Which of these two works best and most effectively represents the social problem illustrated in each work?

A Comparison of Two Works

Our goal:
We will compare Chapter 1 from Nomadland to Chapter 7 from Weapons of Math Destruction. Your job as the author of this essay is to answer this question: Which of these two works best and most effectively represents the social problem illustrated in each work? Elaborate on how and why the work you have selected is the most effective.

In order to answer this question, you should identify what social problem or trend both chapters intend to illustrate. You must articulate the social problem from the outset of your essay. In other words, you must frame the reference or establish the context and criteria that you will work within as the author of this essay. You must describe what both O’Neil and Bruder see as the major issue that has lead them to write and think about this social problem. Let us consider our basic questions on the context from our earlier powerpoints: What social or cultural expectations do these two works address? What associations can you make between the two works? Why is society currently concerned with the problems and ideas outlined in both works? (Hint: The American Dream or the promise of upward mobility may be at stake).

Once you have established the context and frame of reference for both works, you should develop grounds for comparing these two works. What criteria will you use to determine which is more effective in its representation of this social problem? Will you compare the strength and limitations of the genre the works have been written in (non-fiction)? Will you compare the authors and their level of expertise as a means for establishing one source as more effective than the other? Will you compare the supposed purposes these authors seem to be exploring in their works? You must choose the criteria for the comparison. Note: make certain to pay close attention to the organizational scheme outlined by the reading on comparative writing. Will you complete a text by text or point by point analysis.

You should:
Find more sources that complement the ideas in either Weapons of Math Destruction or some of the facts presented in Nomadland. For example, perhaps you would like to better understand the growing trend of “Van Life” or Tiny Homes. What has lead to this particular social moment? How has efficiencies in technology contributed to this problem? Or, you may choose to collate together interviews from both the authors as they have discussed their works. This information may assist you in better understanding the overall context for your essay.

Requirements:
Essay Length: 4-5 pages.
A Works Cited page that is separate from the body of the essay.
Accurate and complete in text citations in MLA format.
You must participate in a draft workshop of some form. If you miss the scheduled workshop, then you are required to visit the Writing Center to review your materials with a tutor there.

Materials:
Bruder, Jessica. ”Chapter 1.” Nomadland. W. W. Norton and Company, New York. 2017. Print.

O’Neil, Cathy. “Chapter 7.” Weapons of Math Destruction. Broadway Books, New York. 2016.

Print.

Last Completed Projects