The Rich and the Rest of Us: Argumentative Essay #1

Your next essay will be an argumentative essay; meaning your focus should express an opinion about the topic you choose and the essay should work towards proving your opinion. You will not get a passing grade on this paper if your paragraphs are not in PIE form. You will also be in danger of not receiving a passing grade on this paper if your paragraphs ramble and consist of more than one topic. This paper will have an introduction and conclusion. This essay will be 4 pages, BRNDJTM.

You will not be using any outside resources for this paper. The only illustrations you may use must be from the book, The Rich and The Rest of us, and the documentaries we watched in class Park Avenue and “9 Out Of 10 Americans Are Completely Wrong About This Mind-Blowing Fact.” You will need a minimum of 3 quotes from the book. You will not be able to use personal experience or story as your illustrations.

Another twist, we are going to practice metaphor and simile. These two writing tools allow you to insert small bits of description into your essays as well as force you, the writer, to dig deeper into what you are trying to express. You will need to include 1 metaphor and 1 simile somewhere in your essay.

The topics you have to choose from are the following:

·       The Extremely Wealthy—the beliefs of the 1%

·       The Growth of the Poverty Class—Extinction of the Middle Class

You must have “right-sized” topic sentences at the start of each paragraph. Remember, to rule of three your topics and assess if your topic sentences are too general, have multiple ideas mashed together or are “too big” (which is usually a combination of both the problems listed before). To get a “right-sized” topic sentence make sure your topic states specifically who or what you are talking about and why it is important.

Your essay must be in MLA format, typed, double-spaced, and include a works cited page. Be sure to get the MLA format right because I will deduct points if it is incorrect. Look on purdueowl.com if you need assistance.

List of what I will be looking for:

*      If the opinion stated in your thesis, at the end of your introduction, is supported by your paper

*      If your paragraphs are in PIE form

*      If you went into critical analysis and/or metacognition after your Illustrations

*      If your topic sentences are right-sized

*      1 metaphor

*      1 simile

*      3 quotes from the book

*      MLA format

*      4 pages

A complete, 4-page, final draft will be due on Tuesday, Dec. 3. You must bring two printed copies to class. If you do not bring a final draft on Dec 3, your final essay grade will be knocked down two letter grades.

The final essay is due on Thursday, Dec. 5.