Should College Athletes Be Paid Essay Example

The argumentative essay deals with the controversy of whether college athletes should or should not be getting paid. According to the argumentative essay, the author states why many argue that college athletes should be getting paid and why others argue that college athletes shouldn’t be getting paid. This essay is considered an argumentative essay instead of a persuasive essay due to the fact that the essay not only achknolwdges the reasons why it would be best if college athletes did and didn’t get paid, it also disproves each of the opposing arguments. The author’s claim is that college athletes shouldn't be getting paid. The author’s counterargument is that paying college athletes would lead to many benefits. I would improve this argument by beginning with the claim. That way, the readers would automatically know what side of the dispute the author is on. This emphasizes that the argumentative essay examines both sides of the argument and eventually states the author’s opinion. 

Instead of a persuasive essay, this essay would be considered an argumentative essay because this essay states both arguments and reasons on whether college athletes should or shouldn’t be getting paid. This essay also states each counterargument and helps justify the author’s opinion.  For example, according to paragraph 4, it says, “In fact, roughly a third of student athletes surveyed stated that receiving a salary while in college would make them “strongly consider” remaining collegiate athletes longer before turning pro.” Many believe that college athletes should be getting paid. One reason is because it would persuade them to remain longer at college. Due to the fact that many college athletes didn’t get compensated, it made them more likely to depart from college. To add on, according to paragraph 10, it states, “Adding a salary to that would result in a college athletic system where only a small handful of athletes (those likely to become millionaires in the professional leagues) are paid by a handful of schools who enter bidding wars to recruit them, while the majority of student athletics and college athletic programs suffer or even shut down for lack of money.” Many believe that college athletes shouldn’t be getting paid. One reason is because if college athletes got salaried, it could result in a small amount of students getting paid more than others. This shows why the author believes that it would be more adequate if college athletes didn't get paid.

 The author’s claim is that college athletes shouldn't obtain a salary. The author asserts how only a limited number of college athletes would be able to make a tolerable amount of money. The author also affirms that college athletes already make an ample amount of benefits. For instance, according to paragraph 7, it states, “Nearly all the money the NCAA makes comes from men’s football and basketball, so paying college athletes would make a small group of men--who likely will be signed to pro teams and begin making millions immediately out of college--rich at the expense of other players.” If college athletes were paid, most of them would hardly make any money while a very small group of them would make money. In addition, according to paragraph 10, it says, “While both sides have good points, it’s clear that the negatives of paying college athletes far outweigh the positives. College athletes spend a significant amount of time and energy playing for their school, but they are compensated for it by the scholarships and perks they receive.” Here, the author directly articulates that there are further conflicts when it comes to paying college athletes than benefits. The author also says how college athletes already make many benefits, such as scholarships and they are able to receive so many perks, such as medical care, free food, housing, and textbooks, travel perks, free gear, and top coaching. These details help interpret the reasons as to why it would be more advantageous  if college athletes didn’t get paid. 

The author’s counterclaim is that college athletes should be getting a salary. The author conveys how many believe that college athletes should get more compensation for what they do. Eventually, the author discloses how college athletes receive enough compensation. According to paragraph 3, it says, “If there were no college athletes, the NCAA wouldn’t exist, college coaches wouldn’t receive their (sometimes very high) salaries, and brands like Nike couldn’t profit from college sports. In fact, the NCAA brings in roughly $1 billion in revenue a year, but college athletes don’t receive any of that money in the form of a paycheck.” Many believe that college athletes  should get paid since they help bring benefits towards coaches, certain brands, and the NCAA by enthralling others, training, and engaging in sports. Conversely, paragraph 8 states, “The top athletes already receive scholarships that are worth tens of thousands per year, they receive free food/housing/textbooks, have access to top medical care if they are injured, receive top coaching, get travel perks and free gear, and can use their time in college as a way to capture the attention of professional recruiters.” This shows the many benefits college students already receive due to their work. Overall, the author helps justify the claim by negating the opposing argument, which helps depict what’s reprehensible about it. 

I would enhance this argumentative essay by expounding the claim in the beginning of the argumentative essay, instead of towards the end. To demonstrate, according to paragraph 2, it says, “They could be in the form of a free-market approach, where athletes are able to earn whatever the market is willing to pay them, it could be a set amount of money per athlete, or student athletes could earn income from endorsements, autographs, and control of their likeness, similar to the way top Olympians earn money.” In the first sentence of the essay, the author clarifies the topic the essay will be deliberating. Then, the author goes on to illustrate the various ways athletes could get paid. Instead, I would discuss the side of the argument that I comply with. This would help the readers recognize what side of the argument the author is on. Also, according to paragraph 10, it states, “While both sides have good points, it’s clear that the negatives of paying college athletes far outweigh the positives.” The author states the claim towards the end of the essay. Explaining the claim in the beginning would help the readers get a better perception as to why the author designated that side of the argument. In short, the readers would be able to understand the essay better when knowing the claim from the start and it would help fulfil more of the purpose of an argumentative essay, which is to substantiate a claim or opinion. 

This argumentative essay discusses the debate on payment for college athletes. This essay is considered an argumentative essay since the essay mentions the reasons for each argument and presents a claim while disproving the opposing argument. The author’s claim is that it would be more beneficial if college athletes didn’t get paid. The author’s counterargument is that college athletes should be getting paid. I would improve this argument by starting with the claim, instead of putting the claim at the end of the essay. The essay demonstrates the reasons why college athletes shouldn't get compensated and why the author sides with this argument. The argumentative essay also explains that college athletes should be getting salaried and displays the reasons as to why they should be getting paid. In conclusion, there are further reasons and further benefits as to why college athletes should not be getting paid, compared to why they should get paid.