Examine the strengths and weaknesses of her assertions.
“The Essentials of a Good Education” by author Diane Ravitch, a policy analyst and historian of education, and then evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of her argument for equity in quality curriculum for all students the U.S. public education system.Directions:Paragraph 1: SummaryRead and study Ravitch’s essay; then develop a two-part response. In your paper’s first paragraph, summarize the essay. Consider what Ravitch claims are the main problems that she sees with primary education to understand why she proposes that students need diverse subjects to prepare them to become responsible citizens. A summary should be about half a page in length. A summary must be one unified, coherent, and organized paragraph. Analyze the piece being summarized and interpret the author’s main and supporting ideas.Writing a Summary1. Read carefully and at least twice.2. Use a TAG (essay’s title, author’s name and genre of the reading), and explain the author’s thesis in the first sentence of your summary.3. Interpret the meaning of the supporting points of the essay without repeating any content or retelling the essay. Throughout the summary, present the author’s other main ideas—put these into your own words.4. Attribute each idea to the author throughout the summary.5. In the last sentence of your summary, infer the author’s underlying purpose for writing the essay.6. Omit references in your summary to the examples, rhetorical strategies, and supporting details that the author uses in his or her essay.7. Use quotation marks if you quote any original wording (two or more key words); however, avoid using any direct quotations in a summary. 2: EvaluationIn your paper’s second paragraph, bridge from the summary to a point stating your opinion on the overall validity of Ravitch’s argument. Examine the strengths and weaknesses of her assertions. When evaluating her argument, consider the writer’s use of rational appeal (valid reasoning and credible evidence) and emotional appeal (morals, needs, and language) to convince the audience that the viewpoint is valid. Does she convince her audience that the main role of school is to prepare students to be citizens? How so? What problems are there with how she presents her viewpoint that school should create citizens? What are weaknesses with her argument?
