Module code: ENG2601
Module name: Applied English Language Studies: Further Explorations
Assignment number: 03
Unique number: 150924
Due: 4 August 2025
, How Tone and Structure Undermine the Argument in "Is College Worth It? Is This
Even the Right Question?"
Introduction
The article titled “Is College Worth It? Is This Even the Right Question?” by Josipa Roksa
and Richard Arum aims to interrogate the true value of a college education in
contemporary America. While the article raises crucial concerns about educational
outcomes, job market realities, and democratic participation, its effectiveness as an
academic piece is diminished by flaws in tone and structure. These elements weaken the
strength and clarity of the authors’ argument and ultimately reduce the article’s persuasive
power. This essay critically discusses how the tone and structure of the article
compromise its academic credibility and undermine its message. Drawing on the content
of the article and insights from the YouTube video “Tone and Structure in Academic
Writing” (YouTube, 2022), the essay explores the interplay between tone, structure, and
argumentation in academic texts.
Understanding Academic Tone and Structure
As outlined in the video Tone and Structure in Academic Writing, academic writing
typically adheres to a formal, objective tone and follows a clear, logical structure. The
tone must avoid emotive or colloquial language, and the structure should support the
development of a coherent and focused argument. Each paragraph should present a
distinct point, supported by evidence and analysis, with clear transitions to ensure flow.
These conventions ensure that ideas are communicated precisely and authoritatively.
In contrast, the article by Roksa and Arum often deviates from these standards. Though
written in a generally formal register, the article's tone oscillates between journalistic and
academic, creating an inconsistency that weakens its authority. Structurally, it lacks
cohesion, with multiple shifts in focus and inadequate signposting that blur the central
Module name: Applied English Language Studies: Further Explorations
Assignment number: 03
Unique number: 150924
Due: 4 August 2025
, How Tone and Structure Undermine the Argument in "Is College Worth It? Is This
Even the Right Question?"
Introduction
The article titled “Is College Worth It? Is This Even the Right Question?” by Josipa Roksa
and Richard Arum aims to interrogate the true value of a college education in
contemporary America. While the article raises crucial concerns about educational
outcomes, job market realities, and democratic participation, its effectiveness as an
academic piece is diminished by flaws in tone and structure. These elements weaken the
strength and clarity of the authors’ argument and ultimately reduce the article’s persuasive
power. This essay critically discusses how the tone and structure of the article
compromise its academic credibility and undermine its message. Drawing on the content
of the article and insights from the YouTube video “Tone and Structure in Academic
Writing” (YouTube, 2022), the essay explores the interplay between tone, structure, and
argumentation in academic texts.
Understanding Academic Tone and Structure
As outlined in the video Tone and Structure in Academic Writing, academic writing
typically adheres to a formal, objective tone and follows a clear, logical structure. The
tone must avoid emotive or colloquial language, and the structure should support the
development of a coherent and focused argument. Each paragraph should present a
distinct point, supported by evidence and analysis, with clear transitions to ensure flow.
These conventions ensure that ideas are communicated precisely and authoritatively.
In contrast, the article by Roksa and Arum often deviates from these standards. Though
written in a generally formal register, the article's tone oscillates between journalistic and
academic, creating an inconsistency that weakens its authority. Structurally, it lacks
cohesion, with multiple shifts in focus and inadequate signposting that blur the central
