Grade my essay pls

Fury29
Tue, 25 Aug 2020 05:06:53 +0000

How’s this?

In his article, “Why We Should Work Less”, Richard Schiffman argues that work-hours of average Americans should be reduced as doing so would be beneficial for the workers, the economy, and the country as a whole. He builds his argument using personal anecdotes, facts, and relevant data.

Schiffman starts his article off with two personal anecdotes that illustrate the problems caused by working long hours. For instance, he talks of a friend who is “routinely forced to work late and at home on weekends-often without pay”. He talks about another friend whose job was “killing” her as she “takes her work home with her which has taken a toll on her personal life, health, and sleep.” Sharing these real-life examples, Schiffman draws in his readers and establishes working long hours as harmful for the workers. Moreover, the anecdotes allow the readers to see the real picture of working conditions in America.

Schiffman takes his argument further, providing facts that outline the benefits of working less and refutes counter-arguments. For example, opponents of reducing work hours argue that “grueling work schedules are necessary to boost productivity”. But the fact that “Americans work already work hundreds of hours a year more than their counterparts in developed countries” counters that argument effectively. Schiffman also states the benefits of shorter work weeks through fact like, “Historically, shorter workweek have been as large a creator of new jobs as market growth”. In doing so, Schiffman strengthens his claim and shows the positive impacts of shortening work hours. Besides, the comparison of Americans’ work hours and work hours of other developed countries compel the readers to reconsider the relation between development and work hours. This helps readers realize emulating lenient work hours is possible without serious drawbacks.

Finally, Schiffman provides results of relevant studies that appeals to the readers’ sense of logos. For example, he tells us “…nearly half of Americans surveyed in 2004 by the Center for a New American Dream said that they would be willing to accept a smaller paycheck in return for more time with their families…”. Schiffman furthers his claim by talking about another study that estimates a decline of 20% in energy consumption if US was to emulate workweeks of Western Europe. If we look at how the data contributes to the overall article, we see that they provide a logical and statistical basis to all of Schiffman’s previous paragraphs. In fact, thee results leave very little for doubt and counter-arguments in the mind of the reader. The final paragraphs provide a fitting crescendo that drives Schiffman’s point home.

In conclusion, by using anecdotes, facts, and empirical evidence, Schiffman argues in favor of reducing work hours. Appealing mostly to the reader’s sense of reason, Schiffman establishes reducing work hours as beneficial for the people, the country, and the planet.