CENTRAL ARGUMENT FOR CA ESSAY
Structure: main claim based on a reaction to J. Scott argument; what reasons you bring to support your main claim; what questions do you have about the specific issue you choose, what possible answers; what objections could you have.
NOTES
*it doesn’t matter if you make less money because you’ll receive the same high-quality health care (BUT student acknowledges having to wait a year without care; AND has she read the series in NYT “class and Health? Polish woman from low class is basically on the brink of death because of many reasons, one having to do with culture, education, support group, poverty)
ARGUMENT IN MORE POLISHED FORM
MAIN CLAIM and REASONS: J. Scott asserts that class does matter when it comes health care, and I agree in some respects while disagreeing in other areas. REASON 1: It seems to me that in America you can receive decent care as long as you are insured, and it does not matter to what class you belong. The emergencies room is forced to take you by law no matter what your social status might be. Hospitals have qualified doctors, caring nurses and top equipment. To support this reason I will share a personal story as well as aIDing an outside source describing quality health care in America (ARTICLE NEEDED HERE). For example, my mother, who is a retired nurse aid, received very expensive double-hip surgery, something which she could only dreamed of in her native country. REASON 2: On the other hand, I would argue that class does matter in health matters. Unlike many other Americans, my mother was lucky to have government-sponsored health care. Imagine if the person doesn’t have any time of health insurance and requires specialized intervention, or even basic assistance in the emergency room. Their bill will amount to thousands of dollars, which will weigh on them for a long time, affecting credit and aIDing stress. This actually happened to me. I was forced to pay thousands of dollars in dental and medical bills. The dental care I received was mediocre, and only many years later I was able to find a qualified health provider. (ARTICLE NEEDED) REASON 3 (how class affects health in other ways; read more).

STEPS
1. Choose a weak point in the argument. It can be something you feel the authors didn’t explain enough or something you disagree with. You don’t have to completely agree or disagree or think that their argument is perfect. It cannot be: class issues are complex and require more discussion than what is provided here.
2. Write out some ideas. This is called brainstorming. The goal is to try out some possibilities before you formulate an argument with a thesis and specific reasons. Read some more in the NYT series. Take notes and connect things.
3. Now you have some idea what you’re talking about, you are ready to start a paragraph. Formulate your claim in such a way as to agree/disagree/agree with a difference. Keep it fairly general but not too general. It’s going to be about class and something else, depending on what intrigues the most.
4. Once you have your main claim, support it with reasons and evidence. Don’t be afraid to use personal experience and stories about how class has/hasn’t affected you. Ask other people because you might find something new. Also use 3 outside sources (articles, books).
5. As you read more articles and talk to others, YOUR THESIS MIGHT CHANGE. THIS IS NATURAL BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO. WRITING IS A PROCESS OF REVISION. BUT YOU HAVE TO START FROM SOMEWHERE SO THAT’S WHY YOU NEED A THESIS FAIRLY EARLY IN YOUR WRITING PROCESS.