Here are four individuals telling you their stories of how they became unemployed. In a multi-paragraph essay, apply the theories of unemployment to explain the type of unemployment that each of these individuals is facing and explain which of these individuals qualifies for unemployment benefits:

Two months ago, Marcelle used to work full time in an automobile manufacturing firm. “The factory where I used to work has closed because our market contracted so much, and so I was laid off. This is happening to people all over the country-all you see in the papers is that economic growth has fallen and incomes across the country have fallen. I have been looking very hard for a new job, but have had no luck yet.”

Until last week, Dominic used to work full time as a hair-dresser in downtown Cincinnati. “I decided to quit my job, because I want to move to New York City.”

Until last month, Francine worked part time at a ski resort. “Well, it is summer now, and so the resort is closed. I will apply again in the winter when the snow is back. I am not interested in working until then.”

Two months ago, Beauvoir had been working full time as a secretary. “I was a good typist, but I don’t know how to use a computer. My boss wanted to upgrade the office to computers, and so I was replaced by someone who is computer-savvy. I have been looking for another job, but it appears that I need to learn some computer skills.”

Develop a response that includes examples and evidence to support your ideas, and which clearly communicates the required message to your audience. Organize your response in a clear and logical manner as appropriate for the genre of writing. Use well-structured sentences, audience-appropriate language, and correct conventions of standard American English. 

EXAMPLE OF WHAT TEACHER IS LOOKING FOR:

There are several different types of unemployment and understanding each is critical in determining which of the following individuals qualify for unemployment benefits. They include structural, frictional and cyclical unemployment.

The first type of unemployment is structural unemployment. Structural unemployment occurs when an individual is unable to perform a certain job due to the lack of necessary skills required for that particular job. This can occur when there is a change in technology or a change in consumer preference for a good. The next type of unemployment is frictional unemployment. Frictional unemployment occurs when an individual would like to change their current job position, possibly in search of a better paying or suited position. Frictional unemployment can also occur when an individual changes locations and moves to a new town or city. The final major type of unemployment is cyclical unemployment. Cyclical unemployment occurs when the unemployment rate moves in the opposite direction of the GDP growth rate. This means that when GDP growth is small and there is not a large increase in output, the unemployment rate will increase and will most likely increase to relatively high levels. An additional type of unemployment is seasonal unemployment. Seasonal unemployment occurs when the structure of an economy changes monthly (or seasonally) due to holidays, other important events, or simply changes in seasons such as the summer to the winter. Each of the following individuals can be classified in one of the four types of unemployment categories listed above.

Marcelle, who used to be a full time worker at an automobile factory, has just been laid off due to the factory having a low demand for the products it produces. According to Marcelle, “This is happening to people all over the country. All you see in the papers is that economic growth has fallen and incomes across the country have fallen.” This statement by Marcelle means that the economy is contracting and total output is decreasing. The type of unemployment that Marcelle is currently facing is cyclical unemployment. This is due to the fact that GDP is decreasing and therefore there is less of a demand for the products that Marcelle’s automobile factory produced. Marcelle clearly qualifies for full unemployment benefits.

Dominic, who formally worked full time as a hair dresser in downtown Cincinnati, decided to quit his job so he can move to New York City. This is clearly an example of frictional unemployment. This is an example of frictional unemployment because Dominic quit his job and is leaving his current city of Cincinnati to move to New York. Until Dominic finds a new position in New York City, he will be classified as frictionally unemployed and will receive unemployment benefits.

Francine, who until last month worked part time at a ski resort, is currently no longer in search of a new job. The reason as to why Francine is no longer working at the ski resort is due to the fact that the ski resort is closed during the summer months. She also says that she will only apply for the position again in the winter when the resort reopens. Francine is classified in the seasonally unemployed category. The reason as to why she is classified in the seasonally unemployed category is because changing seasonal conditions caused her to lose her job at the ski resort. Francine however says she is “not interested in working at the ski resort until the next winter season.” This means that technically she is taking herself out of the job market until the point in which the ski resort reopens. This may affect her ability to obtain an unemployment check.

Beauvoir, who had been working as a full time secretary, was recently replaced with a new secretary by her boss. She was replaced because her boss felt that it was time for the company to upgrade to new computers and remove the aging typewriters. Although Beauvoir was a good typist the new secretary that her boss hired was more computer savvy. In order for Beauvoir to find a new secretary position, she will have to learn some new skills with the computer. The type of unemployment that Beauvoir is classified in is structural unemployment. The reason why Beauvoir is classified in structural unemployment is because she lacks the necessary skills needed to perform her job and therefore needs to acquire the particular skills to be able to fulfill her job title. Beauvoir would be able to receive full unemployment benefits while she obtains new skills in regards to typing using a computer.

Each of the previous individuals can clearly be classified into one of the unemployment categories. Each type of unemployment-cyclical, frictional, seasonal, and structural-was represented by one of the individuals above and each individual faces a different challenge in trying to obtain a new job in the future.

  Writing Performance:6 – very effectively communicates the writer’s message. 

Writing Trait:

Commentary: 

Focus & MeaningThis essay demonstrates very effective focus and meaning. It establishes and maintains an insightful controlling idea, demonstrates a thorough understanding of the purpose and audience, completes all parts of the task, and may even go beyond the limits of the task. While the response is not very creative, it does explain its purpose well, and readers have no difficulty understanding it. (“There are several different types of unemployment and understanding each is critical in determining which of the following individuals qualify for unemployment benefits.”) The language of the thesis fits the examples very effectively. (“She also says that she will only apply for the position again in the winter when the resort reopens. Francine is classified in the seasonally unemployed category.”) Language use is appropriate for the audience.

 Content & DevelopmentThe essay develops ideas fully and artfully by using a wide variety of appropriate details for support. The essay’s relevant points explain and illustrate very effectively. (“Seasonal unemployment occurs when the structure of an economy changes monthly [or seasonally] due to holidays, other important events, or simply changes in seasons such as the summer to the winter.”) Supporting details develop the example well. (“Francine however says she is ‘not interested in working at the ski resort until the next winter season.'”) The essay includes facts and statistics, examples, brief narratives or explanations that tell a small story, people’s actual words or quotes, or a definition of a difficult or important word about each of the main ideas.

 OrganizationThe essay has very effective organization. It demonstrates a cohesive and unified structure with an engaging introduction and a strong conclusion, effective use of paragraphing, and effective use of transitional devices throughout. While not creative, the essay does include an effective thesis statement. (“There are several different types of unemployment and understanding each is critical in determining which of the following individuals qualify for unemployment benefits.”) There is also effective use of paragraphing and transitions. The conclusion is very effective and provides closure for readers. (“Each of the previous individuals can clearly be classified into one of the unemployment categories.”)

 Language Use & StyleThe essay demonstrates precise language and word choice, a defined voice, a clear sense of audience, and well-structured and varied sentences. Language and tone are consistent and formal. Coherent style and tone ensure readers thoroughly understand how the main and supporting points of both paragraphs are related and how they strengthen the controlling point/thesis statement of the essay. (“This means that technically she is taking herself out of the job market until the point in which the ski resort reopens.”) 

Mechanics & ConventionsThe essay uses very effective control of conventions and mechanics. There are few or no errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling. For example, each sentence has a subject and a verb, ends with a punctuation mark, is indented when beginning a new paragraph, and begins with a capital letter. (“In order for Beauvoir to find a new secretary position, she will have to learn some new skills with the computer.”)