ENG2601 Assignment 3 2025
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 4 August 2025
(3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS PROVIDED)
The Impact of Tone and Structure on the Academic Effectiveness of ‘Is College Worth
It?’
The article Is College Worth It? Is This Even the Right Question? by Josipa Roksa and
Richard Arum explores important concerns about higher education and its failure to equip
students with essential skills for life after graduation. Although the subject is significant and
the register mostly formal, the tone and structure of the article weaken its value as a credible
academic text. This essay will argue that the conversational tone and fragmented structure
of the article reduce the strength of the authors’ message, making the argument less
convincing and less suitable for academic discourse. Evidence from the article, the EAP
Foundation video on academic writing, and key insights from Tutorial Letter 501 will support
this argument.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
(3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS PROVIDED)
The Impact of Tone and Structure on the Academic Effectiveness of ‘Is College
Worth It?’
The article Is College Worth It? Is This Even the Right Question? by Josipa Roksa
and Richard Arum explores important concerns about higher education and its failure
to equip students with essential skills for life after graduation. Although the subject is
significant and the register mostly formal, the tone and structure of the article
weaken its value as a credible academic text. This essay will argue that the
conversational tone and fragmented structure of the article reduce the strength of the
authors’ message, making the argument less convincing and less suitable for
academic discourse. Evidence from the article, the EAP Foundation video on
academic writing, and key insights from Tutorial Letter 501 will support this
argument.
One of the major weaknesses of the article lies in its inconsistent tone. While the
topic requires an objective and evidence-based tone, the authors often use an
informal and overly conversational style. For example, the phrase there is no doubt
sounds assertive but lacks the cautious, evidence-driven tone expected in academic
writing. According to the EAP Foundation video, academic writing should avoid
emotional or exaggerated statements and instead use hedging to acknowledge
complexity. The authors’ tendency to make sweeping claims without sufficient
qualification reduces the credibility of their argument. This issue becomes clearer
when they write college graduates fare much better in the job market without
considering variations across fields, institutions, or socio-economic backgrounds. A
more cautious tone would have enhanced the academic quality of the argument.
The structure of the article further weakens its academic impact. Instead of following
a clear, logical order, the article shifts quickly between topics, such as financial
difficulties, critical thinking skills, and democratic participation. These shifts interrupt
the flow of argument and make it difficult for the reader to see the connection
between the different points. As discussed in Study Unit 5 of Tutorial Letter 501,
academic writing must show logical development of ideas through topic sentences,
evidence, and explanations. The article often fails to build its ideas systematically.
For instance, the discussion about the Collegiate Learning Assessment is followed
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 4 August 2025
(3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS PROVIDED)
The Impact of Tone and Structure on the Academic Effectiveness of ‘Is College Worth
It?’
The article Is College Worth It? Is This Even the Right Question? by Josipa Roksa and
Richard Arum explores important concerns about higher education and its failure to equip
students with essential skills for life after graduation. Although the subject is significant and
the register mostly formal, the tone and structure of the article weaken its value as a credible
academic text. This essay will argue that the conversational tone and fragmented structure
of the article reduce the strength of the authors’ message, making the argument less
convincing and less suitable for academic discourse. Evidence from the article, the EAP
Foundation video on academic writing, and key insights from Tutorial Letter 501 will support
this argument.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
(3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS PROVIDED)
The Impact of Tone and Structure on the Academic Effectiveness of ‘Is College
Worth It?’
The article Is College Worth It? Is This Even the Right Question? by Josipa Roksa
and Richard Arum explores important concerns about higher education and its failure
to equip students with essential skills for life after graduation. Although the subject is
significant and the register mostly formal, the tone and structure of the article
weaken its value as a credible academic text. This essay will argue that the
conversational tone and fragmented structure of the article reduce the strength of the
authors’ message, making the argument less convincing and less suitable for
academic discourse. Evidence from the article, the EAP Foundation video on
academic writing, and key insights from Tutorial Letter 501 will support this
argument.
One of the major weaknesses of the article lies in its inconsistent tone. While the
topic requires an objective and evidence-based tone, the authors often use an
informal and overly conversational style. For example, the phrase there is no doubt
sounds assertive but lacks the cautious, evidence-driven tone expected in academic
writing. According to the EAP Foundation video, academic writing should avoid
emotional or exaggerated statements and instead use hedging to acknowledge
complexity. The authors’ tendency to make sweeping claims without sufficient
qualification reduces the credibility of their argument. This issue becomes clearer
when they write college graduates fare much better in the job market without
considering variations across fields, institutions, or socio-economic backgrounds. A
more cautious tone would have enhanced the academic quality of the argument.
The structure of the article further weakens its academic impact. Instead of following
a clear, logical order, the article shifts quickly between topics, such as financial
difficulties, critical thinking skills, and democratic participation. These shifts interrupt
the flow of argument and make it difficult for the reader to see the connection
between the different points. As discussed in Study Unit 5 of Tutorial Letter 501,
academic writing must show logical development of ideas through topic sentences,
evidence, and explanations. The article often fails to build its ideas systematically.
For instance, the discussion about the Collegiate Learning Assessment is followed
