Essays test your reading comprehension as well as your ability to articulate ideas in a clear and concise manner. Below is the second essay assignment. Read the instructions carefully, and please see the section “Formatting and Submission Rules” to learn how you should format and submit your essay. (You are required to incorporate a minimum of two outside sources in your essay, and you are required to include a Works Cited page.)
In many countries, school uniforms are common. In Japan, for example, most junior high and high school students are required to wear school uniforms — a tradition that goes back to the late 19th century. The United States, on the other hand, does not have a history of requiring students to wear school uniforms; rather, school uniforms are usually reserved for private schools, especially Catholic schools. Recently, however, this has started to change. Many school administrators across the United States have been rethinking the practicality of dress codes and have instead been embracing mandatory school uniform policies. Some have praised this trend in favor of school uniforms, noting that it cultivates self-discipline among students, but others have criticized it for hampering students’ ability to express themselves. Consider the pros and cons of mandatory school uniform policies. In an essay, argue whether more schools across the United States should or should not require their students to wear uniforms.