Topic > Some Lessons from the Assembly Line: Critical Analysis

The critical analysis essay, "Some Lessons from the Assembly Line" by Andrew Braaksma, explores the author's goal of highlighting the importance of higher education and hard work. It was initially understood that the author's goal was to inform his audience about the importance of higher education and working hard. Therefore, the initial interpretation was based on the belief that he intended to persuade the audience by emphasizing the differences between on-campus and off-campus life. Now, the idea is that the author's goal was not to persuade the audience by noting the differences between life on and off campus, but instead, explain that education is invaluable, can provide a more stable and don't underestimate hard work. In his statement: "Factory life showed me what my future would have been like if I had never gone to university" (Braaksma, para. 6), he recounted his experiences as a factory worker to demonstrate the importance of investment in higher education and that lessons are not just learned in school. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThrough the application of analytical reading techniques, it became clear that two of the original key points mentioned above were not strong enough to support the objective author. Therefore, the choice was made to identify more specific key points that will provide a more solid basis to support the author's claim. A key point from the initial reading of the article was that the author struggled with the reality of workers' wages, as opposed to the life he could afford as a graduate professional. The second key point was the author's sense of guilt for having used his summer job as a factory worker to benefit his financial desire to finish his studies while others made working life their livelihood. The third and deepest key point is when the author shows the maturity and growth achieved by working hard for his money and his dream. The most appropriate audience for this essay will be high school graduates because they have the most to gain from Braaksma's insight. This group is made up of teenagers, aged 17 to 19, contemplating a future in university or the world of work after high school. Providing adequate content to support argumentative reasoning could be a potential challenge when presenting to this particular audience. Another likely challenge could occur if the audience disagrees with the reasoning or evidence presented and challenges the interpretation that supports the author's goal. Appealing to young adults with little or no financial responsibilities or experience outside the parental home will also be a challenge. The author touched on this mentality in his article, but it sets a good example for those students facing a similar decision to his. The goal I hope to achieve at the end of this critical analysis essay is to effectively convey support for the author's point of view that education is invaluable, can provide a more stable career, and do not underestimate hard work. The state of the future is in the hands of the youth and education should be at the forefront. While workers' strong work ethic and willingness to work harder for their earnings are commendable, the career stability and higher salary that comes with having a college degree is less stressful. As a result, knowledge opens countless doors that would otherwise remain closed to the typicalworker. Entering the workforce with a solid educational foundation offers greater leverage and unlimited earning potential in the competitive job market. Therefore, providing additional context will give the audience insight into my decision to agree with the author. As mentioned in the first key point, the writer struggled with feeling undervalued in his role as a factory worker and was obvious in his statement, "There are few things as certain as a college student who has never been in the real world" (Braaksma, par . 4). The mentality of putting in a few hours of work and receiving huge compensation is not a concept easily understood by young adults. They tend "to overestimate the value of their time and knowledge" (Braaksma, para. 4). He further expresses his disbelief by saying, “After a particularly grueling set of 12-hour days in a plastics factory, I remember being shocked at how small my check seemed” (Braaksma, par. 4). However, living on campus is expensive, and a part-time food service or retail job is not as financially rewarding as paying overtime at the factory and saving money from staying home during the summer. (Braaksma, 2005) The struggles of factory life begin to weigh heavily on the author's conscience, as implied in key point two. Evidence of the author's guilt is shown when he states: “Many people spend their lives in the places where I work briefly, spending 30 years where I spend only two months at a time. When fall arrives, I can return to a sunny, beautiful campus while the work in the factories continues. Sometimes I feel almost voyeuristic, like a tourist visiting where other people make a living” (Braaksma, par. 8). Even though the assembly line and equipment demanded his full attention, Braaksma couldn't shake the need to meet his educational requirements, so he garnished a way to sneak in some reading on the job. Noticing his commitment to his studies, one of his colleagues encouraged him to "study hard and keep reading" because he knew firsthand how years of incessant physical labor can wear down the fittest physique (Braaksma, par. 8). point three, the author humbly acknowledges how life in the factory all those summers had a huge impact on his life as a testament to his maturity and growth. In a modest but mature tone, he says, "the things that factory work has taught me--how lucky I am to have an education, how to work hard, how easy it is to lose that job once you get it" (Braaksma, par. 9). Maturing means accepting things for what they are and coming to grips with life's realizations. There are lessons in every aspect of life and no one is exempt from receiving them. The most important thing is to learn how and when to apply them to real life experiences when we think about education means gaining knowledge. Education is a tool that provides people with knowledge, skills, techniques, information, allows them to know their rights and duties towards family, society and the nation. It gives us knowledge of the world around us. It develops in us a perspective of seeing life. Without education, man will not explore new ideas. It means that it will not be possible to develop the world because without ideas there is no creativity and without creativity there is no development of the nation. Education is an essential tool for a bright future for all of us. Meanwhile it is the secret to step onto the stage of success. It is also the main reason for leading a wealthy and respected lifestyle in the current millennial generation. The educational phase plays an important role in everyone's life. It provides a person with one.