Author Archives: BERNARDO CASTRO

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Idea #1: What is the purpose of school?

With this essay topic, I would explore the discrepancy (if any) between the intended process and the result of the education and the reality of the institution. Many disagree upon the value of education in its current state and consequently, there exists many opinions and arguments regarding how education should be formatted; all of which could be used/mentioned to build an analytical aspect of my paper.

Related Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/18/the-weekly/nyc-schools-segregation.html

The article discusses the persistent issue of school segregation in New York City, highlighting that despite efforts to promote integration, the city’s schools remain some of the most segregated in the nation. It explores the historical context, current policies, and the impact on students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. – “Resistance to integration is rooted in some parents’ fear that integration will take something away from their children. New York has long maintained a two-tiered system in which parents with resources can send their children to the most popular and highest-performing schools, and black, Hispanic and low-income families are mired in under-enrolled and underperforming schools.”

Idea #2: Is there such a thing as moral development?

This essay will apply Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development to a case study, examining the factors that determine whether a convict should be tried in the adult or juvenile criminal justice system. The analysis within this paper will be centered around applying the idea of moral development (that can potentially be observed in the case study) to views of meta-ethics; the branch of ethics that explores the nature, foundation, and meaning of ethical concepts and judgments.

Related Articles:

– https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/four/marquese.html – Case study outline

–https://www.simplypsychology.org/kohlberg.html – Explanation of Kohlberg’s theory of morality

“Disequilibrium plays a crucial role in Kohlberg’s stages of moral development. A child encountering a moral issue may recognize limitations in their current reasoning approach, often prompted by exposure to others’ viewpoints. Improvements in perspective-taking are key to progressing through Kohlberg’s stages of moral development. As children mature, they increasingly understand issues from others’ viewpoints. For instance, a child at the preconventional level typically perceives an issue primarily in terms of personal consequences. In contrast, a child at the conventional level tends to consider the perspectives of others more substantially. “

Idea #3: Is the idea of “grit” overrated? Is intelligence an inherent quality?

In school, we are generally taught to believe that continuous hard work and dedication will eventually build some extent of intellect. As a student, I’ve subconsciously grown to abide by this theory, though I don’t think it always applies to my experience; the idea of ‘hard work’ does not always seem warranted. In this essay, I would define intelligence, and explore whether this concept is fixed or gradually attainable.

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The Process of Writing

Analogy

Writing, much like cooking, is a process of carefully selecting ingredients (structural components) and combining them with intention, allowing time and care to transform bare elements into something meaningful and satisfying. Particularly, the craft of argumentative writing can best be best compared to cooking seeing that it commonly follows a conventional format, though, configuration is not always desired with the two practices. Nonetheless, here is what I recognize as optimal argumentative writing structure.

Recipe for Argumentative Essay;

  • A thesis statement (firm but flexible)
  • 3-4 claims (ripe and robust)
  • An abundance of evidence
  • Compelling Transitions
  • Conclusion

Among the other components listed in this recipe, the aspect of authenticity is the key ingredient that elevates the final product from merely competent to truly memorable. Authenticity infuses the work with a unique voice, a personal touch that resonates with readers or diners in a way that formulaic approaches cannot. It is the element that gives this writing in itself some sort of substance, open to be interpreted by the reader. This idea is in alignment with what À la Danny Licht presents within Cooking As Though You Might Cook Again, as he emphasizes the concept of non-conformed (true to self) cooking. With argumentative writing, I believe that authenticity brings a distinct benefit. In all of my experience as a writer, I’ve found that it is significantly easier to pre-emptively outline my work when I have a genuine interest for what I am writing about. The most blatant example I can picture is seen in the difference between writing a history research paper and writing about personal experiences. Inherently, I am drawn to self-reflection rather than regurgitating (what is presented as) objectively correct ideas and themes. By virtue of this idea, forcing yourself to write about something you are not passionate about will result in work that inaccurately displays your ability to convey an idea.

Instructions for Cooking (sort of)

Despite their being a given set of components, the order in which you put these pieces together can be completely arbitrary in my opinion. I find it easier for me to insert/extend whatever I have the most ideas about first in my writing. From there, I start to make sense of what I am trying to achieve as a whole, and the process starts to become figuratively similar to solving a puzzle. For instance, if I have yet to develop a thesis for my writing, it is likely that I will draw from the bulk of evidence and analysis that I may have in order to create an overarching contention.

Conclusion

Although it is subject to change, this format for writing is the result of constant, and ongoing, trial and error — not just my own, but that of countless writers, past and present, who have struggled to shape their thoughts into coherent, persuasive arguments. The societal significance of writing stands as universally obvious, seeing that the practice has innovated the way we think, communicate, and perceive.