This document provides the requirements and topics for an argumentative essay assignment in a business composition course. Students must write a 500-word essay addressing a specific audience and using at least three sources, one from an electronic database or print source. Topic choices include agreeing or disagreeing with essays on the value of college, wealth emulation, materialism and economic success, and the effects of multitasking. Alternatively, students can write a film review of a business-related movie incorporating two professional critic reviews.

1. Composition I: ENG 160 / Business FIG
Essay 2: Argument/Genre Essay with Research and
Length: Approximately 500 words (editorials and reviews tend to be short)
Requirements: Address your essay to a specific audience (see directions below) Use at least three
outside sources / Follow MLA formatting/ Include a works cited page / Use in-text
(parenthetical) citations
Choose one of the following topics. You must include at least three outside sources.
 One source must be found via an electronic database or print source from the Sojourner
Truth Library. You may use an article found in a magazine, news paper or encyclopedia
as a source.
 One source may be an essay from our textbook.
 You may not use Wikipedia as a source.
 You may use the personal pronoun “I.”
Topic Choices:
1. “The Case Against College” by Caroline Bird
Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with Caroline Bird’s central thesis.
Audience: Write an open letter to high school students at your former high school. Assume that
they are entering senior year. This is the type of letter which may be shared with groups meeting
with counselors from the guidance office.
2. “We’re Number One . . .” by Reynolds/Nadler
We should stop demonizing the rich and emulate them instead. Agree or Disagree.
Audience: Write an editorial that will appear either in the NY Times or in the Wall Street Journal
(take your pick).
Avoid using “I” in this editorial.
3. “Maybe Money Does Buy Happiness After All” by David Leohardt and “The High Price of
Materialism” by Tim Kassner
Young people today should not place so much value on achieving economic success. Agree or
Disagree.

2. Audience: Write an editorial piece for The Oracle (the SUNY New Paltz newspaper) or another
newspaper or magazine.
4. “Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price” by Matt Richtel
Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with Richtel’s mostly negative assessment of
multitasking.
Audience: Write an editorial piece for The Oracle (the SUNY New Paltz newspaper) or another
newspaper or magazine.
5. Write a film review of a business-related movie that you either hated or loved. Incorporate at
least two reviews by professional critics. Your third source may be another review or it may be
background information about the film. Try to find at least one critic with whom you disagree.
Convince your reader either to avoid the movie or to go see it.
Audience: Write your film review for the NY Post, NY Times, etc. (Choose one)