English 12

Essay Prompt: “Going for the Look”

You will write a 4 paragraph essay on the topic assigned below. Be certain that each body paragraph is a 2 chunk, 1:2 ratio paragraphs.

Passage:

“Retailers defend the approach to hiring based on image as necessary and smart, and industry experts see their point. ‘In today’s competitive retail environment, the methods have changed for capturing the consumer’s awareness of your brand,’ said Marshal Cohen, a senior industry analyst with the NPD group, a market research firm. ‘Being able to find a brand enhancer, or what I call a walking billboard, is critical. It’s really important to create an environment that’s enticing to the community, particularly with the younger, fashionable market. A guy wants to go hang out in a store where he can see good looking gal”.

Prompt:

Explain Cohen’s argument and discuss whether or not you agree or disagree with his position. Even though you may relate to both sides of the issue, you need to decide which of the two is the stronger. Support your position with examples from your reading (Greenhouse), your observations and your personal experiences.

In your introduction, be sure to accomplish the following:

  1. Identify the title, author and source of the Greenhouse article.
  2. Identify Cohen, his position, his place of employment and its function.
  3. Explain the connection between Cohen and Greenhouse.
  4. Without using 1st person, state your position on Cohen’s views. This is your thesis statement.

In each of your body paragraphs:

  1. Begin with a topic sentence that clearly identifies the content of that paragraph.
  2. Support the topic sentence with 2, 1:2 ratio chunks.
  3. Conclude each body paragraph with a concluding sentence.
  4. Each CD should be an embedded quotation from the Greenhouse article; you do not need to cite your sources.
  5. Your CM’s may include your own personal experiences or observations. If so, first person may be used. Otherwise, use no first or second personal pronouns.

In your conclusion,

  1. Do not simply restate the thesis and recap your main points.
  2. Instead, remind the reader of your thesis but use different words and sentence structure.
  3. Follow this with 3 to 5 sentences which analyze why or how this issue is an important one (or is not an important one) in American society.
  4. You might also conclude with a call to action. Propose a solution to the problem.
  5. You also might project into the future. If the current trend continues, where might we as a nation be in 20 years?

No “A” paper will have errors in:

  1. Prounoun-antecedent agreement
  2. Capitalization
  3. Sentence fragments or run-on sentences

An “A” paper will have:

  1. Smooth transitions between paragraphs and examples
  2. Consistent verb tense
  3. Correct punctuation and spelling

You may, of course, us the Greenhouse article.

You may also us the dictionary or the thesaurus.

When you are finished, staple your essay on top of the article and any pre-writing activities we’ve done in class.