ENGLISH ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE

   Example of Argumentative Essay 

      Did you know that cancer cases have increased from 1.9 million in 2022 to 2 million in 2023 ? About a 30% increase within the last decade. Not to mention the erratic statistics that more than 50% of the cancer cases are those of children. There has been an intense controversy surrounding the detriments and advantages of Styrofoam. Styrofoam more or less is a product of trademark that is used to cover and surround buildings with material. It has also helped the pockets of small business owners successfully advance their dreams. Styrofoam is ubiquitous, it is essentially the main product restaurants use to package food for customers, which is said to help keep food fresher and have better coverage. Happy customer, Happy Life. Nevertheless, styrofoam is extremely destructive to the health of individuals, the environment, and overall the economy. Styrofoam has become one of the leading factors in the cause of cancer and chronic health disease, negatively impacting the environment and sea life and has induced pollution in the water and streets contributing to global warming. This essay will delve into the disastrous aspects of the daily use of Styrofoam. 

   Strict regulations on the production and consumption of Styrofoam are profound to help diminish the causes of chronic health disease and most importantly Cancer. Cancer is a disease in which some of the body cells grow out of control and proceed to spread to other parts of the body. Text 2, ‘Why Styrofoam Is so Bad for the Environment’ written by Kim Robson explicitly states “The US Environmental Protection Agency and the international agency of research on  cancer have established styrene as a possible human carcinogen.”(Lines 11-12) Styrene is an extensive product that is typically used to make styrofoam products for distribution. Individuals who work in styrene product manufacturing and are highly exposed to extreme levels of styrene are more likely to experience displeasure to the eyes and skin, and additionally they will experience struggle in respiratory tract and breathing. Carcinogen can be defined as a cancer-causing substance. Around the world, countless people have experienced the heartbreaking effects of Cancer. Individuals' bodies are broken down and sucked down to nothing. Families have to watch as their loved ones suffer and most times pass away to the destructive nature of Cancer. It is crucial to educate ourselves to help reduce the risks of encountering an atrocity such as cancer, however, also, for the improvement of our environment. Moreover, Text 2 states “Styrofoams containers are commonly used for takeout food, but chemicals can leach into and contaminate the food, affecting human health and reproductive systems.” (Lines 26-27) Residue of the chemicals, for instance styrene, that is used for the creation of styrofoam can be left on the take-out containers, impure the food and further decrease the health of persons. Similarly there can be a connection drawn to Covid-19. Covid-19 started with an exposure of an infected animal. This then became the biggest pandemic of the century. Which brought an increase in death tolls. Breaking down bodily cells, weakening the immune system, making the immune system more prone to other health diseases. The prevalent impact increased risk factors introducing new variants of the virus. Think of Styrofoam coverage as Covid-19, it may cover the outside, yet within it is damaging the body. The chemicals that are being introduced to the body, that primarily the body is not familiar with, can lead to appalling conditions the body is not properly equipped to handle.  This scrutinizes the responsibility we have to protect each other and the environment, from chemicals and manufacturing goods that can adversely destroy our bodies, health, and increase Cancer. Therefore, implementing strict regulations on the production and consumption of Styrofoam is a pivotal step towards decreasing the cases in chronic health diseases and Cancer.  

   The negative impacts of styrofoam have made drastic changes to the environment. Leading to a significant increase in land pollution as well as pollution of animal life in the sea. It is crucial to help improve the natural aspects of our environment because negatively styrofoam can augment the risk of climate change and the decline of the ozone layer of the Earth’s  barrier surface. Text 1 ‘Pros and Cons of styrofoam’ states “not biodegradable and therefore takes up a lot of space in landfills, which adds to the pollution problem.” (Lines 17-18). This further exemplifies the state in which styrofoam is ubiquitous, literally. Styrofoam can be broken into small pieces and scattered everywhere and in most cases there is always a caution directing us to keep it out of childrens way and/ or to make sure we recycle or throw it directly in the bin. Yet as human nature, most do not read the caution direction on particular products. Styrofoam can lead to the decline in sea life, which leads to decline in food for most individuals here on earth. Furthermore Text 1 ‘Pros and Cons of styrofoam’ depicts “EPS foam sometimes makes its way into waterways and can have disastrous effects on animals that may confuse it for food or nesting material.” (Lines 20-23). Styrofoam, also known as EPS foam can and has crossed paths with sea life, transporting directly into the ocean, Sewers and other waterways, which will participate in interrupting the lives of animals in the ocean and beyond.  Although communities have been trying to transform and develop a better environment and life for animals in the water, nothing will ever advance or be accomplished when substituting one cruelty for the next. The communities are at an advantage, with the advancements and capability of technology. It is of the utmost significance to try harder for the improvement of land and sea life. Thus, the importance of changing the use of styrofoam for the increased advantages we can have in the land and sea environment. 

     Some may argue that styrofoam has positively impacted the world. Depicting that styrofoam is cheaper and less expensive than other products that would in return replace it in the future. Text 3 ‘Statewide polystyrene and band would bring unintended consequences’ states “In some cases, according to the California restaurant association, cost will more than double. Recycle Nation says that a paper cup costs about 2 and  1/2 times what a styrofoam cup cost” (Line 21-23) According to this piece of evidence it highlights the advantages of having styrofoam products. Consequently, if styrofoam is banned worldwide, it will be devastating to the economy. Lucrative trade for raw materials and other natural resources inflates. Bringing about a world economic crisis, similar to that of the Wall Street Crash that took place during the Great Depression. More specifically other products/ materials for instance paper cups will cost 2 and ½ times more than a styrofoam cup. This will augment the inflation taking place in modern times and much more. Nevertheless, researchers say that styrofoam has been a contributing factor to global warming. Text 2 ‘Why Styrofoam Is so Bad for the Environment’ written by Kim Robson’ states “The National Bureau of standard Center of fire research has found 57 chemical byproducts released during the creation of Styrofoam.” The economy has suffered greatly due to the myriad cash that has to be spent on fixing global warming. And yet it is human nature that has caused global warming. Not recycling, or throwing the trash in the garage. Burning fossil fuels, in which styrofoam is manufactured from a fossil fuel and a non-renewable resource. Burning fossil fuels have a great influence on the increasing climate and earth’s heat. A handful of individuals would complain about how hot it is in the winter and how cold it is getting in the summer, not realizing that the primary cause is the community/us. The burning of the chemicals that are used to create styrofoam adds huge amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere which is the ultimate result of global warming and climate change. Although the economy may have some drastic changes with the ban of styrofoam, it also has enormous changes now that the temperature of the earth is shifting. Notwithstanding, global warming has been an enduring issue that is very costly to the economy and if it means banning and eliminating styrofoam for a better future and helping the reduction of global warming than that it should be.

   All in all, styrofoam should be banned because it negatively impacts our health, the land and sea environment as well as having a huge impact on global warming. The turning point will only turn if we jump to improve the world we live in and fix it for the future generations. Actions that can be taken are starting non-profit organizations dedicated to helping the environment, recycling the products we use and overall coming together as a community and addressing the issues. Turning ideas into actionable causes.  

(this can not be plagiarised fyi)

This essay was written by a current 10th grader name : Gabriella Henry