New Grading Template for Both Classes:
3 Essays, 200 points each, 600
8 building blocks, 50 points each, 400
Total: 1,000 points
For 1A:
You will use essays 1-3.
For 1C:
You will use essays 1, 2, and 4.
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Passion Essay 1 and Building Blocks:
The first building block paragraph is the essay’s hook, titled “Blinded by Passion.” In this 400-word paragraph, students describe someone they know who, driven by passion alone, pursued a career without critically assessing personal weaknesses or the demands of the field. This person’s story serves as a cautionary example of how passion alone can lead to career disillusionment or stagnation.
Assignment Instructions:
- Brainstorming: Start by listing several people you know who let passion drive their career choice. Choose the person who best exemplifies someone who, blinded by passion, failed to recognize the practical skills and level of expertise required for success, ultimately struggling to achieve stability or growth.
- Backstory: Bring this person to life with a brief backstory. Describe their personality, motivations, and what drew them so strongly to this path. Give details to help readers understand what makes this person “tick” and why they were so devoted to their dream.
- Detailed Setting and Incident Description: Paint a vivid picture of this person’s journey as they struggled to make their passion sustainable. Describe key incidents that show how they held on despite growing signs of failure. Finally, explain what ultimately shook them from their dream and where they are today.
This approach allows students to engage with Newport’s ideas through real-life stories, setting a personal and compelling foundation for a broader argument about career paths and the value of skills over pure passion.
Example: The Actor
Stanley was the poster child for the “follow your dreams” brigade, the kind of guy who believed that sheer persistence could bend the universe to his will. After donning his cap and gown in 1977, he traded high school for a few acting classes at the local community college. But, like any good dreamer, he quickly ditched the books for the glitz of Los Angeles. The 1980s became a blur of waiting tables and pouring his hard-earned cash into an endless parade of coaches, mentors, acting gurus, body language wizards, voice instructors, and New Age quacks. Each promised to unlock his hidden potential, the golden key to Hollywood stardom. His career? A smattering of forgettable bit parts—just enough to keep him hooked, like a gambler down to his last chip but convinced the jackpot was one spin away.
The 1990s brought a flicker of hope when he rubbed elbows with a few film directors who dangled the promise of bigger roles just out of reach. Feeding on this pipe dream while squatting in a squalid apartment that could’ve doubled as a set for a horror movie, Stanley clung to the delusion that tenacity alone would guarantee his big break. So, he soldiered on for another two decades, living in a cockroach-infested hellhole in downtown L.A., where the American Dream had apparently taken a wrong turn and ended up on Skid Row. To keep the lights on, Stanley sold his plasma and kneaded strangers’ backs as a masseuse—until arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome turned his hands into gnarled claws better suited for a Halloween costume than a massage parlor.
By the time he hit 60 in 2018, life had turned into a cruel joke. Strep throat hit him like a freight train, and without health insurance or a cent to his name, he couldn’t afford the antibiotics that might have saved him. Curled into the fetal position on a bare mattress, Stanley lay there as the roaches marched over him like they owned the place—because, let’s face it, they probably did. He sobbed, realizing that the American Dream had sold him a lemon.
Four decades of relentless pursuit had left him with nothing but a pile of broken promises and a life as sour as curdled milk. His dreams hadn’t just failed—they’d soured into the rancid sludge you’d find at the bottom of a dumpster.
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For their second building block, students will write a paragraph that defines the adolescent infatuation with “passion”—the kind that feels more like a fever dream than a viable career path. Many youthful “passions” are expressions of excitement, escapism, or fantasy rather than a true foundation for future success. This 300-word paragraph, titled “The Unreliable Fever Dream of Passion,” challenges students to examine a personal passion from their teenage years that was more worthy of a crazed fever dream than a viable career aspiration, contrasting it with Cal Newport’s idea of a “career craftsman mindset.” This type of crazed passion will be the result of my students interviewing one of their classmates.
Assignment: “The Unreliable Fever Dream of Passion” – A Classmate Interview Exercise
For this assignment, you’ll work with a partner to explore the adolescent experience of “passion”—the kind that, in hindsight, feels more like a wild fever dream than a sustainable career path. Your task is to write a 300-word paragraph titled “The Unreliable Fever Dream of Passion,” where you define a past infatuation of your partner’s that seemed life-altering in their teenage years but, with time and perspective, appears more rooted in fantasy or escapism than in genuine career potential.
Step 1: Conducting the Interview
With your partner, go through the list of interview questions below. Your goal is to uncover a teenage passion that now feels impractical, fleeting, or even humorous. Listen closely, take notes, and ask follow-up questions to get the full picture.
Interview Questions
- What was a passion or dream you had in your teenage years that felt intense at the time?
- Describe the moment or experience that sparked this passion. What about it felt so captivating?
- At the height of this passion, how did you imagine your life would look if you pursued it?
- Looking back, what parts of this dream now feel impractical, extreme, or amusing?
- Did you imagine any obstacles, or was the vision mostly rosy and idealized?
- How did your friends and family react to this passion? Did they support it or find it unrealistic?
- How do you feel now about that passion? Does any part of it still inspire you, or does it feel fully in the past?
- How does this youthful passion compare with what Cal Newport calls a “career craftsman mindset,” where skill-building and practicality are prioritized over intense, fleeting excitement?
Step 2: Writing the Paragraph
Use the information from your interview to write a 300-word paragraph that captures your partner’s experience of this feverish passion. Make sure to:
- Define the passion itself and explain its appeal during their teenage years.
- Describe why it was ultimately an unreliable foundation for a career, weaving in insights on escapism, idealism, or fantasy.
- Draw a contrast with Newport’s “career craftsman mindset,” suggesting why a sustainable career path may benefit more from skills and patience than from intense but fleeting passion.
This paragraph should reflect your partner’s journey from the fervor of youthful passion to a more balanced perspective on career and fulfillment. Consider including a memorable quote from your partner that captures the passion in their own words, adding a touch of authenticity to your narrative.
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For their third building block, which will be two paragraphs, they need to interview someone who has advanced in their career and can talk about the role of passion vs. having a “craftsman career mindset.” Additionally, this person should address the idea that the origins of their career were more complex than having a passion. There were surprise twists and turns, a window of opportunity that they took, and a sense of job satisfaction that came more from competence and excellence than passion.
Assignment: “The Evolution of Passion and the Craftsman Career Mindset” – An Interview Reflection
For this assignment, you’ll conduct an interview with someone who has established themselves in their career. Your goal is to explore their perspective on the role of passion versus a “craftsman career mindset,” where satisfaction and success are more rooted in skill development, excellence, and adaptability than in a singular, fiery passion.
Based on your interview, you’ll write two 300-word paragraphs, each capturing a different aspect of the interviewee’s career journey.
Step 1: Conducting the Interview
Use the questions below to guide your conversation. Listen carefully, take notes, and ask follow-up questions to capture detailed insights into their career journey, including any unexpected opportunities and how their perspective on “passion” evolved over time.
Interview Questions
- What originally sparked your interest in your current career field? Was it a specific “passion,” or did other factors play a role?
- How did your early career expectations differ from the reality you experienced as you progressed?
- Describe a pivotal twist, opportunity, or unexpected event that significantly impacted your career path.
- How has your relationship with “passion” for your work evolved over time? Did it stay constant, or did you find other sources of motivation and satisfaction?
- What role has developing your skills and competence played in your sense of career fulfillment?
- How would you describe the difference between “following your passion” and pursuing excellence in your work?
- Do you believe that job satisfaction comes more from feeling competent and skilled or from a sense of personal passion? Why?
- If you could give advice on balancing passion and skill development to someone starting out, what would it be?
Step 2: Writing the Paragraphs
Paragraph 1: The Role of Passion vs. the Craftsman Career Mindset
In this paragraph, summarize your interviewee’s thoughts on passion and the “craftsman career mindset.” Define their perspective on whether passion alone is enough or if developing skills and competence provides a deeper sense of satisfaction. Include any quotes or key insights that illustrate how they see the relationship between passion and mastery in their field.
Paragraph 2: The Journey and Unexpected Career Developments
In the second paragraph, focus on the interviewee’s career journey, particularly the unexpected twists, opportunities, and decisions that shaped their path. Describe how these elements complicated the idea of “following a passion” and instead pointed to a more complex evolution of interests, skills, and adaptability. Emphasize how they found career satisfaction through excellence and adaptability rather than a single, clear-cut passion.
These two paragraphs should together provide a thoughtful reflection on the balance between passion, skill development, and adaptability in a fulfilling career path. Consider including a closing insight from your interviewee that ties together their overall perspective, offering guidance for those starting out in their careers.
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Once the students have created these four paragraphs, they will have done half of the work toward their essay:
Argumentative Essay Assignment: “Passion vs. the Craftsman Career Mindset: A Path to Fulfillment?”
For this essay, you’ll critically examine Cal Newport’s claim that pursuing a career solely based on passion is a risky foundation and that adopting a “career craftsman mindset”—focused on developing skills, excellence, and adaptability—is a wiser, more fulfilling approach. Newport suggests that passion is unreliable, often distracting individuals from viable paths to success and satisfaction, whereas a focus on skill-building can lead to deeper fulfillment and career stability.
Assignment Requirements
Length: 1,700 words
Sources: Your essay should draw upon:
- “The Passion Trap” by Cal Newport
- “The Career Craftsman Manifesto” by Cal Newport
- Personal observation of someone you know who pursued a misguided passion, as an introduction.
- The interview you conducted on a “crazed” version of passion.
- The interview you conducted with someone advanced in their career who discussed their approach to developing skills and embracing a craftsman mindset.
- At least one outside source to support Newport’s viewpoint or provide a counter-perspective.
Structure: Organize your argument according to the suggested outline below, ensuring each section logically builds upon the previous one.
Essay Outline
- Introduction (1 paragraph)
Objective: Set the stage by sharing a personal observation of someone you know who pursued a misguided passion, ultimately leading to dissatisfaction or an unstable career. Briefly introduce Newport’s claim that passion alone is a precarious foundation for career success.
Content:
Describe the person you observed, including the passion they chased and the consequences of their pursuit.
State your thesis, indicating whether you agree with Newport’s claim that the career craftsman mindset is a wiser path.
- Body Paragraphs: Examination of Misguided Passion (2–3 paragraphs)
Objective: Analyze the concept of “crazed” passion as it applies to career choices, using insights from your interview.
Content:
Begin with your interview on a “crazed” version of passion, describing the way intense but misguided passion often blinds individuals to practicality or long-term viability.
Reflect on how the interviewee described the effects of this passion—did it lead to moments of excitement, but ultimately fade or leave them in a less fulfilling situation?
Use this example to support Newport’s claim that passion without substance or practicality is insufficient for building a sustainable career.
III. Body Paragraphs: The Craftsman Career Mindset (3–4 paragraphs)
Objective: Explore Newport’s idea of a “career craftsman mindset” and its potential benefits, drawing on insights from your second interview with a seasoned professional.
Content:
Discuss how the interviewee built their career by developing skills, seizing opportunities, and focusing on continual improvement rather than chasing a singular passion.
Highlight any specific twists and turns in their career path, illustrating that a successful career is often complex and not solely passion-driven.
Use their insights to explain how building competence and excellence in one’s field can provide long-term satisfaction and stability, aligning with Newport’s philosophy.
- Counterargument and Rebuttal (2 paragraphs)
Objective: Consider the opposing perspective that pursuing a passion can lead to both personal fulfillment and professional success, and respond to this viewpoint.
Content:
Present the counterargument: Many believe that without passion, work becomes dull and uninspiring, and that passion-driven individuals often bring enthusiasm and creativity to their work.
Rebut this argument by acknowledging the role of passion but emphasizing that, without skills and adaptability, passion alone may lead to burnout, frustration, or career instability.
Reference your interviews or Newport’s arguments to support your rebuttal that passion needs the structure of skill-building to be viable long-term.
- Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Objective: Summarize your argument and reflect on the balance between passion and craftsmanship.
Content:
Reinforce the idea that while passion has its place, a craftsman approach creates a more sustainable foundation for a fulfilling career.
End with a call to action, encouraging readers to think critically about the role of passion in their own careers, and to consider Newport’s advice about skill mastery and adaptability as the path to long-term satisfaction.
Tips for Success
- Use Specific Examples: Draw from your interviews and personal observations to ground Newport’s abstract ideas in concrete examples. Specific stories and quotes will strengthen your argument.
- Engage with the Counterargument: Show an understanding of the merits of pursuing passion, but use evidence from Newport’s philosophy, your interviews, and your own reasoning to refute it effectively.
- Develop a Strong Voice: Use this essay to experiment with a writing style that captures your unique perspective on Newport’s claims.
- Revise for Clarity and Depth: Reread your essay to ensure that your analysis is clear, well-structured, and compelling, with each paragraph building on the previous one toward a cohesive argument.
This assignment is designed to challenge you to think critically about career-building, reflect on the influence of passion, and engage with Newport’s “career craftsman mindset.” By combining personal insights with analytical depth, you’ll develop a well-rounded argument about finding purpose in work.
BB1 for 1A Career and Passion:
Personal Reflection Assignment: The Role of Standards in Your Education
In a world where technology like AI offers quick, easy solutions, it can be tempting to settle for "just good enough." For many students who are working jobs, managing personal responsibilities, and struggling to find time, the lure of efficiency and convenience can be powerful. But as your instructor, I’m faced with a dilemma: should I lower my standards to meet the demands of convenience and expediency, or should I challenge you to reach higher, to engage deeply, and to go beyond the quick fix?
Personal Reflection Prompt:
Think about a time when you faced a challenge that required you to choose between taking the easy route and striving for something more meaningful. This doesn’t have to be an academic experience; it could be in sports, a job, a hobby, or even a personal relationship. In 400 words, describe the situation and the factors that pushed you toward each option. Did you settle for what was convenient, or did you push yourself to pursue a more challenging, possibly more rewarding, path? What did you learn from this experience about yourself and your values?
For this reflection:
- Describe the Situation: Set the scene, sharing the context and the choices you were faced with. Why was one choice easier than the other?
- Discuss Your Decision Process: How did you weigh the pros and cons? Were there pressures—like time constraints, energy levels, or financial concerns—that made the easy route tempting?
- Reflect on the Outcome: What did you ultimately decide, and what were the results? Did your choice have lasting effects on your outlook, goals, or sense of satisfaction?
- Relate This to Your Education: How does this experience shape your views on the standards we set in school? What balance do you think is fair between convenience and quality in the learning process?
This 400-word reflection is an opportunity to explore not only how we make decisions in moments of challenge but also what we expect from ourselves and from our education. Consider this as a chance to think critically about the purpose of your studies and the role you see for AI and other tools in helping you reach—not just a passing grade—but your true potential.
Building Block 1 for 1A Social Media:
Writing Prompt: Lessons in Manners and Etiquette Beyond the Screen
Think back to a time when you found yourself in a social situation where the importance of manners, etiquette, or unspoken social rules became clear to you in a way that only a real, in-person experience could reveal. In today’s world, where so many interactions are mediated by screens, we can miss out on learning the nuances of human interaction—the kind of lessons that can’t be taught through text messages, social media, or YouTube tutorials. Your task is to recount a time when an in-person interaction left you with a memorable lesson about behavior, respect, or common sense that changed the way you see social dynamics.
The purpose of this writing prompt is to encourage you to reflect on the unique, irreplaceable lessons that come from real-world social interactions, highlighting the limitations of digital communication. In an age where much of our interaction occurs online, screen-based communication often lacks the depth, nuance, and immediate feedback that face-to-face experiences provide. By recalling a memorable in-person situation where manners or etiquette were essential, you can recognize the invaluable role of direct human contact in developing social skills that can’t be honed through social media alone. This reflection serves as a foundation for understanding how the overuse or misuse of social media might erode these essential skills, weakening our ability to navigate complex social landscapes with sensitivity and respect.
Assignment Instructions:
- Setting the Scene: Start by describing the situation, the location, and the people involved. What was the environment like? Was it a structured setting (like a school or job) or something more informal (a family gathering, gym, party, etc.)? Explain your initial feelings or expectations as you entered the situation. Did you feel comfortable, nervous, or completely out of your element?
- The Faux Pas or Mistake: Describe the specific moment or behavior where things started to go sideways. Did you accidentally break an unspoken rule or do something that, in hindsight, seemed awkward or inappropriate? How did people around you respond? Were there direct consequences, or did someone pull you aside to “educate” you on what was expected?
- The Lesson Learned: Reflect on what this situation taught you about manners, etiquette, or respect. How did this experience shape your understanding of appropriate behavior? In what ways did it reveal social rules that you hadn’t fully appreciated before? Why do you think this lesson could only have been learned face-to-face, rather than through a screen?
- Impact on Your Future Behavior: How has this experience influenced you since? Are you more aware of how you interact in similar situations now? Describe any changes in your approach to social settings and why this particular incident left a lasting impression on you.
In your response, use specific details and a vivid description of the moment to help the reader experience the lesson with you. Think about why in-person experiences teach us lessons that screen-based interactions often cannot, and consider how this knowledge shapes who you are today. Aim for approximately 500 words, and remember to highlight why this lesson is one that could only be learned through direct, human interaction.
Sample: The Clueless Gym Rat
In my early teens, I trained at Walt’s Gym in the mid-70s. It was there, as a clueless teenage gym rat, that I sweated it out alongside actual TV wrestling legends—names like Kinji Shibuya, Pedro Morales, and Hector Cruz. For a starstruck fourteen-year-old, it should have been a dream come true, except that my big mouth and chronic lack of self-awareness quickly turned it into a waking nightmare.
Sure, I’d built up a decent amount of muscle for a teenager, but my common sense was embarrassingly underdeveloped. Take the time I ended up doing cable lat rows with Hector Cruz. In an act of pure stupidity, I casually mentioned that I’d heard wrestling might be, you know, fake. Hector, whose face looked like it had been carved by a chainsaw, didn’t hesitate. “Look at these scars on my face! Do they look fake to you?” he growled, his eyes drilling into me. I nodded, making a mental note that maybe, just maybe, plastic surgery hadn’t advanced to that level of realism.
Then there was the time I assumed gym towels were fair game. Spotting one draped over the calf machine, I decided it would do nicely to mop my sweaty adolescent brow. No sooner had I swiped it than a mountain of muscle shot off his bench press, staring at me like I’d just stolen his car. With biceps twitching like he was gearing up for a heavyweight bout, he threatened to deliver a very personal beatdown if I didn’t stop treating gym towels like public property. Lesson learned: in the iron jungle of Walt’s Gym, towels were sacred relics, and touching one without permission was sacrilege.
But my most obnoxious gym faux pas had to be the screaming. Convinced that my caveman grunts added an air of warrior mystique to my workouts, I went all in, oblivious to the eye rolls and smirks around me. One day, a bodybuilder who looked like he’d been sculpted by an especially vindictive Michelangelo pulled me aside, his stare icy enough to freeze lava. “Kid,” he said, voice low and deadly, “if you don’t tone down the screaming, someone’s going to shut you up for good—and they’ll get applause for it.”
That was my epiphany. Walt’s Gym wasn’t just a place to lift heavy; it was a proving ground for common sense, humility, and an unspoken social contract that carried as much weight as any barbell. Fail to respect it, and you were one ill-timed grunt away from a well-deserved punch in the face.
Learning how to be a bodybuilder today would likely have put me in front of thousands of YouTube tutorials, teaching me how to build muscle without ever stepping into a gym. But I would have missed the real training—the kind that saved me from becoming a socially inept cave dweller, trapped in the ultimate screen-zombified wasteland.
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Building Block 2 for Social Media:
Writing Assignment:
Title: “Settling for the Counterfeit: A Reflection on Fake Over Real”
In a world that constantly tempts us to trade the authentic for the convenient, it’s easy to see how often we settle for fakes, knock-offs, and shortcuts that give us the surface without the substance. For this assignment, I want you to reflect on a time you witnessed people settling for a hollow substitute over the genuine article. This could be in any area of life: food, social interactions, entertainment, lifestyle choices, or material goods.
The purpose of this assignment is to get you to explore the common tendency in modern life to choose convenience and appearance over authenticity and depth. By reflecting on real-life examples where you or others opted for a “quick fix” or a superficial substitute instead of something genuine, you’ll examine the allure of shortcuts and the often disappointing outcomes they bring. This assignment encourages you to think about the broader implications of “settling for the counterfeit”—how it impacts personal satisfaction, integrity, and quality in various areas of life.
Through this exercise, you’ll engage in critical thinking by analyzing why these fake substitutes are so tempting and reflecting on the potential consequences of repeatedly choosing what’s “good enough” over what’s truly valuable. Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a sense of discernment, prompting you to question the choices you make in favor of convenience and consider the long-term benefits of seeking authenticity, whether in relationships, consumer goods, or personal goals. By grounding the discussion in personal reflection, this assignment makes the concept of authenticity both relatable and meaningful, helping you to take a thoughtful approach to decisions in your own life.
Instructions:
- Identify and Describe the Fakery: Think of an example in which you observed people (or yourself) choosing a shallow imitation over something real. Was it a food product that posed as gourmet but wasn’t? A relationship that looked sincere on the outside but was only superficial? Describe this imitation in vivid detail, showing what it promised and what it actually delivered.
- Why the Imitation Persists: Reflect on why people settle for this fake version. Is it cheaper, more convenient, more marketable? Is there a cultural or social allure to the fake version? What specific factors make people gravitate towards it instead of the real thing?
- Personal Insights: How did observing this phenomenon affect your view on authenticity? Did it make you more aware of the importance of choosing genuine experiences or products? Or did you find yourself understanding why people settle for the imitation, even if it lacks substance?
- Broader Implications: Conclude by discussing what this example says about today’s society. Are we headed down a path where appearances and convenience outweigh the deeper qualities of things, or do you think we’ll come back to valuing authenticity?
Length: Approximately 300 words
As you write, focus on exploring both the lure of the fake and what is sacrificed in choosing it over authenticity. Use vivid examples and consider the ways in which our counterfeit culture impacts not only our choices but also our sense of fulfillment and connection.
Sample: Mock Apple Pie
The notion of settling for the counterfeit takes me back to a comedy bit by Bob Sarlatte from the early ’80s. With a chin that could double as a paperweight and a grin sly enough to cause suspicion, Sarlatte was on a tear one night on a KQED comedy special. His target? The Ritz Cracker recipe for Mock Apple Pie. He was astounded by the absurdity of it—an apple pie with, wait for it, not a single apple in sight. Just crackers. Sarlatte’s incredulity was practically dripping as he skewered Ritz’s audacious recipe. “Why,” he asked, almost spitting in disbelief, “would Ritz dare call it ‘apple pie’ when it doesn’t even involve apples?”
To Sarlatte, calling this concoction “apple pie” was like calling a desert a beach just because it had sand—except the “sand” was made of crushed Ritz crackers, and the “beach” was a sad, flaky illusion. He savaged Ritz for trying to pawn off a cracker crumble as a real pie, as if the absence of fruit was somehow a bonus. “Who’s this Mock Apple Pie for?” he asked, exasperated. “Your mock friends? People who enjoy mockery served with a side of disappointment?” Sarlatte’s barbed routine wasn’t just about a recipe; it was a scathing critique of elevating a subpar stand-in to the level of culinary innovation.
So, to Turkle’s “Goldilocks effect,” we can add the “Mock Apple Pie effect.” We’ve grown accustomed to settling for cheap imitations of friendship, convincing ourselves we’re satisfied even as we spiral into deeper loneliness. And much like Ritz’s cracker “pie,” it’s a thin crust of satisfaction over an empty filling.
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1C Introduction First Building Block:
Enduring Understandings Personal Writing Prompt: Navigating Compromise and Transformation
In life, we often face pivotal moments where we must choose between the comfort of the familiar and the challenge of the unknown. These crossroads can feel like a betrayal of one’s roots or values, but they also offer an opportunity to grow, adapt, and redefine what it means to be authentic. In this assignment, write an 800-word personal essay exploring a time when you faced a choice that required you to rethink who you were and where you were headed. Like the example provided, focus on how this decision pushed you to navigate compromise and embrace transformation.
Guidelines for your essay:
- Set the Scene
Begin by painting a vivid picture of your "before" life—where you were, who you were surrounded by, and what defined your identity at the time. Use specific anecdotes and sensory details to ground the reader in your world.
- Introduce the Crossroads
Describe the moment or event that disrupted your status quo and forced you to confront a major decision. What were the stakes? What were you afraid of losing or compromising?
- The Inner Conflict
Dive into your thought process as you weighed your options. What did you tell yourself to justify staying where you were? What arguments pulled you toward change? Highlight the tension between the allure of comfort and the call to growth.
- The Decision and Its Impact
Narrate the moment you made your choice and how it changed you. What challenges did you face in the transition? How did it feel to step into a new world, leaving behind your old one?
- Reflection and Growth
Conclude by reflecting on what you learned from this experience. How did this choice shape your understanding of yourself and the world around you? What did it teach you about compromise, transformation, or the ability to balance seemingly opposing forces in life?
Purpose:
This prompt encourages you to explore the complexities of identity, compromise, and personal growth. By reflecting on your own pivotal moment, you will develop an enduring understanding of how life’s challenges are not about choosing one path over another but about finding meaning and growth in the intersections.
Sample: Tribe of Snobs
In the early 1980s, I paid my college bills by selling fine wines and beer imports at Jackson's Wine & Spirits in Berkeley, right up the street from the Claremont Hotel on Ashby Avenue. My coworkers were the sort of intellectual show-offs who could reduce an Oxford don to a stammering fool. They held advanced degrees in everything from literature to linguistics, chemistry to musicology, and they wore their academic pedigrees like badges of honor, brandishing them in a booze emporium as if the walls were lined with first editions rather than bottles of Bordeaux. They’d read Flaubert in the original French and sneered at English translations with the kind of disdain usually reserved for bad table wine. To them, working for any corporation that might dare to track their time was an act of existential surrender. Instead, they peddled fine spirits with an elitism so thick you could bottle it, cork it, and slap a vintage label on it. Their motto? "Service with a smirk."
I wanted to fit in, so I read voraciously, parroting these cultural heavyweights who could debate the nuances of two French Beaujolais for an entire shift while tossing out quotes from Kierkegaard or Camus. Soon enough, I was well on my way to becoming a full-blown snob, the kind who could turn a simple idea into a verbal labyrinth designed to impress rather than clarify. Slow hours found us planted by the registers dissecting the finer points of Nietzsche’s existential dread, Wagner’s bombastic compositions, and Kafka’s literary absurdities. I became intoxicated with my own intellect (mostly because I couldn’t afford the good wine) and used every fifty-dollar word in the book to convince myself I was superior to anyone with a steady paycheck. Working alongside this oddball crew was comfortable and, let’s face it, easy, but it lulled me into a delusion: I might not be wealthy or gainfully employed, but I was intellectually rich, or so I told myself.
By my mid-twenties, I was perfectly content to be the Nerf football-throwing, Borges-quoting slacker clerk who waxed poetic about the existential themes of Alberto Moravia and the tragic pessimism of Miguel de Unamuno while restocking shelves with Chianti. Then, in late summer of 1987, the unthinkable happened: I was offered a college teaching position. Part of me balked at the idea, convinced that working for an institution would crush my “individuality” and make me a “sellout.” I dreaded leaving my clique of highbrow misfits for the “real world.” The thought of abandoning my bohemian tribe for something so painfully mainstream felt like a betrayal.
But it dawned on me that life wasn’t an either/or proposition. Either stay true to my bohemian roots, or sell my soul to The Man? That was a little oversimplistic, even for me. I had to face the fact that every path involves compromise. Teaching, as it turned out, didn’t mean relinquishing my intellectual edge; in fact, it offered me the chance to flex it even more rigorously than I ever could in the back aisles of a wine store. So I took the job, leaving the dusty old either/or fallacy where it belonged—buried in the cork-strewn floor of Jackson’s Wine & Spirits.
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The passage successfully captures Enduring Understandings by weaving a narrative that explores universal truths about identity, growth, and the complexity of life's choices. At its core, this reflection transcends the specifics of selling wine or teaching college, using personal anecdotes to illustrate larger themes that resonate deeply and last beyond the immediate story.
- Exploration of Identity and Belonging
The writer's initial immersion into the intellectual bohemian culture at Jackson's Wine & Spirits reflects a universal quest for identity and belonging. The narrator's attempts to emulate their hyper-educated, elitist coworkers reveals an early-stage grappling with self-definition. This struggle speaks to a broader human experience: the tension between conforming to a group identity and forging an authentic self. The passage underscores how environments can shape and sometimes delude our sense of who we are, a key understanding that applies to the lifelong journey of self-awareness.
- The Seduction of Comfort and Intellectual Posturing
The narrator candidly critiques their youthful arrogance, showing how the wine shop's intellectually charged, albeit pretentious, atmosphere lulled them into a false sense of superiority. This examination of comfort and posturing as a seductive but ultimately limiting force is a profound insight. The reader sees how intellectualism divorced from practical engagement or meaningful application can become a self-serving performance. This is an enduring idea: genuine growth requires moving beyond shallow markers of identity, such as cleverness or exclusivity, to engage with the messy, contradictory realities of life.
- The Fallacy of Binary Choices
The passage dismantles the "either/or" thinking that frames life’s major decisions as binary oppositions—stay true to bohemian roots versus sell out to mainstream conformity. The narrator realizes that life is more nuanced, and every path involves compromises. By rejecting this oversimplification, the narrative imparts a critical lesson: choices often demand balance, not absolutes, and growth emerges from integrating seemingly opposing forces.
- The Value of Compromise and Redefinition
The narrator’s decision to accept a teaching position marks a significant moment of transformation. Teaching is framed not as a betrayal of individuality but as a redefinition of purpose—a chance to deepen intellectual engagement in a more structured environment. This evolution underscores an enduring truth: growth often requires stepping out of comfortable, familiar worlds to embrace new opportunities, even if they challenge one’s preconceived notions.
- The Journey Toward Purpose
Finally, the passage reflects on the broader purpose of intellectual pursuits. The narrator transitions from a passive consumer of ideas (debating philosophy while stocking wine) to an active contributor, leveraging their intellectual edge in a classroom setting. This shift from indulgence to application reveals a key understanding: true fulfillment comes from using one’s talents in ways that challenge, contribute, and resonate with others.
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***
1C Weight Loss Essay Building Blocks 1 and 2
Building Block #1:
To AI-proof your essay, your first paragraph, about 300 words, will be an autobiographical hook. For this first paragraph, you can use one of these ideas:
- Reflect on an experience with weight management where access to healthier options was limited by financial or geographic constraints.
- Discuss how social pressures or media representations of body image influenced your personal approach to weight loss, regardless of deeper health factors.
- Share a story about someone who struggled with weight loss despite following all the traditional “rules,” pointing to the complexity beyond personal discipline.
- Reflect on how convenience foods and time constraints often lead to reliance on unhealthy eating habits, even when the desire for healthier choices is present.
- Share an experience with dieting that led to short-term success but long-term frustration, highlighting the body’s metabolic pushback.
- Describe a time when access to more expensive health interventions (such as a nutritionist, personal trainer, or even medications like Ozempic) would have made a significant difference.
- Explore the emotional toll of yo-yo dieting and the societal expectations around maintaining a certain weight, despite larger systemic barriers.
Sample: The Burned-Out Bodybuilder
I entered Mr. Teenage San Francisco as a “natural,” which is just a polite way of saying I didn’t take steroids and, as a result, lost so much muscle that I looked less like a bodybuilder and more like a guy who just finished SEAL training. At six feet and 180 pounds, I was a lean, mean posing machine, managing to pull off the “Frank Zane Look” just well enough to snag runner-up against a blonde guy who was juiced up like an overripe orange. This guy had me beat in both muscular density and stomach cramps—the latter courtesy of a last-minute Medjool date binge that had his muscles popping out like balloons and his stomach writhing in agony as if he’d just gone twelve rounds with Mike Tyson.
The day after the contest, I was sprawled out at home, basking in the glory of my almost-victory and recovering from the grueling marathon of flexing and fake-smiling, when my phone started ringing off the hook. Apparently, the contest registry had handed out my number like it was a free sample at Costco. Suddenly, I was fielding calls from strangers who wanted me to model for their magazines. Some of these guys sounded sketchier than a back-alley plastic surgeon, so I turned them down with the firmness of a bouncer at Studio 54. But one call came from a woman who seemed more legit—an art student at UCSF who wanted me to pose for her portfolio. Tempting, right? Sure, if you’re into awkward coffee shop meetings and being immortalized in someone’s weird art project. I politely declined.
The next day, I was sprawled out at home, mentally polishing my almost-victory trophy, when my phone started ringing like it was Black Friday at a telemarketing office. Apparently, the contest organizers had given out my number like it was some sort of bodybuilding party favor, and now I had strangers calling nonstop, offering me everything from local magazine shoots to what I can only assume were “modeling opportunities” in someone’s basement. The calls were a grab bag of shady characters and dubious promises, most of which I turned down like a velvet rope at Studio 54. Then, out of the chaos, came a call that actually sounded reasonable—a student from UCSF who wanted me to pose for her art portfolio. It should’ve been tempting, right? A legit student project, no back-alley vibes. But the thought of sipping weak coffee and trying to act “natural” in front of a stranger’s sketchpad sounded about as thrilling as a trip to the DMV. I declined.
Why? Because after weeks of dieting down to 180 pounds, I was too drained to stand, let alone play model. Getting that “cut” look had eaten up every ounce of energy I had. I looked like a glassed-in museum piece, but I felt like I was decaying from the inside out. It hit me that the so-called “ideal” physique, the one that’s now an Instagram cliché, is really just a mirage—an image you can just barely capture before it vanishes, leaving you hungry, exhausted, and more than a little bit over it.
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Building Block #2: Your second and third paragraph are based on a meaningful conversation. You will need to interview someone who was or is currently struggling with weight management. Here are 7 questions that your students can ask someone who has or is currently struggling with weight loss. These questions are designed to help students explore the complexities of weight management beyond just diet and exercise:
- What inspired or motivated you to start your weight loss journey, and what challenges did you face early on?
- This helps students understand the initial motivations and difficulties that someone faces when embarking on a weight loss journey.
- Have you ever felt societal or personal pressure regarding your weight, and how did that affect your mindset and approach to weight loss?
- This question delves into how social expectations and external pressures shape a person’s emotional and mental response to their weight struggles.
- What role do you think food plays in your life beyond just nourishment? For example, is food tied to family traditions, celebrations, or emotional comfort?
- Have you tried any weight loss programs, diets, or medications such as Ozempic, and what was your experience with them? Did they work or have any side effects?
- This will give insight into the wide range of methods people use and the risks and rewards involved, particularly for newer options like weight loss drugs.
- How do you balance the desire to lose weight with maintaining a positive self-image and mental well-being?
- This question encourages reflection on the psychological aspects of weight loss, like body image and self-esteem.
- In your opinion, how much do factors like genetics, lifestyle, and economic status affect your ability to lose weight and keep it off?
- This helps students think critically about the broader context of weight management beyond individual effort, such as socioeconomic status and biology.
- What advice would you give to someone who is struggling to lose weight and feels overwhelmed by the process?
Summarize the interview for your essay’s second paragraph. Your personal narrative in paragraph 1 and your interview summarized in paragraph 2 will provide the groundwork for paragraph 3, your thesis or claim in which you will support, refute, or complicate the claim that weight management cannot be controlled by self-agency but is affected by biological and systemic factors explored in the essays by Johann Hari, Harriet Brown, and Sandra Aamodt.
1C Essay 2 Personal Achievement as Chimera BB1
Personal Reflection Prompt: When Achievement Becomes a Trap
Reflect on a time in your life when you pushed yourself to excel in a particular pursuit—whether academic, athletic, artistic, or personal—only to realize, perhaps too late, that your achievement left you lacking in self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Maybe you were driven by the thrill of success, recognition, or sheer competitive drive, but in your pursuit of excellence, you neglected other important aspects of your well-being or relationships.
In this 300-word reflection, explore the following:
- Describe the Pursuit and Its Costs: What was the area of achievement, and how did you pursue it with such intensity? Reflect on what you sacrificed in the process—whether it was your connection with others, your sense of balance, or a deeper understanding of yourself.
- The Turning Point: At what point did you realize that your dedication, while impressive, was leaving you emotionally or mentally impoverished? What prompted this awareness, and how did it make you reassess your priorities?
- Lessons Learned: Reflect on how this experience changed your understanding of what it means to succeed. How did it shift your values, your self-perception, or your idea of what’s truly important? How might this experience shape your approach to achievement in the future?
In your conclusion, consider the larger questions that this experience might raise. How do you define a “good life” now, beyond achievements or accolades? Use this reflection as an opportunity to explore the balance between striving for excellence and nurturing self-awareness, empathy, and purpose.
Example: “Sorry, We’re Closed”
In 1981, one week before I entered the Mr. Teenage San Francisco contest at Mission High School, my body was a bronzed testament to iron discipline—180 pounds of sculpted muscle and 3% body fat. The only catch? My clothes hung off me like they were mourning the loss of real estate. So, in a moment of vanity-driven panic, I headed to the Pleasanton mall for some emergency shopping.
In the fitting room, as I slid a tanned calf into a pair of brown corduroys, I overheard two attractive store employees outside, arguing over which one should ask me out. Their voices rose, each one trying to claim the honor of basking in my bronzed glory. In my mind’s eye, I pictured them brawling WWE-style on the shop floor—body slams, flying elbows, all in pursuit of a dinner date with yours truly. This was it, the ultimate validation for all those sweat-soaked hours in the gym.
So, what did I do? I froze, struck with all the charm of a tax auditor on Xanax. I threw on a look so aloof it was like tossing a wet blanket on a bonfire. They wandered off, muttering about my stuck-up attitude, while I stood there in my Calvin Kleins, paralyzed by the very attention I’d been chasing. Here I was, with the body of a Greek god, yet all the social poise of a kid clomping around in his dad’s shoes. The irony was brutal: I’d poured everything into creating this Herculean exterior but left the inside vacant, a construction site abandoned mid-project with a rusty sign reading, “Sorry, we’re closed.”
**
BB 2 for Chimera: ChatGPT:
Personal Reflection Prompt: The Allure and Trap of Shortcuts in Writing
Reflect on the parallels between Akaky Akakievich from Gogol’s “The Overcoat” and a student who becomes overly dependent on ChatGPT. Both Akaky and this hypothetical student are tempted by the appeal of a shortcut: Akaky, through his transformative overcoat, briefly basks in a life that seems elevated and meaningful; the student, through AI, experiences the thrill of producing polished essays without enduring the typical struggles of writing.
Consider a time in your academic journey when you may have relied on a shortcut or “quick fix” in your work. How did it impact your sense of accomplishment and growth? How would your writing differ if you depended heavily on AI rather than building skills independently?
In your 400-word reflection, explore the following questions:
- Describe a moment when you faced a difficult task in school. Did you opt for a shortcut, or did you commit to doing the hard work? How did that choice affect your learning and self-confidence?
- How do you think over-dependence on tools like ChatGPT might mirror Akaky’s fixation on his overcoat? What potential dangers might exist for students who lean too heavily on AI instead of developing their skills?
- Reflect on the concept of “Ozempification”—how shortcuts can create a hollow sense of progress. What can we learn from Akaky’s story about the importance of building genuine strength and competency in our academic and personal lives?
This reflection invites you to consider the allure and hidden costs of shortcuts, encouraging you to value the deeper growth that comes from overcoming challenges, even when they don’t offer instant rewards.
***
Possible 1C Variation of Chimera Essay:
For your second essay, you will write a 12-paragraph, 1,700-word analysis comparing the mental and emotional unraveling of Akaky Akakievich from Nikolai Gogol’s “The Overcoat” and Dexter Green from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Winter Dreams.” Both characters are consumed by obsessions that lead to their downfall, reflecting a path I call Ozempification—the pursuit of superficial desires at the expense of deep, meaningful work or purpose. You will then contrast these characters with Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X, two historical figures who achieved Humanification through deep work in the realm of literacy and service to others.
Required Sources:
- Gogol’s “The Overcoat”
- F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Winter Dreams”
- Frederick Douglass’ “Learning to Read and Write” (excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass)
- Malcolm X’s “Learning to Read” (excerpt from The Autobiography of Malcolm X)
- My analysis of Cal Newport’s Deep Work (available on Canvas)
Essay Outline:
Paragraph 1 (Autobiographical Narrative of a Chimera):
Begin your essay with a 300-word autobiographical paragraph where you describe a personal experience where you became consumed by your own “Overcoat” (like Akaky) or “Judy Jones” (like Dexter)—a chimera, or unrealistic obsession, that created false expectations of happiness. How did this experience make you lose your sense of time and reality? How did it disconnect you from life? What parallels can you draw between your experience and the spiraling of Dexter and Akaky?
Example #1: Christmas Lights
I remember the summer of 1969, when I was seven years old. My friend Billy and I were riding our bikes on Venado Court in San Jose, California, reveling in a rare July drizzle. Suddenly, I saw a distant glimmer of light through the mist. My heart leapt. “Christmas lights!” I shouted, as if I’d uncovered a hidden truth of the universe. It wasn’t even December, but who cared? Heaven had arrived early in the form of twinkling lights in the mist. Billy, ever the loyal sidekick, caught the fever immediately. “Christmas lights!” he echoed, convinced we’d stumbled on some cosmic gift. For a whole week, we gushed about this sacred sight, until my dad, fed up with our giddiness, decided to set us straight. He drove me to those "Christmas lights," which turned out to be—wait for it—flashing Budweiser signs on a grimy liquor store. He tried to soften the blow with a Baby Ruth and a Mad Magazine, but nothing could heal the sting of realizing my miracle was capitalism in neon. Still, the idea of those Christmas lights had already kindled something in me—a longing for beauty, for magic. I’d go on searching for it, no matter how much reality or anyone else tried to douse the flame.
Example #2 Port Angeles
In the winter of 2002, I was at a restaurant in Torrance, California, chatting with a buddy and a guy from Port Angeles, Washington. We were talking about the gloom of the Pacific Northwest when he casually mentioned that Port Angeles sits in something called a “Banana Belt.” My imagination took flight. I pictured a hidden paradise, a mini-Hawaii tucked away in the rain-soaked wilderness. I was already mentally packing for this sunny Eden where my wife and I bask in eternal sunshine, piña coladas in hand. Reality, though, is a cruel mistress. I later learned that the "Banana Belt" was just a slightly less rainy strip of Washington, not some balmy paradise. It was like my Budweiser Christmas lights all over again—but this time, I didn’t even get a Baby Ruth for my trouble.
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This brand of heartbroken romanticism from the chimera is something we bring into our writing. ChatGPT can’t replicate that ache. It’s not human; it’s not here to elevate the human race. It’s just a tool. Someone has to tell the stories about Christmas lights in July and the so-called Banana Belt. ChatGPT isn’t going to replace us—at least, not the dreamers.
______
Paragraph 2 (Thesis Statement):
Write a thesis paragraph where you compare and contrast the downfalls of Dexter and Akaky. Focus on two comparisons and two contrasts. How do both characters lose their minds over illusions, and how do their pursuits of superficial dreams (the overcoat for Akaky, Judy Jones for Dexter) lead to their unraveling?
Paragraphs 3-6 (Comparisons and Contrasts of Dexter and Akaky):
In these paragraphs, explore the comparisons and contrasts between Dexter’s and Akaky’s breakdowns. What are the driving forces behind their obsessions, and how does their inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy lead to their decline? How does society’s pressure and personal desire contribute to their fall?
Paragraph 7 (Summary of Cal Newport’s Deep Work):
In paragraph 7, summarize Cal Newport’s notion of “deep work.” Explain what Newport means by “deep work” as the ability to focus intensely on valuable, meaningful tasks without distraction, and why this concept is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Paragraph 8 (Your Relationship with Deep Work):
Reflect on your relationship with Deep Work in paragraph 8. What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to doing deep, focused work? How have distractions or superficial pursuits (like social media or short-term goals) affected your ability to achieve Deep Work?
Paragraph 9 (Deep Work in Douglass and Malcolm X):
In this paragraph, show three parallels between Cal Newport’s concept of Deep Work and the experiences of Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X as seen in their readings. How did their commitment to deep literacy and self-improvement transform them? How did their dedication to Deep Work protect them from the superficial pursuits that led to Dexter’s and Akaky’s downfalls?
Paragraphs 10-11 (Analysis of Douglass and Malcolm X):
Discuss how Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X performed Deep Work not only to improve themselves but to serve others. What specific actions and sacrifices did they make in their pursuit of knowledge? How did their deep focus on literacy and understanding allow them to transcend the limitations imposed on them by society? How does this contrast with the hollow pursuits of Dexter and Akaky?
Paragraph 12 (Conclusion):
In your conclusion, connect your analysis to your own life by answering the key questions: How did Douglass and Malcolm X’s Deep Work protect them from the same superficial obsessions that destroyed Dexter and Akaky? What have you learned from the difference between Ozempification and Humanification? For this conclusion, you will need to include some personal reflection in a building block paragraph that you will use in your essay’s conclusion:
Personal Reflection Assignment: Reflecting on Ozempification vs. Humanification
Think back to a time when you found yourself trapped in a pursuit that, while initially tempting, left you feeling empty or unsatisfied—a moment of “Ozempification” where you chased an easy shortcut or a shallow goal, only to realize it didn’t fulfill you. Contrast this with a phase in your life when you committed to meaningful, challenging work or personal growth—what we can think of as a period of “Humanification”—that may have taken more effort but ultimately brought you a deep sense of happiness and satisfaction.
In your 400-word reflection, consider these questions:
- How did each experience shape your understanding of what it means to find purpose and fulfillment?
- What were the key differences in your feelings, motivations, and overall happiness in each phase?
- As you conclude, think about Douglass and Malcolm X and how their commitment to Deep Work safeguarded them from the superficial obsessions that consumed Dexter and Akaky. What lessons can you draw from the distinction between Ozempification and Humanification that could guide your future choices?
Use this assignment to dig deeply into how your past choices have impacted your personal growth and how you can apply the lessons of meaningful work over fleeting distractions.
Works Cited:
On your Works Cited page, include all five of the required sources, properly cited in MLA format.
This outline will help guide your analysis and ensure you address the deeper themes of meaningful work, obsession, and personal growth in both literature and life.
Possible 1C Exchange:
For your second Critical Thinking essay, you will explore the idea of whether studying Humanities in college and Humanification in general will become a relic from the past enjoyed only by those of exceeding wealth and privilege. As the Humanities die and we merge with the machines achieving singularity, we will no longer value or even need the Humanities. This essay will evaluate Tyler Austin Harper's argument in "ChatGPT Doesn’t Have to Ruin College, " “The Humanities Have Sown the Seeds of Their Own Destruction,” Yuval Noah Harari’s “Never Summon a Power You Can’t Control;” my Canvas lecture notes on Yuval Noah Harari’s book Nexus and contrast the process of Ozempification with the lives of historical figures Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X, who achieved intellectual transformation through "Deep Work" despite their lack of privilege.
Here’s how the essay will be structured:
Paragraph 1: Personal Reflection on AI and Deep Work
In the first paragraph, you will reflect on the role of wealth as a factor in choosing to live a life of authenticity and deep work over that of a middling functionary who relies on shortcuts to survive and make small career advancements. How do wealth and privilege complicate the claim that successful people carve out huge blocks of time a day to pursue focused, prolonged deep work and intellectual enrichment? Imagine how different your life choices would be regarding deep work if you had independent wealth and how this free time would affect your ability to do deep work and live a “life of the mind.”
Paragraph 2: Thesis Statement
In the second paragraph, you will present your thesis. This thesis should either defend, refute, or complicate the claim that an economic class divide will encourage the wealthy to achieve Humanification while the less-wealthy will succumb to Ozempification. You will also reference the essays and Canvas lectures above and the lives of Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X, who both sought “deep work” without the privileges of wealth, to challenge or reinforce Harper’s claim.
Paragraphs 3-6: Supporting Arguments
In these four paragraphs, you will develop your argument by analyzing and supporting your thesis. How does the struggle for intellectual purity and "Deep Work" compare between students with financial privilege and those without it? How does the notion of Humanification align or contrast with the lives of Douglass and Malcolm X, who overcame massive challenges to attain literacy and intellectual freedom? Use specific examples from Douglass’ “Learning to Read and Write” and Malcolm X’s “Learning to Read” to illustrate how they performed "deep work" under excruciating circumstances.
Paragraph 7: Counterargument and Rebuttal
In this paragraph, address the opposing view. Some may argue that anyone, regardless of privilege, can achieve intellectual purity with discipline and commitment. Refute or complicate this view by considering how systemic inequalities affect the pursuit of Humanification, while also acknowledging exceptions like Douglass and Malcolm X.
Paragraph 8: Conclusion
In your conclusion, restate your thesis powerfully. Summarize your key arguments about the role of wealth and privilege in achieving "Deep Work" and Humanification. Reaffirm your position on whether Harper’s argument holds up when measured against the lives of historical figures like Douglass and Malcolm X.
Required Sources:
- Tyler Austin Harper’s “ChatGPT Doesn’t Have to Ruin College”
- Tyler Austin Harper’s “The Humanities Have Sown the Seeds of Their Own Destruction”
- Yuval Noah Harari’s “Never Summon a Power You Can’t Control”
- Frederick Douglass’ “Learning to Read and Write” (excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass)
- Malcolm X’s “Learning to Read” (excerpt from The Autobiography of Malcolm X)
- My analysis of Cal Newport’s Deep Work (available on Canvas)
- My analysis of Yuval Noah Harari’s Nexus (available on Canvas)
This essay will require critical thinking, comparison, and synthesis of ideas from multiple sources. By engaging with historical and contemporary figures, you’ll explore how intellectual growth, discipline, and honesty interact with wealth and privilege in the modern age.
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