Introduction D

This is not an exam introduction. It is much too long and looks more like a research essay introduction. It begins with general statements about population and resources which are background information. The professor does not need background because he knows exactly what the issue is. A research essay introduction usually includes background information because the student usually has more freedom to choose a topic, so must give the reader more context.

1. Definitions

The second, third and fourth sentences together give very clear definitions, but they are much too long. The second sentence is unnecessary because it only identifies the key concepts. Simply using 'peasant system' and 'plantation system' as subjects of the definitions achieves the same purpose much more succinctly. The third and fourth sentences should be joined with a contrast indicator such as 'while' or 'whereas' to show that the answer is directly comparing the two, as instructed in the question.

2. Thesis statement

There is no thesis statement. A final sentence is required which indicates what the overall conclusion and the main areas in which the two can be compared.

D.

Because of rapid population growth and declining resources, maximising agricultural productivity is a high priority, especially in developing countries. There are two main agricultural production systems: the small family farm system and the plantation system. The former is a small unit of production based on unpaid family labor of low employment opportunity costs and on the mechanism of self-supervision by trust and cooperation. The latter is a large unit of production for commercial crops based on hired labor and hierarchical supervision.