWWP-39

Do you think that the movie and/or TV ratings systems are effective or useful? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

PWWP-40

The network that runs your favorite television show has suddenly decided to cancel it. Write a letter convincing the station to

continue running the show.

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Many people complain that American news shows focus too much on sensational items, such as local crimes and celebrity gossip, and spend too little time on important national and international news. In your opinion, should television news devote more time and coverage to international news and global issues? Why or why not?

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Many of us are fond of music that speaks to our particular generation. Write an essay that convinces others not in your generation that your music is worth listening to.

PWWP-43

Many albums and CDs now contain stickers warning parents that the lyrics of some of the songs may not be suitable for children. Some people argue that simply putting a sticker on a label is not enough. What do you think the record industry should do to warn parents about inappropriate lyrics? Explain what you think should be done and why.

ANIMALS

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Is there something that you believe is truly worth fighting for? Write an essay persuading others that this cause is worth a fight.

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Imagine that you have found a great apartment to share, but your new roommate doesn't want any pets. Write an essay persuading your roommate to let you bring your pet with you.

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William Hazlitt wrote, "Man is a make-believe animal-he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part." Do you agree? Explain your answer using specific reasons and examples.

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Some people fish to eat what they catch; others fish simply for the "sport," returning the fish to the water after they've caught it. Many animal rights activists argue that sport fishing is cruel and should be abolished. How do you feel about this issue? State your position and support it with specific reasons and examples.

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Medical researchers, cosmetic companies, and others often perform experiments on animals. Many people feel that experimentation on animals is wrong and should be stopped immediately because animals do feel pain, and there are other alternatives. How do you feel? State your position and explain your reasons.

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Every year, millions of people visit zoos around the world. But some people believe that zoos are inhumane and that animals should not be kept in captivity. Do you agree? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

FAMILY

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Many parents do not allow their children to play with toy guns. In your opinion, is this a wise decision? Explain what you think parents should do about toy guns and why.

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Some companies offer a paternity leave that allows fathers to stay home with their newborns for several weeks while still earning partial pay and benefits. Do you think this is a good policy? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

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A few decades ago, many families had half a dozen or more children. Nowadays, more and more families are choosing to have only one or two children. Are smaller families better than larger ones? Why or why not? State your position and support it with specific reasons and examples.

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Many parents give children a weekly or monthly allowance regardless of their behavior because they believe an allowance teaches children to be financially responsible. Other parents only give children an allowance as a reward for completing chores or when they have behaved properly. Explain what you think parents should do and why.

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Some people prefer to live in the quiet of the country; others prefer the hustle and bustle of the city. Which do you think is the better choice? State your position and support it with specific reasons and examples.

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Some people think of the United States as a nation of "couch potatoes." Write an essay persuading readers to be more physically active.

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Many science fiction stories deal with the possibility of being able to "design" our children by choosing the specific physical and personality traits we would like them to have. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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Many people immigrate to the United States because they believe that it is better than their native country. In fact, many people believe that the United States is the best country in the world. Do you agree? Why or why not?

PWWP-58

Should a parent be a child's disciplinarian, or a child's best friend? Take a position and explain your answer using specific reasons and examples.

COMPUTERS

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The Internet includes many websites with images and content that are inappropriate. Should websites like these be censored by parents? Why or why not? State your position and support it with specific reasons and examples.

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Write an essay convincing readers to break a specific habit that is harmful to their physical, emotional, or financial health.

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Many of us spend hours in front of our computers and communicate more by e-mail or instant-messaging than in person. Some people believe that this is good because it helps shy people communicate more openly with others. Others believe that computer communication prevents us from developing interpersonal skills and limits our ability to have meaningful relationships with others. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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The poet W. H. Auden wrote, "Machines are beneficial to the degree that they eliminate the need for labor, harmful to the degree that they eliminate the need for skill." Do you agree? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

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Imagine that you have a relative who is unfamiliar with computers and has never been on the Internet. Write an essay convincing this relative to get a computer and get online.

SCIENCE & HEALTH

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If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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Since the cloning of the sheep Dolly, there has been much debate over whether or not human beings should be cloned. Many people feel this is a violation of the natural order of things and that all research in the area of human cloning should be banned. Others feel that this is a natural progression of science and human evolution and that research in the area of human cloning should be a priority. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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According to some health organizations, many foods on our grocery store shelves are made with genetically modified ingredients. Most of these foods, however, do not have a GMO (genetically modified organism) label. Do you think there should be a law requiring manufacturers to label foods containing GMOs? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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More and more farmers and food manufacturers are genetically modifying their crops to reduce susceptibility to disease, improve flavor, and reduce costs. Do you think genetically modifying foods is a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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For centuries, people have wondered about the possibility of life on other planets in the universe. Do you believe extraterrestrial life exists? Write an essay persuading others to share your point of view.

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If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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Should the United States invest more time, money, and effort in space exploration? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.

PWWP-73

If it were up to you to choose one item from the twenty-first century to place in a time capsule for future generations, what would you choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice, explaining both the item's significance and the reasons why it embodies the culture of the early twenty-first century.

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More and more Americans are deciding to eliminate meat from their diets and become vegetarians. Do you think this is a good idea? Argue for or against becoming a vegetarian. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

PWWP-75

Should we devote time and money to building a space station on the moon or Mars? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

PWWP-76

Write an essay convincing your best friend to try your favorite brand of junk food.

POLICY & POLITICS

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Is "an eye for an eye" a good basis for determining an appropriate punishment? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.

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You have been asked to write a brochure to attract visitors to your hometown. Write an essay that convinces people to visit the place where you live.

PWWP-93

Many states have increased the speed limit from 55 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour or more on major turnpikes and thruways. Do you think it is wise to allow motorists to drive over 65 miles per hour? Why or why not? Explain your position using specific reasons and examples.

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Nowadays, the private life of a politician is hardly private. In your opinion, should we be so concerned with the private affairs of a politician or political candidate? State your position and support it with specific reasons and examples.

PWWP-95

Many cities suffer from serious air and noise pollution-as well as endless traffic jams-because of too many cars. Some people feel that cities with extensive public transportation systems should ban passenger cars and force people to walk, bike, or use public transportation. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?

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Across the country, public places such as libraries and museums are now smoke-free environments, and restaurants are

required to have separate smoking and non-smoking sections. Some smokefree advocates are now campaigning to ban

smoking in all restaurants and bars. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to

support your position.

PWWP-97

Who makes a better leader: someone who is loved, or someone who is feared? Take a position and explain your answer.

PWWP-98

Carpooling, recycling, and planting trees are all activities that are good for the environment. Write an essay convincing readers to actively participate in one of these activities.

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PWWP-100

Many people believe that honesty is the best policy. In your opinion, is it ever okay to lie? Explain your answer using specific reasons and examples.

PWWP-102

What would improve your hometown? Write an essay convincing town officials to make a change that would improve your neighborhood.

PWWP-103

All across the country, state laws require drivers to wear seatbelts. Not everyone believes the use of seatbelts should be mandatory. What do you think? Make a case for or against mandatory seatbelt use. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.