Question

The primary role of the media should be to inform the public rather than to entertain. Write a response in which you discuss your views on the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing this idea and explain how these consequences shape your position.

Hint:

For the "Analyze an Issue" essay, a strong strategy is to take a nuanced position. Acknowledge the complexity of the issue rather than taking an extreme, one-sided view. The prompt specifically asks you to consider consequences, so dedicating at least one paragraph to analyzing the positive and/or negative outcomes of your position is crucial.

Answer 1

This prompt requires an argumentative essay. A high-scoring response would be well-structured, take a clear position, and support it with reasoning and examples, while also considering the consequences of the position. Below is a structured approach.
Step 1: Deconstruct the Prompt and Formulate a Thesis

Core Issue: Information vs. Entertainment as the media's primary role.
Task: Discuss views, explain reasoning, and analyze consequences.
Thesis Statement Example: While the media's capacity to entertain is a powerful tool for engagement, its primary and most vital role in a functioning democracy is to inform the public; prioritizing entertainment over information leads to a misinformed citizenry and an erosion of civic responsibility.
Step 2: Outline the Essay Structure

Introduction: Introduce the dual roles of media. State your thesis clearly.
Body Paragraph 1 (The Case for Information): Argue that an informed public is the bedrock of democracy. Media acts as the "Fourth Estate," holding power accountable. Use examples like investigative journalism (e.g., Watergate) or crucial public health reporting (e.g., during a pandemic).
Body Paragraph 2 (Consequences of Prioritizing Information): A positive consequence is an empowered, critical-thinking populace that makes sound civic choices. A potential negative consequence to consider is that purely informational content might be perceived as "dry" and fail to attract a wide audience, ceding influence to less scrupulous, entertainment-focused outlets.
Body Paragraph 3 (The Dangers of Prioritizing Entertainment): Argue that when entertainment is the primary goal, it leads to sensationalism, "infotainment," and a focus on trivial matters over substantive issues. This can misrepresent complex topics and foster political apathy. For example, news coverage might favor celebrity scandals over complex policy debates.
Body Paragraph 4 (Consequences of Prioritizing Entertainment): The negative consequences are severe: a polarized and easily manipulated public, the trivialization of important events, and a decline in trust for media institutions. This ultimately weakens the democratic process.
Conclusion: Summarize the main points. Reiterate the thesis, concluding that while entertainment has its place, it must remain secondary to the media's fundamental duty to inform.
Step 3: Use Strong Examples and Reasoning
Strengthen arguments with specific examples. Contrast the societal value of a documentary on climate change (information) with a reality TV show (entertainment). Discuss how the lines have blurred with "infotainment" and 24-hour news cycles that prioritize ratings.