How to Write Better Essays

Statements

1 Most people believe we’re right to try to protect the environment.

2 Most of us are opposed to the systematic use of very young

children in the labour force.

3 Most of us accept that we should not be cruel to animals.

Reasons

1 The environment.

Because of:

1.1 the increasing levels of pollution;

1.2 the rise in the incidence of health problems related to

environmental pollution, e.g. asthma;

1.3 the depletion of resources, like rainforests;

1.4 the damage to the ozone layer and the related increase in

skin cancer;

1.5 the effect of changes in the ecological system, e.g. the changes

in weather patterns supposedly as a result of the ‘greenhouse

effect’;

1.6 endangered species whose habitats are disappearing.

2 Child labour.

Because:

2.1 children should be in education;

2.2 children are easily exploited;

2.3 they should have a childhood, rather than be forced into the

adult world too early;

2.4 they are likely to work in dangerous and unhealthy conditions;

2.5 in some circumstances they will take work away from adult

workers who need it to support their families.

3 Animals.

Because:

3.1 we believe we have a moral responsibility to try to maximise

the well-being of all, not just promote our own self-interests;

3.2 this involves the moral obligation to minimise all unnecessary

suffering;

Working with Evidence 229

HTW29 7/27/01 8:42 AM Page 229