FEATURE ARTICLE: Plz Help! (1 Viewer)

[Red-Ink-Frenzy]

You've done well in identifying + focusing on "some important youth issues" but you've neglected the other part of the question - "advise parents/caregivers on how they can best support their children".

You've said good things like "It is the responsibility of parents to remind their children that beauty is but skin-deep and should not be the ultimate measure of one's worth." and "Extreme pressure should not be placed upon children, especially when they are struggling." but you've neglected to elaborate on the actual advice.

To add some length to this article as well as fix this, try elucidating on these types of sentences. For example keep your "Extreme pressure should not be placed upon children, especially when they are struggling." but say how to alleviate or ease the pressures that children face. For example:

"Parents should avoid placing extreme pressure on children, especially when they are struggling, because this only serves to increase the stress the child feels and this can have dangerous repercussions - such as anxiety, restlessness, substance abuse (as a coping mechanism) and depression. Encourage your children to talk to you if there is something bothering them and if there is a problem, try and find the cause and possible solutions/ways of handling the problem. Also, suggest things like exercise, family excursions or taking up a hobby as ways to help your child cope with the pressures and stress that life can bring."

You should also try to expand on your paragraph about self-image - what is it exactly in the media that reinforces these stereotypes of beauty? What are some common role models that children base there image off? etc etc.

Your conclusion is pretty basic - "co-operate fruitfully" is such a broad term; expand/explain it: e.g. co-operate fruitfully through healthy communication etc etc

It's pretty good though I hope I've helped a little bit, but feature articles were always my weakest text type. Just insert some tips, tricks and advice in your article and fix up those little spelling mistakes!

 

[Manwithaplan]

Here is a feature article I attempted to answer this question. I'm not sure if it is right. Can anyone check plz?

Q: Imagine that you have been asked to contribute a feature article to a family magazine that aims to provide advice to parents/caregivers whose children are in the 15 to 18 year-old age group.

Write a feature article in which you:
• focus on what you see as some important youth issues;
• advise parents/caregivers on how they can best support their children.

A: TEEN TROUBLE

With hundreds of reports throughout the press documenting young driving accidents, youths abusing substances, students buckling under acaedemic pressure and teens succumbing to self-esteem issues, it is quite clear these are key problems for today's youth. However, with adequate support and guidance, these obstacles can be overcome.

Hundreds of youth are found severely injured or dead each year on our roads. Reckless decisions, inexperience and ignorance of potential consequences results in young drivers behaving perilously. It is the duty of parents to educate their children about the consequences of driving mishaps and the danger they put themselves and others in. They can also invest time into taking their children on driving lessons and inform them on the correct way to drive.

Substance abuse is yet another youth issue and its perils are escal;ting each year as numerous teenagers use illicit drugs without thought for their devastating effects. With increasedchances of heart and brain failure a possibility, parents must be extremelyvigilant in regards to substance abuse. Prevention can be achieved through ensuring children realise the risks they will be taking and by maintaining close bonds so youths do not need such an outlet.
With exceedingly high acaedemic dermands and an ever-increasing competitive atmosphere, depression due to examinations has become a common issue. Many students begin to feel helpless at times and are overwhelmed to the point of even contemplating suicide. Parents can play a supportive role and constantly remind their children that marks are not the ultimate end. Extreme pressure should not be placed upon children, especially when they are struggling.

Issues of self-esteem and self-image are at an unprecedented high as the media constantly engulfs today's youth with perceptions of unattainable beauty. It is the responsibility of parents to remind their children that beauty is but skin-deep and should not be the ultimate measure of one's worth.

Today's children are bombarded with more issues than perhaps any prior generation. Parents and children must co-operate fruitfully so as to triumph over these issues.





Criticism is great and appreciated.