Essay 1 Assignment
Essay Assignment 1
Prompt
Find an argument
oadly related to capitalism that you disagree with. Explain the argument
and offer your own argument against their position. The argument can be a single article or
explained across a series of articles - primary sources are best, but you can also find
secondary sources that explain the argument (for example, if you found an article that
summarizes Thomas Piketty’s book on inequality that would be an acceptable substitute to
eading the whole book). You do not have to (and should not) argue against everything your
chosen intellectual has ever written, but rather na
ow it down to one specific point that you
can effectively argue against in a short essay.
Requirements
1. Your chosen argument does not have to be from an economist or even an academic, but it
should be relatively rigorous - choose something from a reputable source. You may not
choose an argument from a politician. You also cannot pick an argument from Keynes,
Hayek, Mises, Marx, Lange, or Lerner (or an argument primarily based on the work of one
of these individuals -
ief mentions are ok) and you cannot do Milton Friedman’s essay
“The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits” or arguments related to this
essay (but other Milton Friedman arguments are fine).
2. It might make sense to think about a topic that interests you to help na
ow down your
search. For example, google searches of “capitalism healthcare”, “capitalism education”,
and “capitalism inequality”
ing up many options (feel free to go even more specific than
that!). Don’t necessarily choose the first article you find. Make sure the argument comes
from a reputable source and that there is enough substance to write about it for 3-4 pages.
3. You will probably have an easier time if there is at least some common ground between
your view and the idea you are arguing against. If you think the opposing ideas are totally
absurd it will be difficult to find points that are convincing to somebody who believes them.
You need to truly understand the other side’s arguments in order to effectively argue
against them.
4. By the end of your first paragraph, you should have a clear statement of your thesis - what
is the idea you disagree with and why do you disagree with it.
5. Make sure that you spend a good deal of time explaining the opposing argument. I should
e able to understand what the other side is saying without going to the original source.
6. In addition to sources related to your chosen argument, you must cite at least two other
sources (this can include citing data that supports your argument).
7. Paper should be at least 3 pages and no more than 4 (double spaced, 12 point font, 1 inch
margins). You cannot go over the 4 page limit.
8. Your rough draft should be submitted on Bruin Learn and given to your two peer review
partners. The rough draft does not have to be fully polished, but it must be complete.
9. Peer reviews will be due 24 hours after the rough draft is turned in. Please refer to the Peer
Review questions.
Grading
Total - 200 points
Peer Review/Rough Draft - 50 Points
10 points - Submitted complete rough draft on time and sent to two peer reviewers
40 points - Participated in peer review and provided substantive comments to your peers.
Please view the lecture and peer review questions for my expectations regarding peer review.
(Your peer review comments will be graded separately by the grader for this class and the
grade for these 50 points will appear together on Bruin Learn)
Final Draft - 150 Points
30 points - Introduction paragraph clearly introduces the chosen intellectual and includes a
clear statement of your thesis that explains what the chosen intellectual’s argument is and why
you disagree with it. At the end of the introduction, I will ask myself if I think I have a pretty
good idea of what the essay will be arguing. If I can’t answer yes to that question, you will not
do well in this category.
45 points - Essay includes a full description of the chosen opposing argument. Essays scoring
high points in this category will demonstrate a strong understanding of the other side’s views
and an ability to describe these views in their own words clearly and concisely. Strong essays
will also make an effort to give a fair reading to the thinker even though they disagree with their
point of view. Do not argue against a straw man.
60 points - Essay offers a clear criticism of the chosen argument. You do not have to disagree
with their position entirely, but you must point out the deficiencies you find in their analysis.
Strong essays will effectively synthesize at least 2 additional sources into their analysis (without
simply restating the arguments of other thinkers) as well as consider potential
counterarguments. Be sure that your argument relates back to the
oader topic of capitalism.
15 points - Essay is logically organized and thoughtfully written. You will not be graded on
grammar or style, but the argument needs to make sense. Each paragraph should have a
consistent topic, and ideas should be connected in a logical way.
Scoring Guidelines:
Intro/Thesis Description of
Position
Argument Organization
Structure
Overall Score
A XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX+
A XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
A XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
B XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
B XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX