Discussion

Needs – A Discussion What makes the sample essay effective? This requires looking at the writing. What did the writer do well? Try to notice as much as you can.
The narration style is what makes this essay very effective. The author right from the beginning keeps the narrative very simple and has packed the essay with examples that anybody can relate to. These examples help in the driving the point home and makes it very effective. Each example is set in a realistic way rather than hypothetical. If the author had tried to give hypothetical examples, the essay wouldn’t have been this effective. Also the language used is simple and very effective.
2. What specifically was the best thing the writer did for you as a reader and why?
The best thing that the writer did to me as a reader is that he grabbed the attention right from the first word. Never was I bored to read the essay. The flow is continuous as he moves from one example to another. The logical reasoning through out the essay is right on the money. He does not drift from the main topic at any point of time.
3. What was the least effective part of the samples that you read and why?
The least effective part of the essay for me is that audience that it is addressing. The writer fails to establish who his audience is. At some parts hardcore economists are targeted while some target a lay man. The essay would have been more effective if it had targeted any one section of the larger audience.
4. What is the authors thesis? Do you agree or disagree with it?
The author’s thesis is that most of our needs are actually met and we what call needs are not actually our needs. He says that the word need is used in a wrong context. I agree with the author as most of the actual needs that are essential to our survival are actually met. For example, we need at least two meals a day and few liters of water to survive which is already met. Now, if somebody whose basic needs are met says “ I need a burger”, he actually means he wants a burger and not need. Hence, the author’s thesis that most of the needs are actually what we want and are not a necessity is true.