Introduction
Writing essays based on provided sources is a key task assessed by the Praxis Core Writing examination. Being able to critically analyze sources and incorporate relevant evidence and details from those sources into your own writing is essential for success. This article will provide an in-depth example of a source-based Praxis essay, walking through the process and demonstrating the key elements exam graders look for.
The Prompt and Sources
Let’s imagine the following prompt and sources were provided:
Prompt: Assess the claim that the availability of broadband internet access has had an overall positive impact on communities and economic opportunities. Consider the perspectives presented in the two sources that follow and use relevant and specific evidence from both sources to support your assessment.
Source 1 is a short passage from a 2016 report by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that discusses the economic benefits experienced by communities that have deployed broadband internet, including increased job opportunities, economic growth, and education access.
Source 2 is an excerpt from a 2019 article in The Atlantic that raises concerns about the “digital divide” between those who have reliable broadband access and those who do not. It discusses difficulties rural and low-income communities have faced in obtaining broadband infrastructure and argues this widens existing social inequalities.
Analyzing the Sources
The first step is to thoroughly read and analyze both sources to understand the differing perspectives being presented. Source 1 from the FCC primarily focuses on the economic gains experienced by broadband-connected communities, citing increased job opportunities, economic growth measures like GDP, and improved access to online education resources.
Source 2 from The Atlantic counters this optimistic view by highlighting the “digital divide” between broadband haves and have-nots. It notes rural and low-income communities in particular have struggled to obtain reliable high-speed internet access due to infrastructure and affordability barriers. The article argues this digital inequality risks worsening social inequities along lines of income, education level, age, and geographic location.
Thesis Statement
After analyzing the prompt and two differing viewpoint sources, I can develop the following thesis statement:
While the availability of broadband internet has enabled new economic opportunities for many communities, its unequal availability risks widening existing social inequities, as evidenced by the difficulties rural and low-income regions have faced in obtaining reliable access. Both the benefits and drawbacks of the digital divide must be considered when assessing broadband’s overall impact.
Developing Body Paragraphs with Evidence
With the thesis established, I can now devote separate body paragraphs to discussing each source’s perspective and supplying relevant evidence to support it. Here is an example of the first body paragraph:
Source 1 from the FCC touts the many economic benefits local communities have experienced due to increased broadband access. According to the report, greater connectivity enables new types of businesses to form that rely on high-speed internet, helping to create more local jobs. It also cites studies finding areas with broadband available witnessed increased GDP growth compared to similar regions lacking infrastructure. Additionally, the passage notes expanded education opportunities as high-speed connections allow for online degree programs and virtual learning tools to reach students in more remote locations. Clearly, as evidenced by the statistics and case studies presented in the FCC report, greater broadband availability has powered tangible economic growth and opened up new avenues for employment and learning.
Here is an example second body paragraph incorporating evidence from Source 2:
While Source 1 focuses on success stories, Source 2 from The Atlantic draws attention to “digital deserts” still existing in many areas. It discusses the ongoing struggle of rural communities and low-income urban centers to obtain broadband service due to infrastructure costs and affordability barriers. For example, the article cites census data finding over a quarter of rural Americans lack access to high-speed internet, limiting their potential to participate in the evolving digital economy. It also notes research connecting lack of home broadband access to lower levels of educational attainment and employment rates. If entire population segments cannot get online, the article argues, existing social inequities will only deepen over time. This counter-perspective presented in Source 2 cautions that the benefits of expanded broadband are not evenly distributed.
Conclusion
Both sources provide important viewpoints for assessing broadband’s overall impact that must be considered. While greater connectivity has fueled economic growth and learning opportunities as described in Source 1, the “digital divide” discussed in Source 2 risks exacerbating social disparities if not adequately addressed. Fully realizing broadband’s potential benefits will require continued work to make reliable high-speed internet universally available and affordable. Only then can communities across diverse geographies and income levels equally reap the rewards of an increasingly digital society and economy.
Andrew Stroud