SEMINAR PREP: Does Gentrification Harm or Help Neighborhoods?

YOUR TASK:

Develop an essay with a thesis statement stating whether you think gentrification harms neighborhoods, helps neighborhoods or does both in varying degrees.

Reference evidence from the texts, speakers, websites etc. we have used in class and that you have looked over at home. Use direct quotes and summaries of arguments, stating the author’s name (or, in the case of the websites, The NY Times).

Explain why the quotes and references to texts you have chosen are significant.

Example: According to the article Towers and Tenements, the city has developed a proposal to slow the effects of gentrification by giving landlords in newly gentrified areas tax credits so that they can afford to keep their lower paying residents. This is significant because even though it does not stop the spread of gentrification, it allows for lower-income residents to not be displaced, therefore, they can benefit from the good things that gentrification brings to an area.

Use the language of nuance. Gentrification is a complex issue and often contradicts itself. Use the language of nuance such as:

Even though
At the same time,
Primarily,
In spite of
Although

Organization: Use TEAL (Topic sentence, evidence, analysis and link back to thesis) to organize your essay. LOOK AT YOUR ROADMAP!

Proofread, proofread, proofread!

**WARNING!!** The word “Gentrification” is a NOUN. But it can also act like a verb. As a verb it acts just like a word in Spanish. Below are the conjugations of the verb To Gentrify:
PRESENT TENSE PAST TENSE
I gentrify I gentrified
You gentrify You gentrified
He/she gentrify he/she gentrified
We gentrify We gentrified
They gentrify They gentrified

Finally it can also act like an adjective, which is a word used to describe a noun. Example: This is a gentrified (adjective) neighborhood (noun).