Prompt for Final Argumentative Essay:
For this essay, you will choose a specific issue in which two credible parties have documented the following:
Clearly opposing positions, and
Clear agendas.
Remember, it must be a topic that you can make a well-reasoned, research supported argument about. You may argue for/against a stance, but you must argue.
Argument means “to make a claim about a debatable issue and to provide a reasoned defense of your claim” (CL 217).
You need at least 6 sources to support your argument; primary and/or secondary sources are both allowed.
Wikipedia, encyclopedias, dictionaries and reference texts do not count for required sources; however, they should still be cited if used.
To write a successful academic argument, you should:
Define your issue, demonstrating your awareness that you are entering a conversation that contains competing perspectives on the issue;
Make a focused claim about your issue i.e. an arguable thesis;
Provide reasons that support your thesis;
Provide evidence for each of your reasons (your own reasoning plus research if necessary);
Anticipate objections from people with other perspectives and provide refutations;
Be aware of the values and beliefs underlying your claims and reasons as well as the claims and reasons of competing perspectives.
There is a distinction between argument and persuasion. Academic argument is writing what you think and why. Classical persuasion adds what you think and why, plus trying to persuade your audience to agree with you. Your audience in this case is me, your professor; however, you should be more concerned with showing me that you can think logically, not necessarily persuading me to agree with you.
Length:6-7 pages
Format: Standard MLA. Typed, Times New Roman, Size 12 font, Double spaced, 1 inch margins. Please do not use footnotes for citations; use in-text citations and a Works Cited page at the end of the essay.
Please do not upload PDF files. Word Doc, Pages, or Google Docs are fine.
Before submitting your final publish, review this revision checklist. Course Objectives Practiced:
Analyze college level texts for rhetorical situation and appeals using active, critical reading strategies.
Demonstrate critical skills in analyzing non-fiction prose forms. Both a diversity and variety of sources should be considered.
Employ Information Technology including Internet resources and college resources such as library research databases and tutoring.
Compose college-level essays that demonstrate an understanding of genres and modes of development.
Compose a research paper that will analyze and synthesize information from different sources, demonstrate logical thinking, employ effective argumentation, and avoid logical fallacies. This composition should employ MLA Style documentation and avoid plagiarism.
Understand the writing process including pre-writing strategies, compositional techniques, publishing, and editing.
Demonstrate self-regulated learning skills, such as growth vs. fixed mindset, metacognition, and threshold concepts.
Course SLOs Practiced:
Write focused, coherently organized, well-developed texts, appropriate to the transfer level, that effectively integrate, synthesize, and document sources. Demonstrate critical reading, thinking, and research skills through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of important ideas encompassing multiple points of view.
Here is my publish down below no ai please
Jack Kocharyan English 101
11-13-24
College Tuition Should Be Free
High college tuition costs are a barrier for many students, preventing them from accessing the education they need to succeed. Over the years, these costs have risen sharply, forcing families into debt or pushing students to drop out of school entirely. This financial burden does not just affect individuals—it hurts society as a whole by limiting economic opportunities and reducing the number of skilled workers in the job market. To solve this problem, college tuition should be free. Free tuition would ensure equal access to education, reduce student debt, and build a stronger workforce, which would benefit the entire economy.
Equal Access to Education
Free college tuition would give everyone the chance to get an education, no matter their income. Right now, many low-income students are unable to attend college because they can’t afford it. By removing tuition costs, society could create a level playing field where education becomes a right for everyone, not just a privilege for a few. Research supports this: countries like Finland and Germany offer free tuition and have seen more students from low-income families complete college (Chang). This demonstrates that eliminating financial barriers can significantly reduce inequality and open doors for students who might otherwise be excluded.
Having a diverse student population also benefits society as a whole. When people from different economic and cultural backgrounds learn together, they build better understanding and cooperation. This diversity helps create a more inclusive environment, allowing students to share unique perspectives and learn from one another. For example, students from disadvantaged backgrounds often bring different viewpoints to the classroom, enriching discussions and fostering innovation. By ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to attend college, we can build stronger, more connected communities that benefit everyone—not just those who are financially privileged.
Additionally, education is a fundamental driver of social mobility. In the U.S., education is often referred to as the “great equalizer,” but high tuition costs have undermined this idea. Families with limited financial means are unable to support their children’s dreams of higher education, creating a cycle of poverty that is hard to break. Free tuition would restore the promise of education as a pathway to upward mobility, enabling students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to achieve their potential.
Reducing Student Debt
One of the biggest benefits of free tuition is that it would help reduce the crushing debt many students face after graduation. In the United States, the average student graduates with over $30,000 in debt (Hanson). For many, this financial burden takes decades to repay, forcing them to delay important life decisions like buying a home, starting a family, or opening a business. These delays don’t just harm the individuals—they have a ripple effect that slows down economic growth and development.
Debt-free graduates, on the other hand, are more likely to invest in their futures sooner. Without the weight of loan payments, they can use their income to purchase homes, support local businesses, and contribute to their communities. For instance, young entrepreneurs often struggle to secure loans to start their businesses because they are already saddled with student debt. By eliminating tuition, we empower graduates to take risks, innovate, and create new opportunities that benefit everyone. This isn’t just a theory; data shows that regions with lower levels of student debt tend to have higher rates of entrepreneurship and economic activity (Bissonnette).
Furthermore, student debt has long-term effects that go beyond financial constraints. It impacts mental health, with many borrowers reporting stress, anxiety, and even depression as a result of their loans. Eliminating tuition fees would alleviate this burden and allow students to focus on building fulfilling lives without the constant pressure of debt. This, in turn, would contribute to a healthier, more productive society.
A Stronger Workforce
A well-educated workforce is essential for any country to compete in today’s global economy. Employers need workers with specialized skills to keep up with advances in technology and global challenges. However, high tuition costs prevent many people from getting the degrees they need, leaving industries without the talent they require.
By making college tuition-free, more students would be able to complete their degrees, increasing the pool of qualified candidates for the workforce. Countries like Norway and South Korea, where higher education is affordable or free, have seen significant economic growth because they have a steady supply of skilled professionals (Deming). These nations have recognized that investing in education pays off in the long run, as it creates a more adaptable and innovative workforce.
The benefits extend beyond economic growth. An educated workforce leads to greater civic engagement, as college graduates are more likely to vote, volunteer, and participate in their communities. They are also better equipped to tackle global challenges, such as climate change and public health crises, thanks to the skills and knowledge they gain through higher education. By offering free tuition, we ensure that society has the expertise it needs to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Addressing Critics
Some people argue that free tuition would cost taxpayers too much and take funding away from other important areas like healthcare or infrastructure. Others worry that it could lead to wasteful spending by colleges if they don’t have to compete for tuition dollars (Rombardo). Critics also claim that free college might not yield a sufficient return on investment, particularly if students don’t graduate or fail to use their degrees in productive ways.
While these concerns are valid, the long-term benefits of free tuition far outweigh the costs. Research shows that a well-educated population creates a stronger economy, which ultimately generates more tax revenue and reduces reliance on social services (Kuwar). For example, educated individuals are more likely to secure high-paying jobs, which means they pay more in taxes. This increased revenue can offset the initial costs of providing free tuition.
Additionally, countries that have implemented free college programs, like Germany and Sweden, have demonstrated that the benefits extend far beyond economics. These nations report higher levels of social trust, lower unemployment rates, and greater overall happiness among their citizens (Delisle et al.). Free tuition fosters a sense of shared responsibility and investment in the future, making society as a whole more cohesive and resilient.
To address concerns about wasteful spending, governments could implement accountability measures to ensure that colleges use their resources efficiently. For example, funding could be tied to graduation rates or student outcomes, encouraging institutions to focus on delivering quality education rather than simply enrolling as many students as possible. By balancing financial oversight with accessibility, we can create a system that is both effective and equitable.
The Bigger Picture
Critics often focus on the immediate costs of free tuition, but they overlook the broader societal benefits. Education is not just a personal investment—it’s a public good that strengthens communities, reduces inequality, and drives innovation. By making college tuition-free, we’re not just helping individual students; we’re building a stronger, more prosperous society for everyone.
Moreover, free tuition aligns with the values of fairness and opportunity that are central to the American ideal. In a country that prides itself on the idea that anyone can succeed with hard work, it’s unacceptable that so many talented individuals are held back by financial barriers. By removing these barriers, we ensure that every student has a chance to achieve their potential and contribute to the common good.
Conclusion
Making college tuition-free would promote equality, reduce debt, and strengthen the economy. By ensuring that everyone has access to higher education, we can build a society where everyone has the chance to succeed. A generation of debt-free graduates would be able to invest in their futures and contribute to economic growth. At the same time, a well-educated workforce would keep the country competitive in a global market. Countries that have already adopted free college tuition show that this approach works, proving that education is not just an individual benefit but a public good. Investing in tuition-free college is an investment in a stronger, fairer future for everyone.
Work Cited
Brighouse, Harry, and Kailey Mullane. “What’s Wrong with Tuition‐Free Four‐Year Public College?” Educational Theory, vol. 73, no. 6, Wiley-Blackwell, Dec. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.12605.
Chang, Jenny. “Countries with Free College Education: 40 Statistics You Should Know in 2020.” Financesonline.com, 10 Mar. 2020, financesonline.com/free-college-education-statistics/.
Delisle, Jason, et al. Questioning the Case for Free College. 2020, files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED613582.pdf.
Deming, David J. The Economics of Free College. June 2019, econfip.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/the-economics-of-free-college.pdf.
Hanson, Melanie. “Average Student Loan Debt.” EducationData, 16 Aug. 2024, educationdata.org/average-student-loan-debt.
Jean François Bissonnette. “The Moral Economy of Student Debt: A Pharmacological Approach.” Social Science Information, SAGE Publishing, Aug. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1177/05390184241268512.
Kuwar, Puspa Raj. “Impact of Education on Economy.” Triyuga Academic Journal, vol. 2, Jan. 2021, pp. 46–51, https://doi.org/10.3126/taj.v2i1.45620.
Souto-Otero, Manuel, et al. “High Skilled Workplaces, Technological Change and Employment: Can Educational Reform Do It?” International Journal of Educational Research, vol. 122, Jan. 2023, p. 102265, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.102265.
No Ai please