FSA ELA Argumentative Prompt from Florida Department of Education Website

Two Lawyers Conversing, Honore Daumier (1860s)

Writing Prompt:
(from the Florida Department of Education website)

It’s no secret that sometimes great discoveries come as a result of really big mistakes. But are they always worth the problems they cause? Sometimes the mistakes lead to greatness, and sometimes they lead to disaster. Are mistakes key to making discoveries?

Write an essay in which you take a position on whether or not mistakes are a key part of discovery. Use the information presented in the passages to support your points. Make sure to include information from all the passages in your essay.

Manage your time carefully so that you can

• read the passages;
• plan your essay;
• write your essay; and
• revise and edit your essay.

Be sure to

• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.

Your written response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Remember to spend time reading, planning, writing, revising, and editing.

Type your answer in the space provided.