<p>I believe this essay topic is taken from the October 2009 SAT. Please let me know how I did on a scale of 1-12. Any Feedback and advice on how to improve would be greatly appreciated. <em>I'm copying my essay verbatim so there will probably be a few grammatical errors</em></p>
<p>Prompt: Good news is, for the most part, no news. It is not sufficiently compelling or important to make leading stories and front pages in the media, certainly not as often as bad news. Bad news sells, or so it seems from the books, newspapers, and television reports that fill our lives. But in this endless focus on the bad, the media present a distorted view of the world.</p>
<p>Adapted from Richard B. McKenzie, The Paradox of Progress: Can Americans Regain Their Confidence in a Prosperous Future?</p>
<p>Assignment: Do books, newspapers, and other media focus too much on bad news?</p>
<p>Fear is a driving force that galvanizes people to action. Fear is applied consummately by books, newspaper, and other media in the form of bad news. However, it is this bad news that causes people to take action. Examples of how bad news has been used to stir people and how good news has created pandemonium can be seen in environmental issues and the Vietnam War. </p>
<p>Since the mid-20th century, the environmental movement has come a long way in terms of its success. This success, however, has been based off threats, and imminent disasters. For example, in the '90s Al Gore said that "the current state of the environment is a far greater threat to the earth than nuclear war." This morbid statement, despite having dubious validity, has caused people to start recycling, conserving energy, and carpooling to work. All because of a fear of imminent disaster.</p>
<p>On the opposite side of the spectrum, displaying "good news" has often had disastrous results. One example is how the media falsified accounts of the Vietnam War to make it seem like America was winning. Unfortunately, this was not the case and several Americans were losing their lives. When the truth finally came out there was pandemonium and this eventually led to LBJ refusing to run for another term in office. This is just one such case where "good news" has produced a bad outcome.</p>
<p>Another reason why the media focuses on bad news is to promote survival. With the increasing epidemic of cancer and other diseases in the U.S. people are constantly worrying about their own lives and health. They depend on the media to disemminate this type of morbid information so they can prepare for the worst. As can be seen, delivering bad news can play an essential role in survival.</p>
<p>Ultimately, delivering bad news is important because it drives people to take beneficial action and helps them prepare for the worst, thus promoting survival.</p>