Write an essay about how people can improve the world around them. Use your knowledge and your own experience or observation to develop your essay. Use details, reasons, and examples in your explanation.

Other possible ideas could include 

• helping others to achieve their goals,
• helping those who cannot help themselves,
• taking responsibility for your own actions, and
• taking a stand against what is wrong.

The "Imagine" Opening

Imagine a world where no one cares. Plastic bags skate across the sidewalks, broken windows stare out blindly, and weeds strangle the front yards of homes that sit unpainted and dull. People move about like zombies, failing to even make eye contact with each other since they have little concern for anyone but themselves. Does that sound like a nightmare or like some episode of The Walking Dead? That's what our community would look like if no one cared! But like Anne Frank who said, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before trying to improve the world," I believe that people can improve the world around them. Even kids can improve their own little world in a small way that can snowball into bigger improvements throughout the entire world.

In the closing paragraph, you "revisit" the world and describe how much better it appears, now that people care.

The "Anecdote Opening"

In May of 1963, hundreds of young protestors, some just elementary students, skipped school and took to the streets of Birmingham, Alabama. What were they planning to do? Get arrested! Their plan was to follow the example of Martin Luther King, Jr. and fill the jails of Birmingham so that the racist policies of the South's most prejudiced city could no longer be carried out. These students believed that they didn't need to "wait a single moment before trying to improve the world." I believe that as well. I believe that people can improve the world around them.

In the closing paragraph, you "revisit" the anecdote and perhaps tell the "rest of the story" to prove the story's relevance and connection to the topic.

The "Importance of the Speaker Opening"

Anne Frank was just one of thousands of Jews who attempted to hide from the Nazis during World War II. Her family was betrayed by neighbors, however, and thirteen year-old Anne and most of her family went to their deaths in a concentration camp. What's amazing is how positive she remained while in the harsh conditions of hiding. She even wrote, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before trying to improve the world." By this, I think Anne Frank meant that no matter what your situation, you can do some small act to make life better for people around you. I believe that people can improve the world around them by teaching others what they know, taking responsibility to solve problems, and volunteering in the community.

Notice that here we do something new, which is to attach the three supporting ideas (in parallel form) to the thesis. We don't give any examples, though; those will come later in the supporting paragraphs.

In the closing paragraph, you "revisit" the speaker of the quote and perhaps tell how this person continues to inspire you and others even today.

The "Simple Quote Opening"

Anne Frank once said, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before trying to improve the world." By this I think she meant that no matter what your situation, you can do some small act to make life better for people around you. Kids have big ideas about saving the world, but do they realize they don't have to wait until they're adults? If every single student in our school took the time and effort to do just one kind, responsible thing each day, our school would be amazing! And then we could spread that same idea to our community. I believe that people can improve the world around them by teaching others what they know, helping others to achieve their goals, and volunteering in the community. 

In the closing paragraph, you can challenge the reader. Ask, "I wonder" or "What if" questions, wondering what changes could be made if kids actually did this.

A Note on the Supporting Paragraphs:

It sounds silly to start off all three supporting paragraphs in this way:

One way that people can improve the world around them is by teaching others what they know.

Another way that people can improve the world around them is by helping others to achieve their goals.

A third way that people can improve the world around them is by volunteering in the community.

INSTEAD, try inverting the sentence structure on the second paragraph

One way that people can improve the world around them is by teaching others what they know.

Helping others to achieve their goals is another way we could improve the world.

A third way that people can improve the world around them is by volunteering in the community.

Closing Sentences:

• Try an opposing viewpoint (Although ____________, _____________).
• Try a cause/effect sentence (Because ___________, ____________).
• Try a different cause/effect sentence (If _______________, then _____________).
• Try a perhaps sentence (Perhaps ____________).