Classical Argument Structure

Swann 1

Anna Swann

Mrs. Lutterbie

ENG 112

16 February 2022

Yes to Gen Ed (fix title)

Enter fact hook. People have been in a controversial debate for years on whether students should be required to take general education courses. “Well rounded” people have better chances at being hired for positions in a workplace. Gen ed classes also creates a larger timeframe and gives more space to students to figure out what they want to achieve in life. While the college system is not perfect, it should be considered for some type of reform, as some skeptics argue students should not be required to take general education courses. General education courses help shape students to have higher comprehension and develop critical, core skills necessary to advance in the real world.

Epstein mentions in “General Education Has a Bad Rap,” how “development is not linear,” He explains not all students think and develop the same. Most students have a weak point in their mental process. For example, a student may not be the best at solving math problems, but great at remembering historic activities and events, while their sibling may be the opposite. Development affects the way a person thinks mentally and grows physically. It is not a straight line, and most people create a zig-zag pattern in life. Few may even go backwards at times. General education courses can help develop the necessary critical thinking skills for jobs and increase a person’s performance. Classes would introduce new ways of thinking for students that would help aid in their daily performance. Employees must be prepared to adapt to wicked work environments, where “work next year might not look like work last year,” (Epstein). Give example and explain. Transition sentence here.

A well rounded *(sp) work employee would also have more flexibility in a changeable work environment. Employers are now seeking out possible employees who are more T-shaped. “People with start-up experience… have initiative and persistence to keep going in the face of adversity,” Jim Spohrer said in an interview with Selingo (sp). T-shaped people are equivalent to well rounded* folks, except T-shaped employees specialize slightly more in one particular subject. Selingo stated how, after some research, businesses were more likely to hire those right off the bat from a start-up than a university. Those from a start-up had a wider field to be trained on, and more to learn as they go. Someone from a university would already have their own liking in how to work and would be harder to train in the way a business prefers to accomplish. Give solid example – see notebook notes. Students have a wider timeframe to experience what interests them. Those who specialize early and achieve their “dream career/goal” often suffer from burnout easily. Transition sentence.

While general education courses are the basis for college for years, opponents argue how general education courses should not be required. Explain why they think so. The reasoning behind the required gen ed courses have been in place for various reasons, and while the system is not perfect, it is working. 43.4 million borrowers have federal student loan debt (Hanson). Without a doubt, student loan debts are absurdly high and continue to skyrocket, and it takes students years to finally pay them off. Introduce reform options. From 2011-2021, student loan debt has increased 182% in trillions (Hanson). A reform to the education system could significantly lower the number and increase student’s happiness. Geiman explains in “The Psychological Toll of Student Debt,” how college debt affects a student’s mental approach in life. Over 300,000 students felt suicidal just over student debt alone (Cite here?). A reform could be just what a student needed to change their life.

Brain does not develop yet until age 25; need to exercise our brain etc (add in first paragraph and resesarch)

General education courses are important for students and critical for our thinking skills. Employers prefer the “well-rounded” and “t-shaped” rather than early specializers. Gen ed classes help improve our day to day thinking and introduces us to new ways of problem-solving. While the system is not perfect and can use modification, I believe it gen ed courses should continue to remain a requirement to pursue a higher degree. (fix profound statement)