Hello,
I am preparing to take the CLEP College Composition test and I wrote this little essay during one of my practice runs. Let me tell you, that 30 minutes goes by in a flash! I'd like to get some input on what I could improve. Please keep in mind that there is no time for revision. Essentially, this is at best a rough draft even if I get lucky and spit out something pretty.
Thanks folks
Matt
aka ultramanjones
Colleges need to have a mandatory core curriculum, required classes that all students must take, regardless of their major.
Though core curriculum courses can be tedious and boring to some students, these courses are necessary for attaining a complete college education. Core curriculum classes include fundamental skills like mathematics and english composition and literature. The basic skills learned in these courses become building blocks for the achieving higher levels of knowledge in all of the courses that follow.
The pieces of literature studied in English Composition and Literature classes may not be of great interest to many students whose majors are not centered in the liberal arts, however, learning how to write concisely and to frame thoughts into a form that is easily presentable to others will become a tool used throughout the students' futures. Most importantly, higher level classes in most all disciplines require the writing of research papers and essays to prove a that students have a firm grasp of the concepts they have been given to learn.
Mathematics tools come into play throughout the college experience. Fundamental math classes are a prerequisite for many higher level classes for a good reason. A college structures its curriculum in such a way that students will be prepared with the appropriate knowledge. In the case of math, algebra must come before trigonometry and trigonometry, in turn, must come before calculus. These tools are necesarry for many disciplines, including physics, computer programming, networking, drafting and statistics.
Students may argue that, because they are taking intending carreers in the liberal arts, that they should not have to take mathematics courses. This assumption, on their part would be erroneous, especially in this high tech world. Most assuredly they will be required to use a knowledge of math during the course of their carreer and certainly it will come to play as a method of presenting data in their writing. Alternatively, those pursuing carreers centered in technical fields will assuredly need writing skills to present their discoveries to others or perhaps to maintain a professional blog about their programming exploits, for instance.
Core curriculum courses are a necessary building block for the futures of all college students.
Core curriculum classes include fundamental skills like mathematics, E nglish composition and literature.
The basic skills learned in these courses become building blocks for the achieving higher levels of knowledge in all of the courses that follow.
Most importantly, higher level classes in most all disciplines require the writing of research papers and essays, to prove a that students have a firm grasp of the concepts they have been given to learn.
Students may argue that, because they are taking intending carreers in the liberal arts, that they should not have to take mathematics courses.
... of math during the course of their careers and certainly it will come into play as a method of presenting data in their writing.
Alternatively, those pursuing careers centered in technical fields will assuredly need writing skills...
This is actually great, you sure did a lot with your half hour!
:)
Thanks for the input, EF_Susan!
I actually saw those mistakes, but not during the 30 minutes so I had to leave them in there. Personally, I think that the essay should have more colorful evidence. It seems kind of gray and plain to me. I think I should have used specific examples instead of just stating what I thought of as generally held knowledge. Providing lucid examples, anecdotes from my life, or references off the top of my head that quickly is tough, but I'm working on it. I'll be posting the 40 minute version with given references soon.
Thanks again.
Cheers!
PS. Anybody else, please feel free to add your opinions or advice. Thanks.
