8th Grade tcap writing Assessment 2015 Student a prompt 1

Student A – Prompt 1

Sometimes, we believe we know what we eat, but do we really know everything that goes in our meals? Unknown by some, the additives put in our food has pros and cons. Additives give food a longer shelf life and make them smoother or softer (Globus 18‐20). Although this poses a strong case for additives, they still carry downsides; such as, causing allergic reactions or increasing a person's risk for cancer. In "Pros and Cons of Food Additives" by Shelia Globus we can see both sides of the argument for and against food additives. Using information from Globus's essay, one can conclude that food additive have both pros and cons.

Food additives have been linked to creating cancer causing chemicals in our food (Globus 35). Along with this striking news, additives are also known to cause allergic reactions in some people, causing hives, headaches, dizziness, and even nausea (Globus 54). "The biggest risk associated with food additives is that they tend to be in snack foods and baked goods that have little nutritional value” (Globus 67‐68). By conveying this point, Globus reveals the downsides to food additives. On the other hand, additives save produces and keep them lasting longer; therefore, keeping society fed (Globus 15). Without additives, food would go bad before even reaching the store shelves. Some vitamins and minerals are even used in foods to boost nutrition (1617). Additives are even known to prevent food poisoning (Globus 1516). With this information, one can conclude that additives are not all negative, but even somewhat essential.

The points Globus conveys in her essay give us the piece of mind needed to make our own decisions about our diets. By using powerful words such as "‐green with mold” (Globus 18) or “‐hard as rocks.” (Globus 19‐20), really demonstrates how throughly she wants to get her point across. Globus provides the knowledge about food additives needed to understand the food products we have.

Student B – Prompt 1

When asked to name the ingredients of a common food product such as ice cream, an average person would probably say: "Milk, cream, sugar, salt, and eggs?" However, they wouldn't be able to name all the additives used in the creation of such a simple product. The article, "Pros and Cons of Food Additives" by Shelia Globus, has points about the additives in food, that never really choose a side. One point says additives help food, while the other says it harms humans. Additives are the cause of allergies, but also the result of food staying fresh.

The author includes two points that conflict each other in a big way. Globus points out in her essay to avoid additives due to harmful chemicals, while in comparison, she quotes a spokesperson for American Dietetic Association, saying that its "OK to eat these foods" with additives, in moderation. (Globus, 68‐69) But she also states reactions due to certain additives can be "…hives, a stuffy nose, and shortness of breath ... " (Globus, 39‐40)

Additives are the reason that foods stay pristine and edible. Without them, many foods would be "green with mold. Salt would clump, peanut butter would separate, and marshmallows would be as hard as rocks." (Globus, 18‐19) However, she also states "...additives haven't been tested well enough to be sure they're safe.” (Globus, 21‐22) These un‐tested additives could cause dozens of different kinds of symptoms, some resulting fatal. Globus makes it clear, that you are forced to pay a price for quality product.

Another contradicting point that surfaced in Globus' essay, is that food would be tasteless with additives, but the additives make the food unhealthy. These chemicals put in to food to enhance, actually decrease your health. The list of problems from additives goes on, and nitrates and nitrites can “create cancer‐causing chemicals”. (Globus, 35‐36) However, without additives, neither would we have smooth icecream, nor the brown coloring of colas. These two statements, make it hard to figure if additives are safe for your body.

Globus makes points about the chemicals in foods, that overall, make it unclear about what the reader should think of additives. They make food taste and look better, all while hurting your body, and releasing potentially harmful chemicals. Her essay covers information on additives, but leaves readers unsure about the safety, or use, of additives.

Student C – Prompt 1

Globus's article is a compare/contrast essay in every sense of the word; she provides credible information regarding both the positive and negative aspects of additives in the foods we eat. By doing this, she is able to develop an article that effectively tells both sides of the story, allowing the reader to make an informed decision based on the information presented. The following essay will detail how Globus develops both of the arguments featured in the previous essay.

She starts by showcasing the fact that most additives in food are harmless, and can actually make foods taste better or last longer. For example, in sections 4 and 5, she states that "additives are responsible for many of the qualities of food we take for granted, such as the smooth color of ice cream and the brown color of sodas". Later,in sections 10 and 11 of the article, she states that "the tart or tangy taste of soft drinks, for example, is produced by adding acids from lemons, limes, and apples" (signifying the benign qualities), and in sections 7, 8, and 9, she quotes Dr. Fergus Clydesdale, stating that "more than 90 percent of food additives come from compounds that were originally found in nature. By doing this, she begins to develop the point that additives are typically beneficial to the consumer and do more good than harm.

She develops this point later in the article when she describes the criteria that the additives have to meet in order to be released to the public. According to the article, food additives are placed under careful examination, and have to be considered a GRAS ("generally recognized as safe" food) or be approved by the FDA for use. She then states in section 31 that "those (food additives) found to cause cancer in animals or humans are usually banned", which can be taken to mean that even if the additive is not harmless, the problem can be corrected. However, she takes the time to mention that there are still many concerns ...

For example, she notes that one of the main reasons that people oppose the presence of additives in food is the fact that there can be mistakes and subsequent health problems; she states that chemicals such as BHT and BHA and certain sweeteners have linked to cancer and that substances such as nitates and nitrites have been known to "create cancer‐causing chemicals". Obviously, there can be be some serious health risks associated with the additives.

However, the risk factor doesn't appear to be the worst aspect; she goes on to say that additives to food can cause discomfort, allergic reactions, or even death! For example, in sections 39 and 40, she states that yellow dye number 5, an additive used for color, "can cause hives, a stuffy nose and shrotness of breath in some people".She then states in sections 41‐43 that "sulfites can also be troublesome ... sulfite‐sensitive people can have allergic reaction that include hives, wheezing, and even fatal shock". For non‐allergy sufferers, additives such as aspartame and MSG have been known to cause symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headaches, and diarrhea. As you can see from the previous text, there are a lot of risks that can be associated with the consumption of these additives.

The two points in the article that I have described are literally polar opposites; one details the benefits of having additives in food, while the other details the negative effects. Globus develops each in a debate‐like fashion, providing counterpoints for every argument, and giving you enough information to make your own informed decision.

Student D – Prompt 1

Throughout people's lives, most have been eating some sort of food additive on a regular basis, most likely without realizing it. In some cases, this is fine, but in others, it may not be. Additives do a lot of good, but they can also affect some people's health. Sheila Globus analyzes this issue in her article, "Pros and Cons of Food Additives". She discusses the good things about food additives, such as an improved flavor and longer shelf life for foods, but she also writes about the overall health issues and issues specific only to some people caused by additives.

So, why did additives show up in food in the first place if they can cause health problems? As Globus wrote in her article, "additives are responsible for many of the qualities of food that we take for granted" (4‐5). They can preserve food, for one. Globus gives an example: "Marshmallows would be hard as rocks" (19‐20) without them. They also can make food taste better. Globus writes people wouldn't have "the tart or tangy taste of soft drinks" (10) without additives. Possibly most importantly, additives protect consumers from food poisoning. By increasing the shelf life, they decrease the chance of a person eating spoiled or rotten food and getting sick from it. While taste and shelf life are two major advantages of additives, there are other minor ones as well.

Although additives in food have many advantages, there are issues with them as well, which is what can make them controversial. "Consumer groups warn that many additives haven't been tested well enough to be sure they're safe," (21‐22) Globus writes. Health is a huge disadvantage regarding additives. Globus uses the example of BHT and BHA. She discusses how they "may increase the risk of cancer" (25). There may be issues regarding cancer in some artificial sweeteners as well, according to Globus. Although these additives have advantages, they may not be worth the risk of cancer. Also, Globus discusses the people who are allergic to some additives. Reactions she discusses include "hives, a stuffy nose, and shortness of breath" (39‐40). Certain additives, such as sulfites, can even cause fatal allergic reactions. Although few people are allergic to additives, the fact that almost all food has some sort of additive and they are often hard to find on the ingredients list makes finding food to eat difficult for those few people with allergies. Also, Globus discusses the fact that food with additives are rarely healthy, which has contributed to obesity issues. Overall, additives aren't very healthy.

Globus's two main paints regarding additives are that they do have advantages, but health issues may cancel those advantages out. Most additives will make food taste better and safer to eat for most people, but some chemicals, like BHA and BHT have health risks, and some people are allergic to certain additives. The ridiculous obesity levels in today's society also are contributed to by additives.The disadvantages of additives Globus discusses can only be overcome by watching ingredients lists on food and eating smart.

Student E – Prompt 1

With the article "Pros and Cons of Food Additives", Shelia Globus introduces the controversial topic of food additives, and starts explaining the positives and negatives of the material. She opens with a small, real‐life sort of scenario, in which a boy is looking at the ingredients on a cereal box, and professes that he had no idea it had so many chemicals in it. Globus then goes on to say, "People who don't like chemicals in their food had better get used to it," showing us that while some might not agree with food additives, they're too wide spread too get rid of completely, and introducing us to the text's main arguments.

The text starts by explaining the basic facts of these additives, with Globus giving us some facts about certain foods that contain additives. She includes ice cream and soda, stating, "Without these substances, ice cream wouldn't be as smooth, and cola wouldn't be as tangy or tart as the processed product," and this gives us a glimpse into the fact that these additives might be necessary if only to flavor different types of nourishment. This is part of her positive side of food additives, showing how essential it is for that type of base forming, making substances into a better version of themselves. However, it is also unessential to survival, because while it might boost certain things, it's definitely not something that we can survive without. This introduces Globus's cons to these substances, and the flip side of this argument.

With the end of these basics, Globus brings us around to the other side of the argument, showing us the the negatives of these chemicals that are placed in our food, and supporting an entirely different viewpoint, stating, "However, some consumer groups warn that these additives have not been tested well enough, and they can still have an adverse affect on humans." This statement shows us that these chemicals might not be all that their cracked up to be, and enlightens us to the fact that they could be hurting instead of helping, as they can in fact be dangerous to the human body. Globus tries to support this viewpoint by stating, “... and some studies have shown that, while working as antioxidants, BHT and BHA can cause or increase the risk of getting cancer,” and essentially tells us that, while these additives might help some things stay fresh, or get nutrients, it could also slowly be giving you a deadly and sometimes fatal disease. This supports the fact that additives are a negative thing, bringing harmful side‐effects along with the helpful things. In addition to this, Globus also continues her argument against food additives, showing us with evidence under the sub‐heading of Safety First, that these chemicals can also cause you to experience other ailments as well, with common additives, such as sulfites, yellow dye number 5, and nitrates can cause cancer, headaches,dizziness, shortness of breath, and much more. This only strengthens Globus's argument as to why additives can be an unhealthy and unwise choice. Globus closes out her negative point on these chemicals, with her cons being supported by a slew of ailments that can be caused by these chemicals, and reintroduces them on a more positive light, closing this side of the argument.

With Globus having gone on and on about the negatives of food additives, she now introduces some positives, stating, “In reality, very , few food additives are all that bad for you, and those that experience these side‐effects make up approximately five percent of the population." These facts show that food additives might not actually be as bad as they might be painted, and that they typically don't cause a large, and significant number of adverse side‐effects. This also puts Globus back on the pros for food additives, showing that they can actually just help. without all the mess. She also gives a few facts about some of the common chemicals that are added to our food, which don't typically cause any illness for the average person. This wraps up her support of the positive side of food additives, and summarily concludes the article, with Globus ending on the pros side of the board.

In conclusion, Shelia Globus made two extremely valid points with her article "Pros and Cons of Food Additives", and nicely explained both viewpoints, as well as providing evidence to back up both of these points. She argued both the negatives and the positives, using specific, pinpoint evidence to support the negatives, and a broader, more general thought perspective to support the positives, and ultimately ending up in a sort of neutral, fact‐based state.

Student F – Prompt 1

Have you ever wondered why there are so many unusual ingredients in the foods you eat? Well what you may be curious about are what are known as food additives, and you don't have to worry. Although some of these additives can cause allergic reactions and in few cases cancer, it is very rare that they do. In the article, "Pros and Cons of Food Additives", by Sheila Globus, both the benefits and side‐effects are given about the health and importance of these additives, and because both pros and cons are listed, two conflicting view points are made throughout Globu's writing.

To start, the author first explains how additives can be a nutritious addition to what they are added to. By doing this she introduces her first pro and thus her first point of view. Globus writes, "Sometimes, vitamins and minerals are used as additives to make foods more nutritious." If something could make what you eat better nourishment wise, you wouldn't want to turn it down as it could be good for your body. This is a great example of a positive outcome that can arise from additives. Globus doesn't stop here as she explains another importance of additives being that they can keep mold away from your food longer than without them (18‐20). Who likes moldy food? By giving multiple examples of pros, the author strongly provides evidence to support this point of view.

After describing positive effects, Globus moves straight to the negatives using the transition, "But additives also have a downside." By doing this she lets the reader know that she will now be discussing cons of additives. First Globus states, "Some studies have shown that BHT and BHA may increase the rick of cancer." Because these two additives could cause this horrible disease, a huge negative effect is created.

Although the author mentions two differing points of view in her article, she does clarify that, "most of the nearly 3,000 additives in the food supply are safe.” By making this statement Globus lets the reader know that the cons are not very plentiful in the additives, meaning that pros will be more likely in each additive than cons will.