Question

What is the central theme and the author's purpose in the text below? How does the author develop and communicate this theme and purpose? Give specific evidence from the text to support your answer. (10 points).

In our current system of voluntary voting, the winner of an election is determined by the candidate’s ability to create controversy rather than by leadership skill. Campaigns therefore focus on highly motivated voters. These also tend to be the most partisan. This constant appeal to extremes on both sides of the political spectrum abandons voters in the middle. In turn, these moderates opt out on Election Day, since none of the candidates seem to be speaking to their concerns. Compulsory voting would offer candidates less incentive to inflame passions (Ornstein, Galston). Without having to spend so much of their time trying to appeal solely to the highly partisan voters most likely to show up at the polls, they could instead spend more time crafting policy proposals to meet the needs of all voters. Fewer highly partisan lawmakers would mean more cooperation and less unnecessary government gridlock.

Answer 1

The central theme can be something like "the issue of undecided voters and how to resolve it". The author develops it by presenting a problem and then presenting the possible solution. The solution would benefit all, not just highly ranked partisan members or ideologically inflamed people for whom the election is crucial.