Writing Center
Youngstown State University

Introductory Paragraphs

Direct Announcement: "A Solution to Graffiti Problems"
There is no one complete method of solving the graffiti problem. Increased lighting of streets and buildings at night, limited spray paint cans, and new graffiti-proof building materials can all help to decrease the graffiti problem. Graffiti removal is a costly process and all of these methods should be used to try to decrease the problem of graffiti.

Question and Series of Related Facts:
What do Cornbread, Cool Earl, and Rembrandt have in common? "Nothing," say the millions who are appalled at the notion of graffiti by the first two well-known Philadelphia graffiti "artists" whose work has defaced many city buildings. "Quite a bit," argue the defenders of this unusual kind of "folk art." While a vocal minority champions the spray paint "artists," concerned citizens are banding together to find a solution to problems created by such "creative expression."

Definition:
"Graffiti" is an Italian word that refers to words or phrases written on public sidewalks or buildings. Ancient examples of this "public writing" were found on the walls of the city of Pompeii when it was unearthed. Today the term often signifies the spray-painted slogans that "decorate" urban schools, houses, and even subway cars. To some people--psychologists and sociologists for the most part--such graffiti are a valid and even artistic means of self-expression. To most people, however, graffiti represent an ever-increasing urban problem calling for immediate solution.

Quotation:
In a national symposium on graffiti, David Adams, noted art historian, stated: "Time was when 'Kilroy was here' decorated many out-of-the-way places, but now it has been replaced by more exotic
signatures, and the penciled comments have given way to spray-painted slogans." As Dr. Adams pointed out, once graffiti writing moved out of the rest rooms and onto the streets, it immediately became an object of concern among citizens trying to solve our urban problems. Elimination of this unsightly blight presents a real problem.

Anecdote:
Yesterday Billy Barnes came home at 3:30 and let himself into his house with the key he carries to school every morning. After fixing himself a snack of five Oreo cookies and a glass of grape Koolaid, Billy watched television (MTV) for two hours. When the doorbell rang, Billy didn't answer it. Instead, he peered out the window from behind the living room curtains and waited anxiously until the stranger on his front porch walked away. At 5:30 Billy remembered that he was supposed to call his mother when he got home from school, but when he telephoned her office, she was in a meeting and couldn't talk to him. Billy is seven years old; he represents a growing number of latchkey children who pay the price for their parents' changing lifestyles.

Refutation:
Many people (among them, many legislators) believe that the legalization of marijuana would cause a widespread increase in drug addiction and crime. Actually, as moderate legalization is beginning to show in some states, legalization probably will create a drop in crime as marijuana ceases to be contraband and a black-market product. Also, it is reported that as its use has increased, use of hard drugs and the crime associated with such drugs have decreased.

Presenting a New Slant:
Sickle cell anemia, a serious disease that mainly threatened blacks, has recently become the target of an extensive health campaign on both state and federal levels. This campaign has been received by the public with tremendous approval. It's about time, however, that the other side of the story was revealed. For, although the programs to test for and treat the disease have undoubtedly been undertaken with good intentions, they have had some decidely negative effects.