RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
ENGLISH 3 WRITING EXAM
COMPARE/CONSTRAST ESSAY

Student ID Number: 20720104
Date: 11/30/04
Teacher: Ms. Crass
Period: 3

Directions:
You have three class periods to complete this exam.
Plan your time wisely so that a finished product will be turned in for evaluation.
Write a three-part compare/contrast essay that explores the similarities and/or differences between two items
Be sure to turn in all papers (they should all be stamped).
You may use a dictionary and thesaurus if needed
Choose your own topic; do not write on any topic previously used this semester
Write your final copy in ink, front side of the paper only

Evaluator: B. Deatheradge

Today's music industry is spiraling out of control and the people who run it are blaming piracy. They say that piracy is no different than stealing and that the people who obtain music through piracy will ruin the economics of their industry. However, I, and thousands of other people, know that piracy is totally different from stealing. (Not only are pirates intentions radically different than that of theives, but piracy itself is just a better way to distribute music that can also have a positive effect on the music industry. Stealing is wrong, piracy can be justified.) Theives only take advantage of the system that is already in place and have no intention of ever helping the industry. Piracy has its own distribution system that opens up a whole new world of the musical industry.

What sets theives apart from pirates first of all is their intentions. Theives steal music that is provided in the mainstream and never intend to help the artists out. On the other hand pirates obtain (music that is) a wide variety of music that is not always provided in ways that they can legally get it. When a pirate gets music he is usually getting the work of a smaller artist that isn't sold very much. Pirates don't want to hurt artists, they just want to be able to find (new things) and try new things that may have been overshadowed by the mainstream music industry. All points considered, theives only want what they get and don't care who it hruts while pirates really do respect and care about artists.

(The) Another radical difference between theives and (p) pirates is how they get (what they get) their music. Theives walk into records stores and take physical copies off the shelves. When a thieve takes it from the shelf they are taking something that cost money to produce and stripping the store of its ability to sell it for a profit. Pirates don't take advantage of the already established distribution system. Instead pirates have their own. A pirate will usually go out and buy an album (that) and then discover that he likes it. When he decides that he likes it, he will share a digital copy of it online. If another person finds this copy they can share it with other people. (that they,) This method of distribution has gotten to the point where some people just like it better. It provides a fast, easy and personal way to hear new things. Theives could only wish to have something like this.

Finally, stealing and piracy effects the music industry totally differently. (To show) A simple math equation can show the radical differences between the two effects very clearly. Stealing is represented by the equation 0 - 1 = -1. The zero represents the status quo of the industry without stealing. (When) If there was no stealing there would be no effect on the industry. However, when someone steals an album off the shelf of a music store the industry loses the ability to sell the album and loses profit. That was represented by the subtraction of one from the status qou and the overall negative result. Piracy is represented by (2) two equations, (0+) 0-0=0 and 0+1=1. Pirates would not (buy an album in the first place/ get an album in the first. place if it had not been available through piracy; this is represented by the zero. When a pirate obtains (an album) a pirated digital copy of the album it is only a copy of an album sold so it has no effect on the industry. This is represented by the first equation and the result has no effect on the industry whatsoever. Now sometimes a pirate downloads something that they like and will go out and purchase it. This leads to another sale of the album and the industry gains profit as shown in the second equation. (This proves that sl) Fo) Some) The music industry doesn't believe this, but some artists like Wilco do. Wilco is pro-choice when it comes to copyrighted material. They put up their album a single for download and to be pirated by their own free will. (Wh) Their sales shot through the roof and that single became their highest hit ever. The band, Wilco, received lots of money from fans that downloaded their album and wanted to support them, but they told them to send the money to a charity instead. The charity (Doctors) "Doctors Without Borders" received over $15,000 from Wilco fans. These facts clearly show that stealing hurts the music industry and that piracy can help artists majorly.

Amazed? With all the propoganda that the music industry puts out (most people never (see) get the chance to) comparing (m) piracy to stealing, most people can't tell the difference. (People need) Everyone needs to) The music industry needs to recognize the differences between theives and pirates intentions, distrobution and how they effect the (industry and) industry and embrace pirates piracy. If they took advantage of the benefits of piracy instead of (fighting) wasting thousands of dollars on frivolous lawsuits they could see themselves launched into a new era of prosperity.