Final "Exam" - Argument FRQ: The Value of Documentaries

Author, educator, and filmmaker Caty Borum Chattoo writes, “[Documentaries are] a vital, irreplaceable part of our storytelling culture and democratic discourse. By opening a portal into the depth of human experience, documentary storytelling contributes to strengthen our cultural moral compass.”

In a world where social issues are complex and widespread—from climate change to racial injustice, poverty to gender inequality—documentaries have become a powerful medium for exploring, explaining, and challenging the status quo. For teen audiences in particular, documentaries are often introduced in school or consumed through streaming platforms and social media, raising the question of their educational and civic value.

Write an essay that argues your position on the value of documentaries as a tool for highlighting social issues, particularly as they relate to teen audiences.

In your response, you should do the following:

• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.
• Provide evidence and commentary to support your claims.
• Explain the relationship between your evidence and your thesis.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical situation.
• Use appropriate grammar and style.

You may draw on your own experiences, observations, or readings—not only from documentaries you’ve seen, but also from school, history, current events, or other media.