Question

essay 1 is our reader response essay. this means you will be reading the prologue to evicted by matthew desmond and analyzing what desmond does well, and what he could be doing better as a writer. what are his strengths and weaknesses?

evicted is a work of ethnographic non-fiction, in which desmond analyzes eviction and poverty in modern america by focusing on the stories of eight families in milwaukee, wisconsin. the prologue sets the stage for the rest of the book, and as you read through the prologue, look at the way desmond presents his core themes and concepts. what does he focus on? what does he spend the most time on? what are his priorities and why?

for the full version of essay 1, you will determine whether desmond demonstrates strong or weak overall writing in the prologue and write six paragraphs: 1 intro paragraph, 2 (or 3) strength paragraphs, 2 (or 3) weakness paragraphs, and 1 conclusion paragraph. if you argue that desmond presents strong writing overall, you will write 3 strength paragraphs, and 2 weakness paragraphs, and vice versa if you argue the opposite.

for this draft assignment, you will write 1 strength paragraph and 1 weakness paragraph. you will construct these paragraphs using the meal plan (check the meal plan powerpoint if you havent already). this means each paragraph will consist of:

main point - what is the specific strength or weakness you will discuss in this paragraph?

evidence - what is a specific quote from the prologue that serves as evidence for this point? include a lead-in phrase for your quote and cite in mla format, i.e.: desmond states, \this is the quote from the prologue\ (desmond 4).

analysis - why does this quote support your claim? aim for at least 2 sentences of analysis here. even if it seems obvious, spell it out.

link - how does this point (whether its one of the strengths or weaknesses) affect desmonds overall demonstration of writing skill in this prologue?

let me know if you have any questions!

Answer:

To successfully complete this draft assignment, you must write two distinct paragraphs—one highlighting a strength of Matthew Desmond's writing in the Prologue of Evicted, and one highlighting a weakness.

Below is a structured guide and a complete model draft demonstrating how to apply the MEAL Plan to both paragraphs.

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MEAL Plan Structural Breakdown

• M (Main Point): The topic sentence. It must clearly state the specific writing strength or weakness you are analyzing.
• E (Evidence): A concrete quote from the Prologue. Introduce it with a lead-in phrase and end with an MLA in-text citation, such as: (Desmond 3).
• A (Analysis): At least two sentences explaining how and why your quote proves your main point. Do not just summarize the quote; explain its rhetorical effect.
• L (Link): A concluding sentence that connects this specific paragraph back to Desmond's overall effectiveness as a writer.

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Model Draft

Paragraph 1: Strength (Narrative Humanization)

• [Main Point] One of Desmond’s greatest strengths in the Prologue is his ability to humanize complex socioeconomic statistics through vivid, empathetic narrative portraits.
• [Evidence] To establish this intimate connection, Desmond writes, "If Jori wants to keep his feet warm, he has to keep his boots on" (Desmond 2).
• [Analysis] This small, sensory detail immediately grounds the abstract concept of poverty in a tangible, physical reality that the reader can feel. By focusing on a child's basic survival strategy in a freezing apartment, Desmond bypasses clinical detachment and forces the audience to confront the immediate human cost of housing insecurity.
• [Link] This narrative intimacy ultimately strengthens the Prologue by establishing a deep emotional investment that compels the reader to engage with the broader sociological arguments presented throughout the rest of the book.

Paragraph 2: Weakness (Narrative Overload)

• [Main Point] Conversely, a notable weakness in the Prologue is the rapid introduction of multiple family narratives, which can temporarily disorient the reader.
• [Evidence] For example, after introducing several distinct households, Desmond quickly shifts focus again, stating, "Sherrena Tarver was a former schoolteacher who had become a full-time landlord" (Desmond 4).
• [Analysis] While these diverse perspectives are intended to illustrate the systemic nature of eviction, the rapid transitions prevent the reader from fully connecting with any single individual at the outset. This structural choice risks overwhelming the audience with a barrage of names, settings, and conflicts before a clear thematic anchor is fully established.
• [Link] Consequently, this dense narrative layering slightly weakens the Prologue's opening impact by prioritizing the breadth of his sociological study over immediate narrative clarity.