Question

Revise this paragraph from the essay on voter identification, which focuses on one of the claim's supporting reasons. As you revise the paragraph, focus on:

1. making sure the point of the paragraph is precise and related to the overall claim in the essay,
2. using words, phrases, and clauses to link major ideas in the paragraph,
3. organizing ideas in a logical way,
4. stating and addressing a counterclaim,
5. maintaining a formal style and objective tone, and
6. correcting MLA citation errors.

Underline any portions of the original paragraph that you include in your version of the paragraph. (30 points).

Paragraph to be revised:

Essay claim: Laws requiring people to show photo identification in order to vote decrease voter participation.

Lots of people don't have photo identification. Requiring people to show photo identification to vote would keep those without this type of identification from voting. Those who often don't have identification include elderly individuals who no longer drive and citizens living in high poverty areas where transportation is limited. They would be denied the chance to vote. Sociologist Mark Abernathy writes, "requiring photo identification in order to vote essentially eliminates a whole population of American voters. These voters are part of society, but they are denied a basic right guaranteed to all Americans over the age of eighteen. Elections are then determined by only a portion of the population, not the entire population" (page 820 of the article "Photo Identification Disenfranchisement"). Some people think this is just not true. Ria Olberson, an economist at Alabaster University, states, "few Americans are without drivers' licenses. Even if the license is expired or revoked, it still counts as photo identification. To claim that requiring identification disenfranchises a segment of the American population is simply inaccurate" (page 101). Olberson is just wrong! A lot of people don't have licenses because they either don't need them or they don't want them. Consider people living in major cities. They have no reason to get driver's licenses: public transportation. This extremely large group of people would be forced to obtain driver's licenses to participate in a process that they are guaranteed as citizens of the United States.

Answer 1

Essay claim: Requiring voters to present picture identification reduces voter participation.

Many people lack photo identification. Requiring picture identification to vote would keep those without it from voting. Elderly people who no longer drive and people who live in low-income areas often lack identification. They would be unable to vote. Mark Abernathy argues, "Requiring photo ID to vote effectively eliminates a large group of American voters. However, they are denied a basic privilege given to all Americans over the age of 18. A part of the population, not the entire population, decides elections" " (page 820 of the article "Photo Identification Disenfranchisement"). Some believe this isn't true. Ria Olberson of Alabaster University says, "Few Americans lack a license. Even an expired or revoked license counts as photo identification. The idea that requiring identification disenfranchises some Americans is simply false " (page 101). Just just wrong! Many people don't have licenses because they don't need or desire them. Consider city dwellers. They don't need licenses: public transportation. Many of these people would have to get licenses in order to participate in a process that they are entitled to as U.S. citizens.