Question

Write a Brief Report with a well-supported controlling idea.

“Harrison Bergeron,” a short story by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., is set in an imaginary future in which the government has made it illegal for people to compete with one another. Imagine that you live in the world of the story. The government is rethinking its policy against competition and has sent you back in time to the year 2020 to observe and report on the effects of competition.

Write a one-paragraph Brief Report of your findings. Begin by clearly stating your controlling idea, or the main idea of your writing. For this report, your controlling idea might be:

competition has many negative effects
the positive effects of competition outweigh the negative ones
the effects of competition are neither all good nor all bad
another idea of your choice
Support, or maintain, your controlling idea with strong reasons and effective evidence, such as the outcome of a competition that illustrates your point clearly.

Restate your controlling idea in your conclusion and end with a final thought for readers to consider.

Answer 1

Here is a draft Brief Report on the effects of competition set in the world of "Harrison Bergeron":

Controlling Idea: The effects of competition are neither entirely positive nor completely negative; rather, competition brings out both constructive and harmful behaviors in people.

After observing the year 2020, I found that competition frequently motivates people to strive for excellence. The Olympics showcase incredible athletic achievements only possible through competitors pushing each other. Businesses work diligently on innovative products and services to outdo their rivals. Students study rigorously to earn top exam scores. This drive fuels progress and growth.

However, competition also enhances negative qualities like greed, jealousy, and dishonesty. Companies steal ideas and sabotage others' reputations. Athletes use banned substances to get an edge. Students even cheat to rank above their peers. Competition brings out humanity's worst impulses along with its best.

In conclusion, competition is a complex beast. Its positive effects inspire people to maximize their potential. But it also corrupts integrity and sportsmanship. Perhaps the ideal world lies between the extremes of "Harrison Bergeron" and 2020. With balanced policies encouraging healthy competition while curbing cutthroat excess, society could thrive. I hope these observations aid the government's reconsideration of competition laws.

Step-by-step explanation: