Sample Essay On Turning Over A New Leaf

Primary Sources: Ted talks

Persuasive Thesis: While some may think that a prisoner should never leave a prison because a criminal can never mend his ways, it is irrefutable that turning over a new leaf is possible at all times and it is never too late to do something right.
Quote 1: Jeff Smith, an ex-prisoner, says (Smith): “It's a lot harder than you might think. Contrary to what most people think, people don't pay, taxpayers don't pay, for your life when you're in prison. You've got to pay for your own life.” (Smith, 2012)
Analysis 1: By going through this strength-testing time, the prisoners usually learn how to fend for themselves by employing the right methods. They realize that they are capable of earning lawfully also.
Quote 2: “But when I came out, I vowed that I was going to do whatever I could to make sure that guys like the ones I was locked up with didn't have to waste any more of their life than they already had.”
Analysis 2: Jeff Smith witnessed the entrepreneurial skills of many of the inmates of the prison and realized that there was a lot of untapped potentials. He realized that if this potential was not paid any attention, it would again be employed for illegal activities once the prisoners attain freedom. Therefore, Smith has decided to help these prisoners. Therefore, Smith has turned over a new leaf and did not wait too long to do something right. After all, it is always the time to do something right.

Work Cited

Smith, Jeff. “Lessons in businessfrom prison.”Ted.com. TED Conferences, LLC, December 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.