Argumentative Synthesis on gentrification in Tremont/Ohio City

Paper details

In order to pass my freshman English class, we are to write a Capstone essay. This year we are being asked to read a number of selected articles from The Engaged Reader, all of which grapple with—and make distinct arguments about— gentrification. Many of these texts mention, and even focus on, Cleveland, which will ultimately become your focus when developing and defending your argument. Along with choosing from a few of the selected articles from The Engaged Reader, which I will send you, you will have to look up and include your own sources to help strengthen your argument on gentrification. I would like you to use at least 3 sources from The Engaged Reader, and 2 or 3 from other sources found elsewhere. A term first coined in the 1960s, gentrification is defined as the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents (“Gentrification”). There are those who feel gentrification is a boon to an urban area that has suffered severe economic decline, while others view it as a form of social warfare, where one population overtakes another by upgrading neighborhoods and pricing out long-time residents. You will be asked to synthesize the opinions of the sources you read, noting where they agree and disagree about gentrification’s perceived benefits and social costs. You will then formulate your own argument using a gentrified—or gentrifying—neighborhood in Cleveland as your prime example, and defend that argument using the sources you’ve synthesized for support and to engage counter- arguments. I chose to focus this paper on Tremont/Ohio City in Ohio. And although you have to write and explain both the positives and negatives of gentrification, I want the opinion expressed in my paper to be that overall, gentrification is positive. Tremont/Ohio City, which are considered two of the most desirable communities in which to live for young, urbanite professionals. Abutting each other, these neighborhoods were once home to poorer Cleveland residents who worked near and in the city, and both of the neighborhoods still border some of the poorer, tougher areas on the near westside, including the neighborhood where Ariel Castro held three young women hostage for over ten years. You can also access online resources about the neighborhoods currently. City-data.com: http://www.city-data.com/zipmaps/Cleveland-Ohio.html You can type in a neighborhood or zip code and get a wealth of census data. Trulia or Zillow: Look up housing and rental costs, school ratings & crime ratings in any of the neighborhoods. Cleveland’s “Ambassador” Website: http://www.downtowncleveland.com/ Uptown’s Website: http://uptowncleveland.com/ Ohio City’s Website: http://ohiocity.org/ Tremont Neighborhood’s Website: http://tremontwest.org/ Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Website on Opportunity Corridor: http://www.gcpartnership.com/See What-We-Do/Infrastructure-and-Physical-Development/Opportunity-Corridor/Project-Overview The Grassroots Opposition to Opportunity Corridor’s Website: http://opportunitycorridor.com/ The essay should first introduce the topic of gentrification beginning with an interesting and relevant hook, which will lead to an examination of your selected area and your thesis statement. Next a brief summary section (about 1-2 paragraphs) outlining the location, history, demographic makeup, and current relationship to gentrification of your selected area will come after the intro and thesis. The thesis statement is twofold: it should 1) articulate your feelings about what you feel makes gentrification problematic and/or beneficial—or both—and 2) assert your argument about how your selected area can best thrive within the context of gentrification. This might mean supporting gentrification policies, or it might mean coming up with viable solutions to combatting gentrification in your area. Following the introduction you will discuss the conversation surrounding the topic–what do the authors say about the topic and how do those opinions converge and diverge? This makes up the synthesis portion of the assignment and will be the basis for your own argument. You are required to reference at least four sources for this section, and at least two should have opposing/divergent views. Following the synthesis section, you will present your argument—as first outlined in your thesis—and use explanations and supporting evidence supporting your opinion. You will want to directly address those sources that disagree with you in this section, conceding points where necessary and rebutting others. You can conclude by projecting into the future: what will your chosen area look like in 10-20 years if gentrification continues or is halted? **Please note that you are encouraged to insert relevant and instructive photos and maps throughout your essay that help your reader visualize your argument. All images must be cited. Helpful tips for writing the synthesis section: The synthesis should provide the context/background for your argument and in order to clearly synthesize the sources include the following components: A summary of each source including the author and their credentials, title, publication information, and a brief summary of the main ideas. Examine and explain the similarities and differences between all of the sources. Consider the following questions when determining similarities and differences: The authors: Are their credentials similar or different? The occasion: Are the sources similar in occasion and relevancy? The topic: Are they discussing the same topic? The purpose: Is the purpose the same or different? Is one more effective than the others? What is the argument? Are the conclusions the same, different or close? What type of examples did they use? What are the solutions? Same or different? Helpful tips for writing the argument section: In class we have discussed, or will discuss, the necessary components needed to create a logical, formal and organized argument. Those components are: A debatable thesis statement Using accurate and appropriate textual evidence to support your argument Choosing appropriate quotes and paraphrased material to support your argument and not simply restating other people’s opinions or ideas Using evidence that does not support your argument to provide a counter-claim Providing the audience with either a refutation or concession for each counter-claim presented Using appropriate, formal and non-inflammatory language that does not immediately isolate others who do not agree with you Using the rhetorical strategies successfully (ethos, pathos, and logos) to convince your audience.