Making College Education More Affordable. Literature & Language Essay (Essay Sample)

Homework: Writing Assignment (30 points total)
YOU ARE TO SOLVE A PROBLEM—you need to write about a solution to some kind of problem that economic reasoning can help solver; the solution you propose does not have to be your own, however, if you use a solution someone else has recommend you do need to properly attribute it to them. If you have questions about this you can ask me.
Regardless of what the solution is or who initially proposed it, you have to describe the economics of the solution using terms that are part of our class—to help with this portion I recommend that you submit a draft, but that is recommended. Consider what economics principles are behind the solution? How does this solution demonstrate economic reasoning (incentives, marginal thinking, opportunity cost, etc.) Use correct vocabulary when describing the solution. Also, for the solution you propose, you need to also indicate why you think it is a good idea or approach, why you think it would be effective. To be balanced, you should also give at least one valid criticism of the proposed solution or some side-effect that critics would use as a reason to not implement it.
CHOOSE ONE FROM THE LIST
1. How to solve the traffic/congestion problem in southern California or any other major city with heavy congestion
2. Alternative strategies to combating poverty
3. Alternative strategies to combating corruption in government or in private companies, organizations, etc.
4. How to make college more affordable
5. How to ensure the European Union stays together?
6. What is an effective way to reduce gun-violence in the U.S.? (hint: look at how other countries have addressed this problem)
Be sure to list your sourcesThe format you use doesn’t matter, as long as it is consistent and easy to follow.
Approx. 2 pages in length --quality of writing is more important than quantity. If you need more space, fine, but I don’t want to read 40 assignments that are 4-5 pages in length.
• 10 points Clarity of the claims/arguments/support
 Can I understand what you are writing about? If English is not your first language and you struggle with it, consider having a native English speaker review it for you, or submit a draft to me
• 10 points Accurate demonstration of economic concept(s)
 Are the economics you describe accurate? Are you attributing the correct principles to the content you are writing about
• 10 points technical features: grammar, spelling, proper attribution of others’ work
YOU DO NOT:
Have to use MLA or some other arbitrary format
Have to use perfect grammar, however I do recommend that you not write how you speak; again, submitting a draft may be helpful in this regard.
Have to cite a set number of articles, resources, etc. You don’t even have to use them if you come up with a solution entirely on your own.
If you have a good idea and you can express it in the economics reasonably well, this is a paper that you could write in a single evening. The instructions/directions above are to help clarify for you your task.
One good source of ideas about how economics can have unique applications to problems can be found by listening to Planet Money Podcast; the Planet Money podcast is a great source for finding ideas but it is by no means the only place, and not every podcast goes deep enough to fully explore the issue at hand, however, it is a fantastic starting point.
Recent examples:
Episode 663: Money Trees
Episode 661: The Less Deadly Catch
Episode 660: The T-Rex in My Backyard
Episode 518: Your Organs, Please
Episode 655: Pay Patients, Save Money
Episode 647: Hard Work is Irrelevant
There are many, many more
Other resources to get you thinking include books such as Freakonomics, Superfreakonomics, and Nudge (do an Amazon search)
If you are not able to come up with a problem to address for this assignment within the next week or so, come to me, and I will either guide you to something, or assign you a subject.
As always, if you have any questions, please ask me (sooner rather than later)