Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on public health.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

Let's discuss public health communication strategies. Some campaigns use 'fear appeals'—graphic images or shocking statistics—to discourage unhealthy behaviors like smoking or reckless driving. The idea is that fear will motivate people to change. However, some researchers argue that these tactics can be counterproductive, causing people to feel anxious or simply ignore the message. Do you believe fear-based campaigns are an effective way to promote public health? Why?

Student response 1:

Yes, I think fear-based campaigns can be very effective. They grab people's attention and make the risks feel real and immediate. For instance, a graphic image on a cigarette pack is hard to ignore. As a result, some people might be shocked into reconsidering their unhealthy habits.

Student response 2:

I don't think they work well in the long run. While these ads are shocking at first, people can become desensitized to them over time. A better approach would be to focus on positive messages, because emphasizing the benefits of healthy choices often provides more lasting motivation.