Name:
Mrs. Garrard
EN54
Senior Argument Prompt
Close Reading
For your Paperback Literature Argumentative Writing Sample this quarter you will be addressing the
question of whether college is worth the cost. Before we start thinking about writing, we will read about
the topic. The two sources you have been provided offer opinions on either side of the issue. You will
complete a close reading activity for each of the articles today, and we will begin to look at the written
response tomorrow in addition to returning to Lord of the Flies.
Directions:
A. Read each of the Sources. As you read, complete each of the following steps.
1. Number the paragraphs. (Source A has 4 paragraphs; Source B has 6 paragraphs.)
2. Circle the author’s name for each source.
3. Circle the names of individuals and organizations used to provide evidence in each source. (For
example: Alan Blinder provides evidence in paragraph 3 of Source A.)
4. Underline statements that suggest college is worth the cost.
5. Double underline statements that suggest that college is not worth the cost. (You may also
highlight instead of underlining. If you highlight, provide a key that shows which color is in
support of attending college and which is against.)
B. Complete the following three statements and you are done for today!
1.
, the author of Source A, believes that
.
2.
, the author of Source B, believes that
.
3. After reading both articles, I believe that college (is or isn’t) worth the cost because
.