“Against School”
English IV Honors Diagnostic Essay 2020
Education has become a controversial topic. Parents, students, lawmakers, and even some educators, have become very vocal speaking out against how America educates its children. Everyone has an argument, and the result seems to be a veritable “dumbing down of America.”
The essay gives you an opportunity to show how effectively you can read and comprehend a passage and write an essay analyzing the passage. In your essay, you should demonstrate that you have read the passage carefully, present a clear and logical analysis, and use language precisely.[unique_solution]
As you read the passage, consider how John Taylor Gatto uses:
- evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
- reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
- stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.
Write an essay in which you explain how John Taylor Gatto builds an argument to persuade his audience that public education cripples American students. In your essay, analyze how Gatto uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage.
Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Gatto’s claims, but rather explain how Gatto builds an argument to persuade his audience.
Logistics:
- MLA format
- Works Cited page
- Written in third person
- In-text citations
- Must be written in Google Docs and submitted through Google Classroom
Remember: I am using the originality checker. Don’t plagiarize.