by StaceyKoprince Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:13 pm
Just from a practical standpoint, I'd probably choose to agree with this one because a "disagree" essay would be a lot harder to write. It would be tough to have a thesis of "the ability to deal with people is not as purchasable as a commodity" - because all I can really do there is point out that you can't literally purchase the ability to deal with people. But the statement is trying to use a metaphor here - not that you can literally go pick up a package of "ability to deal with people" at Office Depot, but that people can learn to be good at this, and can also choose to work with others who are good at this.
My other option for a "disagree" essay would be to come up with some other thing and argue that this thing, not the aiblity to deal with people, is "worth more than any other commodity under the sun." But now I have to think of some entirely new thing, and that's also harder than just agreeing with the statement.
The opening bit of the quote is a little weird, so I'd probably focus on the "worth more" part of the statement. I could use an example of a company for which I worked that had a succession of Executive Directors, all of whom acted as a buffer between the owner of the company, who was terrible at dealing with people, and the rest of us. The company was very successful during this timeframe, even as a succession of people held the post, because they were all very good at dealing with the owner (as well as the employees). Eventually, someone came in who could not manage the owner very well and, within a few months, the company essentially collapsed because so many people quit.
Just one idea!
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep