Directions

Read the article “Piracy Gave Me a Future” by Daniel Starkey.  Write an essay in response to one of the prompts listed below.  The essay should be between 350-500 words in length and your essay should meet the following criteria:

1. Have a clear introduction that states the main theme or thesis of the essay
2. Have a clear beginning, middle and end.
3. Makes explicit reference to both the reading and to your own/others’ experience with the topic.
4. Provide enough detailed discussion of ideas so that a reader could learn something significant about your thinking on this topic
5. Use proof reading and editing effectively so that your surface error rate (grammar, spelling, punctuation) does not interfere with a reader’s understanding.

Your essay should address one of the prompts listed below.

1. The article poses the moral dilemma of doing something illegal for his own growth and prosperity—that, in a way, he deserved to pirate games on the internet. Based on your own experience, do you agree or disagree with the author? Be sure to reference the reading directly.
2. According to the article, the author says that piracy helped get him out of poverty. Compare and/or contrast his experience with your own. Has there been something that helped you get out of situation? Be sure to make direct reference to the reading.

A handout of this resource is available here.