Kattoula 1

Stephanie Kattoula
Mr. Leidecker
English 12
2 May 2016
School Uniforms
I. Introduction
a) Attention Getter
i) A girl comes into school wearing shorts past her knees or a boy walks into class
wearing a tank top, are these kids doing anything wrong?
b) Description and definition of the issue
i) Parents and teachers all across the world are asking the same question, should our
kids have a school uniform so that dress doesnt have to be a distraction for students?
ii) Uniforms meaning students would need to wear certain type of clothing that is
approved by the school.
c) Importance of the issue
i) This has been real big hot topic that still till this day, hasnt been solved by some
schools.
II. Brief Overview of Opposing Position: Counterargument
a) Describe the basic view point of the opposition
i) Admittedly, many people would believe that having a school uniform would solve
many issues.
b) Provide the supporting arguments and facts
i) For example, uniforms help students with self-esteem issues. (Bowen)
ii) Students wouldnt worry about trying to fit in and instead worry about whats really
important, their education. (Bowen)
c) Elaborate/analysis and summer of perspective A:
i) Students wouldnt worry about trying to fit in and instead worry about whats really
important, their education.
d) Your thesis: three big ideas explaining why your position is better
i) Yes, uniforms help out in many ways, however, uniforms encourage conformity, are
heavy in cost, and ultimately delay the transition into adulthood.
III. Main Point #1 (Conformity vs. Originality)
a) Initially and first big idea in

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i) Initially, school uniforms should be banned because they encourage conformity
instead of personality and originality.
b) Provide the supporting arguments and facts for Main Point #1
i) These school uniforms push the students to give into conformity not only inside of
school, but outside too because it constantly exposes them to fitting in. (Wilde)
ii) Uniforms promote homogeneity which can take a toll on the students self-appearance
and self-confidence. (Wilde)
iii) Students are already required to act the same, so requiring them to dress the same too
is more like a gang than school. (Bowen)
iv) Students are taught about people who stood out (Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, etc.)
and expressed themselves but students cant even express themselves in the hallways.
v) If a school system starts at clothes, where does it end?
c) Elaborate/Analysis
i) Students are encouraged with teachers and posters and friends always telling each
other to be yourself but how can they even begin to express themselves if theyre
required to dress a certain way?
d) Closing sentence for main point #1
i) In summation, students would have no self-expression with school uniforms.
IV. Main Point #2: Heavy Expenses
a) Describe your second main point from thesis
i) Not only are these uniforms destroying originality, they also are destroying families
wallets.
ii) Furthermore, research shows that school uniforms can be very expensive.
b) Provide the supporting arguments for main point #2
i) The cost of these uniforms is getting more and more expensive as time goes on.
(1) One family said they were required to pay $641 for their childrens uniforms in
2007. (ProCon)
ii) Some underprivileged families may struggle financially so to be required to pay a few
hundred dollars a year may really take a toll on the family. (ProCon)
iii) In Pennsylvania, 2014, some students were reported missing from school because
their families couldnt afford to purchase the required uniforms. (ProCon)
iv) Americans spend about $250 on uniforms annually. All of the money spent on
uniforms combined is about $1 billion yearly. (ProCon)

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v) Many kids are continuously growing so that means that they could outgrow their
uniforms multiple times a year. (Wilde)
c) Elaborate/ Analysis
i) Since these uniforms are so costly, families are struggling financially.
d) Closing Sentence
i) As a result, most people have come to the conclusion that spending a few thousand
dollars on twelve years of education is over the top and unnecessary.
V. Main Point #3: Uniforms Affecting the Future
a) Describe your 3rd main point from thesis
i) The transition from high school to college is a big step, adulthood begins. With all of
the other things being put on the young adult at this point, trying to learn how to
properly dress should be already mastered at this stage in life.
b) Provide supporting facts/evidence for main point #3
i) These students with uniforms are repeatedly dressing the same for years. (Chen)
ii) Ultimately, children should have the option to choose how they want to dress (with
parents approval) for all of their lives. (Flam)
iii) Unfortunately, with uniforms being required, the children dont have the chance to
learn how to dress themselves. (Flam)
iv) Denying children and teenagers the opportunity to make these choices can delay their
preparation for the real world. (Chen)
v) According to Erik Erikson, adolescents seek identity and that delays that fulfillment
until later in life.
c) Elaborate/analysis
i) This means that students need to have the exposure and freedom to dress themselves
starting at a young age so that they are prepared for a basic need for the rest of their
lives.
d) Closing sentence
i) Therefore, these uniforms are delaying students future which is actually delaying the
transition into adulthood.
VI. Conclusion
a) Restate thesis in a fresh way summarizing your main points
i) School uniforms shouldnt exist for students because they encourage conformity, are
heavy in cost, and ultimately delay the transition into adulthood.
b) State the importance, impact, or effect on American society

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i) Uniforms would take away our individuality, our money, and our independence.
c) Provide a final, profound thought that calls the reader to action
i) All in all, uniforms should be banned as a whole to better the lives of students so that
school can be even more enjoyable.

Works Cited
Bowen, Sherry. http://www.eduguide.org/article/should-kids-wear-schooluniforms. n.d. 02 May 2016.
Chen, Grace. http://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/public-schooluniforms-the-pros-and-cons-for-your-child. n.d. 2 May 2016.
Flam, Lisa. http://www.today.com/parents/are-school-uniforms-helping-orhindering-6C10945768. n.d. 2 May 2016.
ProCon. http://school-uniforms.procon.org/. n.d. 02 May 2016.
Wilde, Marian. http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/school-uniforms/. n.d.
02 May 2016.