Comparing Student Essays

I read the student essays about “The Cost of Healthy Snacking” and “Are We Truly Good People.” Even though they are two completely different topics they both set out on a goal of answering a question. Both articles use real life situations in their exploration of these question. Both also cite outside sources that support their ideas. But a big difference between these two articles, besides for the topics, is that one comes to an answer while the other doesn’t. “The Cost of Healthy Snacking” comes to the conclusion that healthier snacking options range in prices from a few cents to twice the price of your current snack. The essay makes the point that shouldn’t it be worth it to help out your body and give you a better lifestyle. “Are We Truly Good People” never really comes to a complete idea. The essay goes in a circle. Starting by saying what altruism is, to why high school students only try to look good for college or their parents, back to heroes of our time who died to save the lives of others, to talking about religion making people behave properly, and ending with the only reason for donations to charity are for the money and looking good. A lot of ideas! The essay is all over the place and never really settles on a point. Lastly these two topics are different since one actually can be answered and the other is just an opinion. We can go find out exactly how much eating healthier cost but we can’t prove that people are inherently good or bad.