Question

I am writing a three source essay to argument about issues regarding education. The three articles the information has to come from are:

What a college education buys. by Christopher Caldwell

What college can mean to the other America. by Mike Rose

The third education revolution. by Jeffrey Selingo

How do I even start the introduction paragraph to hook the reader in while introducing the topic. And what would the thesis be that would include

the main idea, evidence and analysis, and arguable??? I think I can do the rest if you can help me with my introduction paragraph and thesis.

Please Help

Answer 1

First and foremost, read all the three articles really well. Read each of them thoroughly atleast two times, and after reading each one of them, create outlines. Outlines mean the key points that you found the most interesting or disturbing in an article. Make notes of the other relevant points that can support your main outlines. Your essay will consist of the things that are the main problems with the education system in America (the ones that you found in all the 3 articles) For example, In What College Can Mean to Other America, the authors talks about the people who are already poor and can't even afford college - this can be one of your outlines. Give arguments in support of your outlines.

And, always read more. Having more knowledge about the subject will always help. Give examples, a lot of people when reach 30 or 40 years of age, are still in college debt. It can also add to the stress of a person. Family expenses get cut down, and low income doesn't help. You can also write about it's psychological affects on a person and since college education is expensive - how this can affect a society as a whole.

As for the main idea, your outlines will be the main ideas.

Find the problems.

Find the root causes of the problems.

Support them with valid points.

Give examples.

The conclusion will be based on your understanding of all the 3 articles. And since you've read the 3 articles well, you'll have your analysis ready in no time.

And as for the introduction, hit the readers with the strongest key points of the issues in just the first paragraph. However, don't answer them yet, and start giving the introduction step by step ( or in the next paragraph).

Always write about what you're going to explain next. Give headings! And simplify everything.

When you simplify the content it's not only easier to write but also easier to understand.

Good luck.