Consider what the word “intellectual” even means.

You are writing to convince someone, so imagine that your audience is a very old-fashioned and strict professor who believes that the only valuable things to study are classic works of literature, science, Latin and Greek, etc. They don’t think “street smarts”—or anything other than subjects that are traditionally taught in school—really matter. What can you tell this professor that might convince them that other topics and passions are also worthy of looking at through academic eyes?
PROCESS:
Consider what the word “intellectual” even means. For a topic or activity to be “intellectual,” what qualities should it have?
Think of an activity, hobby, or interest you have that might be seen as “anti-intellectual.”
List some reasons why it might, in fact, be “intellectual” (refer to #1!).
List some of the reasons that people assume it is not intellectual, and think about how you might argue against those reasons.
Consult models of essays on similar topics or following a similar structure, such as Graff’s.

Look at the feedback from your last essay and think about writing writing skills you want to practice or improve in this assignment.
Write your essay!
Read through your completed essay. Make sure that you have a clear thesis and that the bulk of your essay is making an argument in support of that thesis. Check for typos, awkward sentences, generic words that could be replaced with something more specific, and weird grammar.
Your essay should be typed, double-spaced, 3-5 pages in size 12 font. (The page length is flexible, but if you had trouble reaching three pages with the last essay, challenge yourself to try getting there with this one.) It should have a compelling and relevant title (not just “Hidden Intellectualism Essay”). Include your name and the date at the top of your essay.

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