Sample Homework Responses

Problem:  A confidential file containing the names of about 4000 AIDS patients was sent from a county health department to a newspaper, presumably by a disgruntled employee.  Would this have been more or less likely to have happened if the files were paper?

"This would be easier to spread the info through electronic files as opposed to paper files because then you can send it to more people faster."
Grade: F. 
The answer is much too brief.  A single sentence is not an adequate response for an essay question. 
The answer is off topic.  Arguing that electronic files can be sent "to more people" doesn't answer the question that says the files were sent to a newspaper, which is a single recipient.  The question isn't concerned about multiple recipients.
The answer has grammatical problems.  "This" should probably be replaced with "It."
"Info" is colloquial; use "information."

"A paper file containing 4000 names would be quite large and much more of a hassle for a person to physically take over to the newspaper."
Grade: C
If we assume there are 40 names per page, then the file would contain 100 pages.  I don't think most people consider 100 pages "quite large."  It would easily fit in a one-inch binder which presents no particular difficulty to physically carry.

 "It would have been less likely for the confidential information to have been released to the newspaper if the names had been in paper files because that would have required more work and time for the employee to go through each file.  Also the employee would have had a high chance of being caught because someone could have noticed him or her going through all the files, but with a computer what someone may be doing is more discreet."
Grade: B
This answer makes a key point about electronic theft being less noticeable than physical theft.  The answer is lacking in an explanation of why the employee has to "go through" each file.  The second sentence contains grammar inconsistencies in that it refers to "employee" in the first phrase, but "someone" in the second phrase.

"It would be more likely to happen if the names were on electronic files.  If it was on the Internet the ISP would have access to that information as well as anyone visiting the web site.  It would be impossible for individuals to control their personal information."
Grade: F
The question says nothing about the internet or web sites.   The questions is not about individuals controlling personal information but about an organization.

"The information of patients in large numbers was probably easier to access since it was stored in digital format.  There are various ways the information could be organized by the click of a button, rather than having to individually sort through each person's file."
Grade: B-
The answer is attempting to address a key issue but is too vague.  The issue isn't really about "organizing" information, it's about retrieving it.  "Click of a button" is a cliche.  An individual file is "searched," not "sorted."

"Since the files were electronic it is easier for someone to access them without drawing any attention."
Grade: C-
"Access" is only part of the problem.  The essential issue is "transporting" the data, not simply accessing it.  The phrase "drawing any attention" is incomplete. 
Grammar problems: "were" is past tense, "is" is present tense.  

"If the employee was persistent in revealing this information to the newspaper then the type of media, paper or electronic, doesn't matter.   Paper files can be copied and mailed, or faxed, and it may be more difficult to transmit that many names anonymously, but it could still be done."
Grade: D
This response doesn't really answer the question.  The question does not ask "would it be possible."  The question asks "would it have been more or less likely?"  The response hints that it would be less likely by saying it would be "more difficult" with paper files, but fails to explain why.  The issue of anonymity is moot; paper mail can be sent anonymously just as easily as e-mail.

"Paper files would be large in size and take time to compile. An electronic file can be discreet and can be sent instantaneously.  The electronic files would simply be easier to acquire and send because it does not exist physically in space."
Grade: C
This answer doesn't give the details about why "large in size" is an important factor, and it doesn't explain why they would take time to compile. Grammar and usage problems; "discreet" isn't the best word choice.  Plural/singular mismatch (files/it).

"It is more likely for such an act to take place with electronic files due to the ability to send them across the internet in a discreet manner. Paper files would physically be difficult to remove from a building without causing suspicion and their disappearance would more likely be noticed."
Grade: B
This is a reasonably good answer, but it overlooks the fact that paper files can be reproduced.  Only the duplicates need to be removed and thus the originals won't "disappear."  This answer isn't as fully developed as a complete answer would be.

"Paper files would make this action less likely to happen.  The biggest reason is due to sheer volume.  Sending 4000 names by mail would be slower and more work."
Grade: B
This answer addresses a key issue, but needs more explanation.  If the employee has a printout of 4000 names it isn't that difficult to put it in an envelope and drop it in the mail.  A better response would include more detail and mention other significant factors as well.  The writing uses a "bullet point" style instead of an essay.

"It is less likely for such an act to take place with paper files.  The question implies that each patient had a separate file. Most likely only a fraction of the people in the health department files were AIDS patients and searching through thousands of paper files to identify those that are AIDS patients would be a very time-consuming endeavor.  The question implies that a single file was sent to the newspaper, so even if all the AIDS patient files were easy to identify, there is still the laborious task of transcribing each name from the files onto a separate list.  However, if the patient files were in an electronic database it would be simply to select only those who are tagged as AIDS patients. Another factor is that it would be much more difficult to disguise one's actions as one combed through a cabinet of patient files, or stood in front of a copy machine with 4000 files.  Particularly if the files are "confidential" as stated in the question, someone spending an inordinate amount of time looking at those files would probably arouse suspicion.  Lastly, though it is a minor issue, the names can be transmitted in electronic format, either on a disk or by e-mail, more quickly and with less cost than sending a physical list through the postal system.
Grade: A
This response presents a complete answer discussing all the relevant factors and includes appropriate explanations.
Minor grammar errors; "simply" instead of "simple,"  inconsistent pronoun usage.