Dennis barron
Analyzing an Argument
Examine the Author’s Claim (Thesis)
- Does the writer provide a clear and relevant claim?
- Later, consider whether the writer supports that claim.
Examine the Author’s Purpose
- Why did the author write this argument?
- Is the author trying to persuade, explain, mediate.
Examine the Author’s Methodology
- How effective is the author in accomplishing her goals?
- Does the author quote authorities? Are these authorities really competent in this field? Are equally competent authorities who take a different view ignored?
- Does the writer use statistics? If so, are they appropriate to the point being argued? Can they be interpreted differently?
Methodology Continued
- Does the writer build the argument by using relevant and effective examples or analogies?
- Are the writer’s assumptions acceptable?
- Does the writer consider all relevant factors? Has he or she omitted some points that you think should be discussed?
- Does the writer seek to persuade by means of ridicule? If so, is the ridicule fair?
Examine the Author’s Persona or Voice
- How does the author present herself?
- Is she arrogant? Condescending?
- Is she respectful of her opponents?
- Is she objective in her criticism?
- Is she entertaining? Sarcastic?
Your Objective
- You should be able to analyze how effective the author of a primary text is in writing her essay regardless of how you feel personally about the topic or issue.
- Please avoid arguing the topic being discussed; that’s not your objective.
Questions to Consider
- What’s the author’s thesis (claim)? Is it logical?
- What’s the author’s purpose in writing this essay?
- How effective does the author present the claim and support that claim?
- Is the piece aimed at a particular audience? A neutral audience? Persons who are already sympathetic to the author’s point of view? A hostile audience?
- How does the author’s essay reflect the three appeals: logos, pathos, ethos?
- What’s the author’s tone, persona (voice)? Is it appropriate?
- What assumptions does the author make? Do I share them? If not, why not?
- Does the author ever confuse facts with beliefs or opinions?
- How convincing is the evidence?
- Are significant objections and counterevidence adequately discussed?
- To what extent has the author convinced me? Why? or Why not?
THE BASIC ANALYSIS ESSAY OUTLINE
WRITING THE ANALYSIS ESSAY:
The Introduction
Introduction (Length for this class: 1-3 paragraphs)
- Summarize the primary text
- Situate the reader in terms of the topic
- Include a thesis statement that expresses a value or judgment
The Rhetorical Analysis
Thesis Statements
Your thesis should be a value statement that indicates you are going to assess both strengths and weaknesses in the primary text. Of course, you can focus more on the strengths or the weaknesses. Below are some examples of thesis statements:
- Phillips effectively expresses her opinion by voicing her concern with a stern tone, but she lacks credible evidence, never gives consideration to the opposing side, and presents a lack of examples.
- Stylistically, Jacoby’s paper is written well. However, his gross overstatements, his lack of support for the statistics given, and his attempts to appeal to our emotions leave me wanting more.
- While the author’s opinion on the subject is clearly expressed, her methods are too aggressive and rely on generalizations that don’t allow room for any other opinions except her own.
More Example Thesis Statements
- Although Knoploh does an outstanding job developing the issue at hand, her argument was ultimately weakened by her inability to maintaining a respectful tone, as well as connect the explicit songs to an increase in teens having sex.
- Although he is effective in addressing his audience and capturing their attention, Richard Vedder use correlational evidence inappropriately, ignores the opposition, and presents side issues to distract the reader from his lack of evidence.
- Although her quotes, studies and many examples of song lyrics are solid and are somewhat supportive to her claim, Knoploh’s voice and tone are weak and almost unnoticeable in the whole argument because they are hidden beneath all the examples and statistics; moreover, she depends too much on the lyrical examples and not on enough supporting evidence to develop a strong, convincing argument.
Body of essay (Length for this class: 4-5 paragraphs)
Consider the below issues as you analyze the primary text:
- Claim Development
- Supporting Details
- Tone
- Purpose
- Research
- Assumptions
- Counterarguments
- The use of the three appeals (e.g., Logos, Pathos, Ethos)
Possible Organizational Patterns
in the Body Section
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 | Option 5 |
| Strength (S) | W | S | W | S |
| Strength (S) | W | W | S | S |
| Strength (S) | W | W | S | W |
| Weakness (W) | S | W | S | W |
Conclusion (Length for this class: 1-2 paragraphs
- Summarize the discussion
- Briefly state your position on the topic (optional)
- Bring closure to the topic