Q You will write an essay that focuses on a central idea on the purpose of college from the assigned readings. As noted, this essay will not include your own opinion: the goal is to objectively report information. You must decide the most effective way to categorize the information these writers offer in order to effectively communicate their ideas to readers. The most important part of this assignment – and all assignments involving report-ing information – is narrowing down your topic. You’ll encounter many different views of what a college education should entail: your job is to focus on one of them. And since the focus is on reporting information from others, it may be a view you don’t even share. Much of this essay will consist of cited material – it’s what readers expect when you’re reporting information from other sources. Again, remember that your purpose is not to present all of the information you’ve read or argue with the views expressed in the readings; instead, it’s to narrow down and find connections among the readings and then to objectively present their views to your readers. (Have I mentioned objectivity enough? Good.) Unfortunately, this kind of writing can have a narcotic effect on readers – try using examples, specific details from the essays, and specific descriptions to keep the reader from using your essay as a pillow. Assume that your readers have not read these essays; it is your job to focus on one connection among them and show the connections so that the reader doesn’t have to read them all. Requirements The final draft should be a minimum of 1,150 words. Your essay needs to include citations from at least three of the assigned readings, though you will probably use more to effectively present the information. The essay should include: • a title; • an introduction which describes the context/basis of research (with forecasting/division statement); • body paragraphs which focus on the division statement; • a conclusion; • and a Works Cited page. You must correctly cite your sources using MLA format.