While often jocose and occasionally hyperbolic, Hunter Maats and Katie OBrien make many research-supported points in The Straight-A Conspiracy. Foundational to the rest is [t]he idea that [a person has] to be born smart . . . is the [w]orst [i]dea [e]ver (Maats and OBrien 15). You will write an MLA formatted essay that refutes or supports this assertion, correctly incorporates in-text/parenthetical citations, and is between 750-1250 (3-5 pages, excluding your necessary Works Cited page). Your essay MUST incorporate at least two of the following three primary sources in support of your thesis:
Platos Republic (Book VIs section on epistemology and/or Book VIIs section on education),
Platos Meno
Stephen Jay Goulds The Monsters Human Nature
Further, you can use any other sources (e.g., books, articles, podcasts, documentaries, videos, etc.) that you but all sources must be correctly cited.
Your primary objective on this assignment is to develop and present a clear and cogent thesis statement1 of your own on the topic of peoples not being born smart that is as limited and direct as possible yet still broad enough to incorporate the minimum two primary sources you must cite (as well as any others sources you choose to incorporate).
Your secondary objective is to support your thesis (A.K.A. argument)2 with an with a clear essay structure (refer to CH. 8 of Maats and OBriens The Straight-A Conspiracy, that chapter’s “perfect paragraph” as I called it on the Essay Structure Review” page of the Week 8 Canvas module, and/or all 7 enumerated tabs on “The College Essay” page of the Week 3 Canvas module as necessary).
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