<p>I'm taking the ACT tomorrow, so I just took a practice test. Can you grade my essay for me? I'm used to writing persuasive SAT essays, so I really have no idea how I did on this one. Thanks!</p>
<p>Here's the prompt: In some high schools, students are required to complete a certain number of community service hours prior to graduation. Some people think community service is a good requirement because they think students will benefit from this experience. Other people think schools should not require community service because students will resent the requirement and, as a result, will not benefit from the experience. In your opinion, should high schools require students to complete a certain number of hours of community service?
In your essay, take a position on the question. You may write about either one 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.</p>
<p>My essay:</p>
<p>Students should be required to complete a certain number of community service hours prior to graduation for both their own benefit and the social benefit of their communities. Participating in community service activities can broaden students' awareness about the problems and needs in their communities, as well as empower them to help with these issues and make a difference. The great potential societal benefit should be considered as well; if every high school student had to contribute to his or her community, society could potentially thrive from students' combined efforts and assistance.</p>
<p>Schools should require community service because students otherwise may not take the time or effort to become involved. This is not necessarily because they are selfish kids; rather, high school students often have such busy schedules that it simply may not occur to them to devote time to community service. For example, in 8th grade I was an active volunteer for an organization that pairs volunteers with disabled children, and teaches the volunteers how to interact with, assist, and play with the children. When I entered high school, my schedule immediately was swamped with challenging classes and homework, an after-school job as a tutor, and extracurricular activities. I stopped volunteering because I had so many other obligations. Then my school implemented a new policy that requires 40 hours of community service before graduation. I adjusted my schedule and set aside 1-2 hours per week to volunteer with the organization I used to be involved with. The requirement encouraged me to put community service back into my schedule, and the satisfaction and sense of self-worth I have derived from it, as well as the benefit it has on the kids I help, has made volunteering worth the time and effort.</p>
<p>It is understandable to argue that a requirement for community service takes away from the spirit of helping out for the sake of helping out. It certainly would be more ideal of students naturally gravitated toward community service. Some do, but many may not even be aware of community service opportunities. Students' ignorance, coupled with an already-hectic schedule, makes it impractical to expect high-schoolers to engage in community service if they are not encouraged by a requirement to do so. There are simply too many other things that students ARE required to do. If requiring community service is not enforced, it will likely take a backseat to students' already-established obligations.</p>
<p>It would be better if students did community service on their own volition. However, it is not realistic to expect this due to students' busy schedules and various other obligations. Hence, a requirement for students to complete community service hours before graduation is vital to the increased benefit of both students and their communities. Schools should implement such policies.</p>