Instructions of what to do with the essay below:

Part one: After reviewing Chapters 21 and 27 of the KU Guide to Successful Writing, select one of the sample informative essays in either chapter and write a brief paragraph in which you explore what you think is effective (or ineffective) in the thesis, development, grammar and use of sources in this essay. How might reading this sample essay help you with making final revisions to your Final Project essay?

Essay on Consequences of Sexually Active Teens

Julie H. is a 15-year-old girl on the brink of a new adventure. She isa sophomore in high school, plays the flute in the school band, isinvolved in the drama club, and although she might seem like oneof the last girls to deliver this news, she is also five months pregnant.She is having the baby, a decision that is supported by herparents, but her life is forever changed. The consequences someadolescents like Julie face when they decide to become sexuallyactive can include pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases anddepression.

One obvious consequence teens face when they become sexuallyactive is pregnancy. Pregnancy at any age can be taxing on thebody and spirit; however, adding in a third factor-lack of maturityin most adolescents-can create a disastrous combination. Accordingto Brenda Smith, author of "The Many Consequences of TeenPregnancy," the risks associated with teenage pregnancy can besevere.

Smith states, "Pregnant teens are prone to giving birth to prematurebabies, struggling with depression, and experiencing socioeconomicand economic hardships."A recent poll conducted by The National Center for TeenagePregnancy indicates that recent years, 2008-2009, have seen arise in the number of teenage pregnancies, from 30 out of 1,000teens to 50 out of 1,000 teens reporting pregnancies. In additionto this increase, the results of the poll also show that 25 percentof pregnant teens have another child within one or two yearsof their first.

What do these statistics mean for pregnant teens? Brenda Frank,director of the Chicago chapter of Planned Parenthood, paints ableak future for many pregnant teens:"Teen mothers typically miss out on the educational benefitsexperienced by their classmates as only about one-third ofteenage mothers graduate from high school. In addition to notcompleting high school, teen mothers are susceptible to gettinginvolved with drugs and alcohol, struggle with poverty in part dueto low earning potential of their babies' fathers, and are moresusceptible to contract a sexually transmitted disease than moremature mothers."

Frank goes on to explain that the issues surrounding teenpregnancy are not limited to teen mothers. Rather, teen fathers alsoshare a big portion of the burden, as does society as a whole. Yearly,teen pregnancies cost nearly $8 billion total in lost tax revenues,public assistance, child health care and involvement with the criminaljustice system.

Dr. Peter Young, professor of psychology at Illinois University,brings up perhaps a less obvious but no less disturbing consequenceof early sexual activity-depression:"Sexually active teens do not necessarily succumb to depression,but there is evidence that shows the age by which a teen firstbecomes sexually active as well as the type of partner he or shechooses can cause depression in some teenagers."

Both teenage boys and girls can experience symptoms ofdepression as well as think suicidal thoughts when they first havesex before age 16 for girls and age 15 for boys. In addition, if anadolescent relationship ends quickly after a sexual encounter, oris not emotionally fulfilling, teens are more likely to go through anextended period of depression or contemplate suicide.