Need this by tomorrow 6/15/2021

Article Evaluation Essay

Purpose: Write an essay that evaluates a persuasive article

Audience: Someone interested in persuasive writing but hasn’t necessarily read the article you’re evaluating

Detailed Instructions:

Your essay should consist of 2 ½ - 3 typed, double-spaced pages (not counting Works Cited page).

Title

· Catch the reader’s attention with a creative, relevant phrase.

· Avoid creating a boring or too-general title (for instance, “Educational Standards”) or using the article title as your title.

Introduction paragraph (no more than 10 lines)

· Begin with an attention-getting “hook” (not a question).

· Identify the article’s author, title, intended audience, and purpose/main idea. (Remember, the first time you mention someone, use his or her full name; after that, use last name only.)

· In one or two sentences, state your thesis, or the main idea of your essay. Your thesis statement might list the supporting ideas you will discuss in your body paragraphs. If it does, list these ideas in the same order your body paragraphs will discuss them.

Multiple body paragraphs that support your thesis statement

· Evaluate different elements of the article (for instance, emotional appeals, credibility appeals, tone, writing style, particular points, humor, etc.).

· Each of your paragraphs should be unified (in other words, focus on supporting a main idea). Using topic sentences can strengthen unity.

· To strengthen your evaluation, use examples (quotes or paraphrases) from the article as evidence. Explain why each example supports your thesis.

· For depth, be very specific. We will continue to practice doing this. Remember, you have valid opinions.

Conclusion paragraph (no more than 8 lines)

· Provide closure for your discussion.

· Avoid simply restating the article’s ideas or your thesis statement.

Don’t do research for this essay, but document the article using MLA style

· It’s okay if you need to look up general information to understand an idea. Don’t do other research, and avoid quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing from general information sources.

· The article author’s name serves as your in-text citation.

· Include a Works Cited page that includes an entry for the article.

· At the bottom of each article, I provided all of the information you need to create your Works Cited entry.

· If you are writing about an editorial from an online newspaper site, follow the guidelines in the Little Seagull Handbook for #13 on page 142, “Editorial.” Follow the second example that’s headed “Online.”

· If you are writing about a blog post (Tim Urban’s piece), follow #32 on page 151, “Blog Entry.”

More tips and reminders

· Essays that contain evidence of plagiarism or collusion will earn a “0” without the possibility of rewriting as stated in the syllabus.

· Study the sample essays provided and compare them to this instruction sheet. Don’t copy ideas or wording from the sample essay, though.

· Use the detailed instructions above as a checklist.

· You may use “I” in this essay.

· Don’t pad your essay with “filler.” Only relevant content helps your grade.

· I will grade this essay with an adapted version of the general grading rubric. This rubric will be available to you on eCampus before you turn in your final version.

· Format your essay in MLA style. See the sample essay in MLA style in the Little Seagull Handbook (pg. 161), and there’s another sample in Week Six of the Groundwork Unit.

· Essays that don’t generally follow the assignment will earn an automatic “0” without the possibility of rewriting.

· Study the sample essay provided and compare it to the instructions above.

· Don’t get overwhelmed. Remember the three M’s:

1. Make sure you understand the assignment.

2. Manage your time wisely.

3. Meet all the assignment requirements.