A Response to Jonathan Zimmerman’s, “Why Colleges Should Require a Gap Year”

Internal Assessment Basic Critical Reading STUDENTS

Why Colleges Should Require a Gap Year_ EBSCOhost

In the article, “Why Colleges Should Require a Gap Year”, Zimmerman argues the benefits and advantages that would be a result of taking a gap year in college. A gap year is usually a sign of wealth and privilege, which is why many students can’t afford to take a gap year, however, Zimmerman argues that if colleges were to require a gap year, our nation would be a much more humane place. Zimmerman discusses that students could spend their year in national service which would ultimately help all students become better people and have shared experiences in their service. In college, many students spend their time around people who are like-minded which can be beneficial, but also very harmful. However, if students were to go to national service, they could be surrounded by many different people who don’t often think the same. Zimmerman argues this act of national service could eliminate the views society has on gap years because if students were required to take a gap year, America would be able to create citizens who benefit their community. 

Zimmerman argues that if our government were to require national service, we would be able to see extraordinary benefits in three important ways, the students, the country, and education. Zimmerman claims that this act of national service would “ benefit our students, who would be exposed to the diversity and complexity of America” (Zimmerman). This service includes tasks such as assisting disabled people, clean up our parks, etc, and would overall really help the character development of students in our nation. Not only that, but Zimmerman also claims required service “would also make our nation a more decent and humane place, for everyone” (Zimmerman). Zimmerman follows up by saying that our national education system would be able to produce well-educated students who have gotten new experiences helping out their country. 

Zimmerman is using pathos to approach his audience. He writes out his article in a manner that is always focusing on the benefits of this national service. Zimmerman uses language in a manner that makes his audience aware these students are doing well by committing these acts of service. Zimmerman uses this to make sure the reader notes if they do not approve of this service, they are bad people for not wanting to produce good students. However, great students can still be taught and brought into the country, even without these national acts of service. As a student, I think taking a gap year to provide service for our country is not a bad idea because it could be really beneficial for students to see the diversity of the country. However, if this were to be put into action, it is clear society would frown upon students who don’t want to take a gap year which could be harmful. Taking a gap year could also influence me and other students to become emotionally attached to acts of service and want to do this for a living. 

Work Cited

Zimmerman, Jonathan. “Why Colleges Should Require a Gap Year,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, vol. 66 no. 16, 10 January 2020.