Suggestions for Writing

1. Using Ehrenreich as a model, describe a negative work experience (for example, you may have found a boss to be arrogant or you may have encountered prejudice or bias). You can narrate—and comment—but also use dialogue, as Ehrenreich does, to make the situation come alive for your readers.

   Question

   WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=

   Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Suggestions for Writing: Using Ehrenreich as a model, describe a negative work experience (for example, you may have found a boss to be arrogant or you may have encountered prejudice or bias). You can narrate—and comment—but also use dialogue, as Ehrenreich does, to make the situation come alive for your readers.
2. In “Evaluation,” the final chapter of Nickel and Dimed, Ehrenreich observes:

   Some odd optical property of our highly polarized and unequal society makes the poor almost invisible to their economic superiors. The poor can see the affluent easily enough—on television, for example, or on the covers of magazines. But the affluent rarely see the poor or, if they do catch sight of them in some public space, rarely know what they’re seeing, since—thanks to consignment stores and, yes, Wal-Mart—the poor are usually able to disguise themselves as members of the more comfortable classes.

   Write an essay supporting or challenging Ehrenreich’s analysis.

   Question

   WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=

   Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Suggestions for Writing: In “Evaluation,” the final chapter of Nickel and Dimed, Ehrenreich observes: Some odd optical property of our highly polarized and unequal society makes the poor almost invisible to their economic superiors. The poor can see the affluent easily enough—on television, for example, or on the covers of magazines. But the affluent rarely see the poor or, if they do catch sight of them in some public space, rarely know what they’re seeing, since—thanks to consignment stores and, yes, Wal-Mart—the poor are usually able to disguise themselves as members of the more comfortable classes. Write an essay supporting or challenging Ehrenreich’s analysis.
3. Nickel and Dimed takes place from 1998 to 2000. Write an essay explaining whether the author’s experience would be the same or different in today’s economy.

   Question

   WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=

   Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Suggestions for Writing: Nickel and Dimed takes place from 1998 to 2000. Write an essay explaining whether the author’s experience would be the same or different in today’s economy.
4. Write an editorial for a newspaper on a topic related to the issues Ehrenreich raises—for example, a minimum wage, health care, working conditions.

   Question

   WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=

   Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Suggestions for Writing: Write an editorial for a newspaper on a topic related to the issues Ehrenreich raises—for example, a minimum wage, health care, working conditions.
5. How much is the minimum wage? Develop a budget for living for one month as a single person earning the minimum wage (plus tips if applicable) in your geographical area. What kind of living accommodations could you afford? How much money would you have available for food? What would your transportation costs be?

   Question

   WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=

   Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Suggestions for Writing: How much is the minimum wage? Develop a budget for living for one month as a single person earning the minimum wage (plus tips if applicable) in your geographical area. What kind of living accommodations could you afford? How much money would you have available for food? What would your transportation costs be?