I need help starting this assignment: Write a 5-page argument, in MLA style, on the value of a college education. Take a look at the templates and model paper in this week's texts to help you. You must include evidence from at least two of this week's readings, against which you could argue, or you could use them to back up your points, or a combination of both—although you must come down firmly on one side of your argument. Evidence used must be integrated and cited in MLA style. Please be sure to check the handbook when citing and integrating source material. Deadlines: The first draft is due to SmartThinking by 5 p.m. Friday, 19 April. The SmartThinking tutor's report must be submitted via Blackboard by 5 p.m. Monday, 22 April. A draft of the essay due to the Peer Review Discussion forum by 5 p.m. Wednesday, 24 April. Your peer review is due by 5 p.m. Friday 26 April. Assignments will be available mid-week. The final draft of your essay is due via Blackboard by 5 p.m. Friday, 3 May. Grading Criteria: Content, Style, Grammar, and Punctuation: 50% MLA paper set-up: 5%—this is all or nothing, so be sure to look it up. In-text citations: 15% End-of-text citations: 15% Integration of citations: 15%

The MLA style is mainly going to affect the paper's works cited page and the parenthetical citations. Consult an MLA style guide for all of the various ways to cite something depending on the source.
The question mentions that you need help starting the paper on a topic about the value of a college education. The first thing that you need to decide is what you believe. You have to decide if the value of a college education is worth it or not. Once you have made the decision to be for a college education or against a college education, you need to form a thesis statement. The thesis statement is going to state your opinion and guide the paper's supporting arguments. Either speaking for or against the college education is going to give you plenty of options. I might consider arguing against. It would likely be an unexpected argument, so your reader might be somewhat intrigued right from the start. Grabbing reader attention is key, so making an argument that might get a passionate response from your reader is a good idea. You could use the cost of tuition and the likely debt that a student is going to graduate with as supporting evidence against the value of a college education. You could also provide evidence about future earning potential in the trades industry. The thesis that might guide your paper could look something like the following thesis statement:
"Although many students feel pressured into obtaining a college education, their time and money might be better spent on entering other post–high school options."
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/how-much-college-tuition-has-increased-from-1988-to-2018.html

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/trade-school-jobs.asp