"Overrated" Argument Prompt

The term “overrated” is often used to diminish concepts, places, roles, etc. that the speaker believes do not deserve the prestige they commonly enjoy; for example, many writers have argued that success is overrated, a character in a novel by Anthony Burgess famously describes Rome as a “vastly overrated city,” and Queen Rania of Jordan herself has asserted that “[b]eing queen is overrated.”

Yet, one could also argue that there are just as many concepts, places, roles, etc. that are underrated in our world. Consider, for example, five-year-old Cole Semien, who wants nothing more than to experience riding the school bus. His excitement about this seemingly mundane experience is articulated in “The Squeals On the Bus” (This American Life, Episode 692, Act Two).

Select a concept, place, role, etc. to which you believe the term “underrated” should be applied. Then, write a well-developed essay in which you explain your judgment. Use appropriate evidence from your reading, experience, or observations to support your argument.