Description
In Essay #2, write an essay that makes a thesis-based argument about education. Your essay must respond specifically to at least one of the assigned articles from Ch. 14. You will choose the audience for your essay, but remember: your job is to "enter the conversation" about education begun by your sources.
Assigned articles from Ch. 14:
"Who Are You and What Are You Doing Here? A Word to the Incoming Class." by Mark Edmundson
"why American Schools Are Even More Unequal Than We Thought" by Susan Dynarski
Your essay should include all of the following features:
- A precise thesis, or main claim
- A clearly defined audience
- Direct quotations or paraphrases of at least 1 article from Ch. 14 of From Inquiry to Academic Writing
Your instructor may provide more specific instructions for this assignment -- check the Announcements for any updates or changes.
GUIDELINES FOR ESSAY #2
Length: approximately 800-1,000 words
Style/Format: This, as all essays in EN106, should be formatted in a standard scholarly format. (Most students follow MLA or APA guidelines, which are outlined in Easy Writer.) No matter what format you follow, be sure to do the following:
- Use 12 point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced.
- Use 1-inch margins top, bottom, and sides.
- Although no cover page is needed, you should include your name, my name, the course number/title, and date at the upper left-hand corner of the manuscript.
References: Your essay must use at least one source -- the article from Ch. 14 that has begun the conversation. Most likely, you will also refer to additional outside sources. For each source you cite or reference in your essay, include in-text citations, using MLA or APA guidelines.
File format: Please submit your essay as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file. These formats are available in most word processors, including Google Docs and Open Office, and will ensure that your instructor is able to comment on your work.
Works Cited/References: Please create an appropriate bibliography that lists each source you cite or reference in your essay. Use MLA or APA guidelines for your bibliography.
Titles: Include a descriptive title at the beginning of your essay that tips your readers off to your thesis. Do not format your title with quotation marks, boldface, underlining or italics. Quotation marks or underlining are only appropriate if the title borrows words from another source.
Use of essays for future courses: Please understand that your essay may be used— anonymously—as a sample for future EN106 students and instructors unless you expressly request that it not be used. Your work, of course, will only be used for educational purposes.
Assessment: See the Grading and Assessment content item under Course Information.
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Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: UNIT 3 ESSAY #2
1
The Purpose of Education
Student Name
Institution Affiliation
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Date
UNIT 3 ESSAY #2
2
Introduction
The purpose of education is arguably among the most debated topics around the world.
Despite being widely discussed, most people seem to misinterpret or get the point wrong. While
others view education as a tool for success, others have very specific opinions and perceive
education as an opportunity to get good grades, proceed to college, and finally get a good job.
Therefore, in this context the discussion below focuses on the argument that although a lot of
commentators on the goals of education argue that the purpose of education is for the student to
acquire the best grades and secure employment in a prestigious company, critical consideration
of the issue reveals so much more about education. Hence, the discussion below expands the
scope of the real purpose of education.
Arguably, Mark Edmundson asserts that university is seen as a means to the end which is
usually perceived to lead to high paying jobs for the university students. In his own words,
Edmundson says that “students want the credentials that will help them get ahead. They want the
certificate that will grant them access to Wall Street, or entrance into law or medical or business
school. And how can we blame them?” (Edmundson, 2014). When students attend school, they
focus on getting the credentials that would enable them to progress either to law school, Wall
Street, business or even medical school. The perception about education as just a means to
success is exhibited in the students’ behavior especially in the university but is deeply rooted in
the whole American society. America is a society that has high regard for money and power. The
absence of the two is usually equated to failure. This perception cannot be entirely dismissed, but
it is much narrow scope about success. Rather success should include su...
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