Writing Prompts

Directions: Type your responses to the items below.

1		What was the most interesting new information you learned in this selection?
2		In paragraph 7, the author lists several common reasons for indebtedness. If you found yourself deeply in debt, which of those factors do you think would have contributed to that happening?
3		If your roommate or best friend confided in you that he or she was several thousand dollars in debt, what advice would you give them to solve the problem?
4		Describe someone your know or know about who became deeply in debt. (Do not use the person's real name.) How did it happen? What effects did it have on the person and others close to him or her? How did he or she solve the problem?

To the Web

Consult one or more of the following websites that pertain to the topic of the reading selection. Then answer the questions based on information obtained from the websites.

www.credit-ed.citibank.com

Citibank offers excellent information about credit and money management for young adults.

5		Under Interactive Tools, click on "Know When to Stop" and then watch this short movie. Next, click on the "Spend Wisely Challenge." Answer the questions. Report your score and tell which category your score put you in. Based on your score, tell whether you think you need to know more about money management and your reason for thinking this. Write a paragraph telling what you learned that was new to you or important.
6		Click on the "Credit Card ABCs" tab. Then click on "Your Credit History," and choose "10 Healthy Credit Tips." (If you prefer, you can go directly to "10 Healthy Credit Tips" by typing in the address http://www.citi.com/us/cards/cm/student/ccabc02.htm. Of the ten suggestions presented, select three that you think would help you keep your credit from "crashing and burning." Explain why you chose those three and how you think they could help you.
7		Under the "Credit Card ABCs' tab, select one of the subtopics. Read the information about it and then summarize it or make a concept map of the information.
8		Under the "Be Protected" tab, select one of the subtopics. Read the information about it and then summarize it or make a concept map of the information.

www.debtsmart.com/pages/article_tywooccd_excerpt.html

This website presents a selection from Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt.

9		Why does the author say it is a "great paying job" to spend time looking into all your credit options?
10		For what reasons does the author view consumers as being "in control" and having the banks at their mercy?

http://www.debtsmart.com/pages/article_10_things_rigg.html

This website presents a selection entitled, "10 Things You Should Know about Credit Card Debt."

11		Of the ten things mentioned, pick three things that are new to you that you think are important or, if you were already familiar with them, describe the three you think are most important.

http://www.fool.com

This website is a financial advice website run by two brothers who call themselves the "motley fools." (They are both highly intelligent, well educated, and have sense of humor.) If you go to the homepage first (it's worth exploring), look for the heading "Tools and Resources." Beneath it is a link entitled "Get Out of Debt." Click on it and go to "Lesson 2: Six Steps for Eliminating Credit Card Debt." If you prefer, you can type in the following address and go directly to Lesson 2:

http://www.fool.com/seminars/sp/index.htm?sid=0001&lid=200&pid=0000

12		Explain the benefits described in the lesson of carrying only one of two credit cards and paying off the balance each month.
13		Evaluate the organization of "Lesson 2: Six Steps for Eliminating Credit Card Debt." Do you think it is well organized? If so, what features do you find helpful? If you do not think it is well organized, explain why.

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/6264395.htm

This article is entitled, "Home Is Where the National Debt Is." As the title suggests, it is about the national debt, the total amount of money owed by the U.S. government.

14		When was this piece posted?
15		What was the nation's debt at the time this selection was posted?
16		Give the two reasons William Greenwood believes the country is capable of wiping out the national debt.
17		Why does economist Leonard Lardaro believe that the national debt is not necessarily a problem?