There is no right or wrong answer. Your goal is to argue persuasively. Your writing must include analysis of both the numerical and verbal evidence given in the prompt. Then you may add additional details to support your position. Do not simply restate the information in the problem. Consider the pros and cons of your position, and directly address objections your reader might have to your arguments.

Question:

Becca Johnston is at a crossroads. She has been working out of her home in Boise, Idaho, making gold-plated holiday ornaments for the past three years, ever since she gave up work as a real estate agent. That job had been too demanding for the mother of pre-school twins. "You have to work at it all the time," she complained to a friend and real estate agent, Mei Nguyen. The pace of the holiday ornament business is more predictable, and she loves the creativity it requires. In the spring Johnston solicits custom orders and works on designs. In the summer she communicates with a supplier on the East Coast. In the fall she advertises her ornaments and processes orders. In November she and her husband, who works full time at his own automobile repair shop, pack and ship ornaments out of their basement. Profits for last year were $30,000, about double those of the year before. But Johnston misses being around people and would like to earn more money. Now that her kids are in school, she is considering the idea of becoming a residential real estate appraiser. Estimating the value of residential property at various times (such as prior to a sale, when getting insurance, in the event of a loss, or during a divorce or bankruptcy), she would be in frequent contact with other adults. Johnston estimates start-up costs at about $10,000to cover a 75-hour licensing course, business stationery, professional association dues, and cameras. She has read an estimate of typical annual revenues (gross income before expenses) of $40,000, based on completing four appraisals a week at $200 each. The city of Boise has recently experienced a growth in population and a subsequent rise in demand for the construction of new homes. Johnston asks Nguyen for advice. Should she stick with the ornaments or make the career change into real estate appraisal? In the role of Mei Nguyen, write a letter to Becca Johnston persuading her of the direction you think she should take. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ There is no right or wrong answer. Your goal is to argue persuasively. Your writing must include analysis of both the numerical and verbal evidence given in the prompt. Then you may add additional details to support your position. Do not simply restate the information in the problem. Consider the pros and cons of your position, and directly address objections your reader might have to your arguments.