Written Analysis Essay Assignment

Eng. 1002G Unit 2 Assignment: Written Analysis Essay Assignment

Directions: For this assignment you will perform a close reading of a written argument from our Perspectives on Contemporary Issues text. You must choose to analyze either “Hip-Hop’s Betrayal of Black Women” or “The Worst Is Yet to Come” (pp. 214-228). Your discussion of the essay will include a summary of the writer’s thesis/goals, claims and reasoning, as well as the rhetorical strategies he/she uses to try to convince the reader. Ultimately your essay will assess the overall effectiveness of the essay (i.e., is the author’s point of view or position convincing). The Introduction (length - 1 paragraph minimum) – Rhetorical Context: Provide an overview of the topic/issue addressed by the essay and any noteworthy context that explains why the image may have been created at this time (that is, time of its publication). Clearly state the writer’s main argument and/or what he/she hopes to achieve by creating this essay. Your introduction should end with a clear thesis statement that briefly relays your assessment of the argument (i.e., explain whether or not you find the essay convincing/effective or not). The following focus areas and guiding questions can help you as you craft your introduction. You do NOT have to address all of these (in fact, some may not be relevant) but many of these are useful questions to think about as you study and analyze in detail your selected essay:

• Examine the situation prompting the writer to create the essay, often referred to as the rhetorical context. Try to determine why it was created. Is there an ongoing debate about this topic that prompted this writer? Is the essay directed toward a specific audience? If so, what characteristics, interests, and or/experiences would the people in this audience have in common? Would they be likely to have any biases concerning the topic? What does the author hope to achieve by creating this image?

• Review the biographical blurb for the writer, if available. What is his or her occupation? Personal background? Political leanings? If this seems important and is not evident from the essay itself, sometimes you can consult other sources to find information about the writer/author.

• Summarize the main claim, or thesis, of the essay. What is the main point the author is seeking to make? The author may or may not state this directly, but you should always state your idea of his or her main claim in your analysis as a complete sentence, and then you should deliver your thesis statement—how you view the effectiveness of the author’s argument.

The Body (length 2 paragraph minimum) – Analysis & Evaluation of Argument: This section will make up the bulk of your essay. Here you will present your detailed analysis of the argument contained in the essay and your evaluation of its overall effectiveness. You must analyze and evaluate the content of the essay— think about organization, appeals, kinds of evidence, use of language, etc. You must also analyze either the rhetorical strategies the author uses to attempt to sway the audience or the ways in which the author’s style of design itself impacts the argument. (You may analyze both if you like.) The following focus areas and guiding questions can help you as you craft your body paragraphs. You do NOT have to address all of these items below (in fact, some may not be relevant) but many of these points are useful to think about as you study and analyze in detail your selected essay: Content (Attending to the Logos of the Argument)

• Identify and evaluate the reasons the author gives for making the main claim. Are they really good reasons? Are they relevant to the main claim? Sometimes authors present only one or two reasons, often spending much time developing and supporting just one reason.

• Identify, analyze, and evaluate the evidence given in support of the reasons. What kinds of evidence are given (data, anecdotes, case studies, citations from authorities, research studies)? Is the evidence good (sufficient, accurate, relevant, credible)? Question evidence in terms of both quality and quantity.

• Determine what underlying assumptions the author might have. What ideas, beliefs, philosophies, does the author seem to accept as mutually understood between himself or herself and the audience? Are these assumptions valid?

• Note refutations. These are efforts the author makes to anticipate objections and answer them in advance. Try to determine whether or not the author demonstrates clearly why these objections, or counterclaims, do not undermine the basic argument the author is trying to make.

• Note key terms or concepts. Does the author define these adequately? Would most readers agree with these definitions? What clarifications might be needed?

• Note analogies and comparisons. What connections does the author make between ideas and concrete examples? Are these appropriate? Are the things being compared truly similar?

Audience (Attending to the Pathos of the Argument)

• How effective is the writer in using audience-based reasons? Where in the image it is evident that the author is playing to a particular audience and its values/fears/etc.?

• How does the writer use language, examples, and analogies to tap readers’ emotions, values, and imaginations? Note the use of imagery, visual metaphor, suggestive or loaded language, anecdotes, humor, etc.

Writing (Attending to the Ethos of the Argument)

• How does the writer’s design and presentation contribute to the impact of the argument? Is it understandable? Does it appeal to or adopt any recognizable conventions?

• Does the writer depict or allude to any kind of authority? Are such depictions credible? • Does the writer’s design allow for in-depth or only sketchy/superficial coverage of an issue?

The Conclusion (length of 1 paragraph should suffice) – Essay Recap & Take Away: End by briefly recapping your main points and discussing the overall persuasiveness of the argument. The following may be useful things to consider addressing:

• What features of the image (likely discussed in the body) contribute most to making it persuasive or not persuasive for its target audience and for you yourself? If you differ from the target audience, where does the argument derail for you?

• How might this essay be received by different audiences? • What gaps, contradictions, or unanswered questions are you left with? • What is particularly memorable, disturbing, or problematic about this essay? • How does this essay indicate that it is engaged in a public conversation? How does it contribute to

and enter into a larger dialogue about the issue?

Note: Your essay should be 3-4 pages, double-spaced in 12-point, Times New Roman or Cambria font. It should conform to proper MLA documentation.

Sample Rubric for Visual & Written Essay Analysis

Criterion Below Satisfactory Meets Exceeds Rhetorical Context

(10, 13, 17, 20)

Shows some misunderstanding of

topic, provides a confusing or

underdeveloped summary of the author’s main

point, does not address the larger context

surrounding the article.

Shows some understanding of the topic, provides a

somewhat clear summary of the author’s main point,

addresses at least one context area (publication,

date, author, broader conversation/debate.

Demonstrates solid understanding of the topic, provides a relatively clear summary of the author’s

main point, addresses some of the larger context

surrounding the article (publication, date, author,

broader conversation/debate).

Showcases thorough understanding of the topic,

clearly summarizes the author main point, and

considers the larger context surrounding the article

(publication date, author, broader

conversation/debate).

Analysis & Evaluation of

Argument (Logos)

(10, 13, 17, 20)

An underdeveloped analysis and evaluation of the claims and evidence

provided within the article. Fails to use specific examples to

support points. Does not attend to the logic behind the author’s assumptions

and conclusions.

Provides adequate analysis and evaluation of the claims

and evidence provided within the article.

Additional examples needed to support the

assessment. Some attempt to consider. the logic behind the author’s

assumptions and conclusions.

Solid analysis and evaluation of the article’s

claims and evidence provided. Uses specific

examples to support most points. Attends to the logic

behind the author’s assumptions and

conclusions.

Provides a detailed analysis and evaluation of the claims

and evidence provided within the article. Uses

specific examples to support all points. Attends

to the logic behind the author’s assumptions and

conclusions in a convincing manner.

Analysis & Evaluation of

Appeals to Audience (Pathos)

AND/OR

Analysis & Evaluation of

Writing (Ethos)

(10, 13, 17, 20)

Does not demonstrate the ability to analyze an author’s appeal to

audience.

Does not demonstrate the ability to analyze the

ways in which writing features impact

arguments.

Some attempt to consider the author’s appeal to

audience, additional or stronger examples needed

to support assessment.

Shows some ability to analyze and evaluate the ways in which writing

features (style, tone, length) can impact an argument.

A good attempt at considering the author’s appeals to the audience,

some convincing examples support assessment.

Solid analysis and evaluation of the ways in

which aspects of the writing (style, tone, length, site of

publication) impact the argument.

Analyzes and evaluates the ways in which the author appeals to the audience, providing detailed and

convincing examples for support.

Thoroughly analyzes and evaluates the ways in which

aspects of the writing (style, tone, length, site of

publication) impact the argument.

Essay Organization

(5, 7, 8, 10)

Does not follow the standard essay pattern

organization.

Some slips in the standard organizational essay

pattern.

Good organization in the standard essay pattern.

Well-crafted, progressing in the standard essay pattern.

Language Usage

(5, 7, 8, 10)

Lower-level writing. Overall, simple sentences

and basic wording. Problems with basic writing conventions.

Decent writing showcased here. Some variety with

wording but simple sentences prevail.

Good overall writing. Well worded with a solid amount

of sentence variation.

College-level writing. Excellent word variation

and complex sentence structure.

Mechanics

(0, 6, 8, 10)

Lack of effort with proofreading. Multiple

errors

Problems with proofreading. Some errors

present.

Pretty well proofread. A few oversights.

Well proofread. Very few oversights.

MLA

(5, 7, 8, 10)

Does not show mastery of MLA format. Multiple

errors and misuse.

Some problems with understanding MLA

format. Some errors and misuse.

Demonstrates basic mastery of MLA format. A few

errors and misuse.

Demonstrates high-level mastery of MLA format.

Very minor errors present.

Essay Score: _____/100