In the short essay “Two Years are Better than Four” Liz Addison responds to Rick Perlstein ’s essay titled “What’s the Matter With College?” She believes that American community college is where anyone can begin an education, where anything and everything is possible. On the other hand, Perlstein says that college no longer holds importance, and “College as America used to understand it is college coming to an end.” Liz Addison grew up in London, according to their education system an average student needs eight or nine O’levels to their name, whereas she only had one, that is when she decided to come to America and continue her education.…
In Marty Nemko’s article, “We Send Too Many Students to College,” he analyzes and questions whether college is truly worth the money. Marty “holds a Ph.D. specializing in the evaluation of education from the University of California, Berkeley, and subsequently taught there” (martynemko.com) as well as published five successful books. In addition to his novels, he previously was a columnist at San Francisco Chronical and The Atlantic Monthly, also a contributing editor at several other well-known companies. Nemko’s purpose is to convey the idea that, even though there may be reasons one would attend college, the complications overshadow the benefits. He adopts an impassionate tone in order to convince his adult audience to take a hard look at whether it is worthwhile for their children to attend college.…
In “Two Years Are Better than Four”, the author, Liz Addison, let out her concept on the accepting of community colleges. She addresses in acknowledgement to the loss of attention and interest attached on community colleges. In her impression, community colleges do not earn the acceptance and appreciation that they earn.…
After reading the article Two Years Are Better Than Four, I believe the author is reaching out to all people interested in pursuing a higher education. A person doesn't have to be rich or super intelligent to go to college. Addison explains how community colleges are useful to society and allow every student the opportunity to begin. She reminds us that no matter what path we take after high school, community college is always an option, and for some students, an option greatly appreciated.…
In her article “Two Years Are Better Than Four Years,” Liz Addision, a product of the community college system, defends the merits of these open systems of learning. Community colleges admit anyone. While some see this as a detriment to education, Addison sees it as a benefit because it allows a greater number of people to acquire knowledge and hone their critical thinking skills. “The philosophy of the community college...is one that unconditionally allows its students to begin” (Addison 212). The people who attend community college are attending by choice rather than by obligation, as might be true of a traditional school setting.…
On June twelfth of 2001, Linda Lee wrote an article for the Family Circle stating a case against college. Lee attempted using pathos, ethos, and logos to persuade her readers that college is not a necessity in a child’s future. However, numerous of these appeals can easily be contradicted by somebody as simple minded as a high schooler.…
Out of the many poems that we have and have not learnt in English, the two that I would choose for year 7 next year, are, ‘The Lesson’ By Roger McGough and ‘The Man From Snowy River’ by Banjo Patterson. Both poems are enjoyable to read and great for year sevens next year. Each poem also has advanced techniques used to display numerous meanings of the poems.…
Today in America many people question whether or not college is truly worth the stress, time, and cost it throws on an individual. With these “burdens” comes alienation from the outside world with little fun and fulfilling experiences. Some people even say that many college students have zero creativity, and are proud of it. This idea of self-growth and freedom along with a diverting experience, while going through college, is something that Rick Perlstein himself has had the opportunity to do. Unfortunately, Perlstein experienced this in his days, and has come to realization that, “College as America used to understand it, is coming to an end” (Perlstein). With this article being published in the liberal magazine, New York Times, many people, mostly ones who have gone through college, completely disagreed with his opinion. One of those insulted people being Liz Addison. Addison’s claim argues that college is yes, much different, but in a positive way, especially in the community colleges. All together in her one sided- argument, she includes several rhetorical devices to persuade, inform, and emotionally prove her claim. These devices being ethos, and pathos, gives her a strong foundation and effective argument to the liberal audience she is writing her article to.…
“It’s just extremely disappointing and aggravating to have paid all that money and have nothing to show for it other than debt.” proclaimed Michelle Polyakov, an English graduate from Drake University. Polyakov obviously feels that college is not worth the cost and that all someone has to show for the education is debt. College has been deemed, by some, that it is not worth the cost because of the financial loss, the future job security, and the need for “blue collar” jobs. Finances, job security, and the need for manual laborers are all major factors in the debate of college and its cost. The reason being is because not all people are meant to go to college, or their situation just isn’t ideal. College is a privilege, and not every job requires you to have a higher form of learning, but most do. By viewing the debt of a student after graduation, the job security of graduates, and the need for manual laborers, one can infer that college is not worth the cost.…
Mykah Lewis 17 November 2014 ECS B4 Mr.LeeYow Why Does College Matter? Why does college matter? Is college important for us to go to? How can college help us with in life? College is important because if you go to college you could major in more things.…
In America, college is perceived as one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Since elementary school, students are taught so that they can one day attend to a good college. However, the question is: is college the best option? Many would say that it is, including authors David Leonhardt of The New York Times and Freeman Hrabowski, author of "Colleges Prepare People for Life". Even though David Leonhardt and Freeman Hrabowski both address the idea that college is worth it in the long run, Leonhardt provides a further convincing argument by revealing where exactly college fits into our constantly growing society, using persuasive word choice, and constantly incorporating facts and statistics.…
Many people in the U.S. have different views on whether college education is worth it. To some people college education is the gateway to a better life and a future but, to some they are able to become successful without a college degree. A degree from college shows how intelligent that person may be. It may also show how wealthy and elite they are. As for people without attending college demonstrate how uncivilized they are. Or so they say. Some degree pays for themselves off some don’t. The debate over if college education is worth it may have begun when the colonialist arrived from Europe and founded “New College” in 1636. People who argue that college is worth it contend that college graduates have higher employment rates, bigger salaries, and more work benefits than high school graduates. They say college graduates also have better interpersonal skill, live longer, have healthier children, and have proven their ability to achieve a major milestone. People who argue that college is not worth it content that the debt from college loans is too high and delays graduates from saving for retirement, buying a house, or even getting married. They say many successful people never graduated from college. Colonial colleges were mainly founded and attended by wealthy Puritans, and followed the models of…
Addison offers the idea that community college is a place where one can form their “first independent though” and she argues adamantly, “community college is America’s hidden public service gem” (Addison 213). Addison, being a graduate of a community college, knows that community college has become a respectable place to go to get your start without jumping in cold to the harsh educational competition. With cutthroat students and militant professors, Addison offers the hope that college can still be a place of discovery and learning. Addison also offers the hope that all can go to college by taking a simple placement…
“College doesn’t make people intelligent, ambitious, happy, liberal or quick to learn new things. It’s the other way around. Intelligent, …people are attracted to college in the first place” (671).…
Although none of them have ever said so directly, my teachers have often given me the impression that four-year institutions are more educational and beneficial than two-year community colleges. In the discussion of higher education, one controversial issue has been which is more beneficial to young adults trying to get their feet on the ground, a four-year institution or a two-year community college. On the one hand, people in favor of four-year institutions argue that four years of higher education obviously trumpets that of only two year, which a community college offers. The amount of knowledgeable information that can be absorbed by a young mind given an extra two years may be astronomical. On the other hand, those in favor of two-year community colleges contend that the amount of debt collected during those four years at large universities cripples ones ability to get a successful start at life with $300, $400, or maybe even $500 a month student loan payments. Others even maintain the stance that joining the work force directly out of high school is the answer by generating some income without those hairy student loan bills coming in each and every month. It wasn’t after I dove into Liz Addison’s “Two Years Are Better Than Four” that I began to step back and actually think about this on going debate. She begins with a brief story of a guy names Rick Perlstein’s, who’s thought of college, as Americans understand have came to an end. Perlstein’s ideas are based upon the college experience of self-discovery no longer existing as young American’s are prematurely forced into early adulthood; while working, studying and going to school all at the same time is taking away from the true “college experience” and therefor making college not matter like it once had. Addison was quick to correct these allegations as she stated that she herself had attended 2 community colleges where she believes the college experience is still very much alive. She…