Week 3 Tutorial: Close-reading the system

A structured close read of the Trapped in the System case, separating checkable claims from testimony

Graded checkpoint, checked live at the start of the session · Weight: 2%

Before the session#

Read the Renwu magazine “Delivery Riders, Trapped in the System” case study set for this week. Pull one claim you think is checkable in principle (even if you haven’t checked it) and one that is pure testimony — something only the rider quoted could know. Write both down with a page or section reference.

In the session#

Small groups build a shared table of claims from the piece, sorted by how verifiable each one is — a stated delivery-time average is checkable against platform disclosures or reporting; a rider’s account of how a penalty felt is not. Groups attempt to corroborate one checkable claim using only sources available in the room (lecture slides, linked reporting, your ETA log from week 2).

Afterwards#

This sorting exercise is the method the system-up-close essay needs — keep your table.