Summary and critique essay

Essay 3: Summary and Critique Rhetorical Response

* Modified from “Summary and Response Essay” (https://apps.spokane.edu/InternetContent/AutoWebs/lorim/2014/English%2099/Summary%20Response%20Essay%20Assignment.pdf)

Essay 3: Summary and Critique Essay

Throughout your academic career, you will be asked to read something and respond to it. This essay prepares you for reading a text critically and responding to it.

You will use “The Yellow Wallpaper” and insight gained from discussions, along with summary, modifying your writing for the purposes of this assignment. In a 2 - 3 page essay, summarize the text and respond to it with a thoughtful critique of two appeals. Which one is the most convincing? Which is the least convincing?

Your summary should include:  The title of the text and the full name of the author (the first time you mention the text)

 The story in brief form, without personal opinions or judgments  The story’s main points and direct quotations that are relevant to the points

 The use of signal phrases (“The author writes…” or “She explains that…”) to indicate the ideas are the

author’s (not yours)

 Effective use of transitions to indicate a flow of ideas

Your critical response/critique should include:  An organized approach (a thesis, supporting points, and evidence to support those points)  An analysis and critique of the text and its effectiveness as it relates to two Rhetorical Appeals

 Appropriate use of paraphrasing and quotations  Appropriate transitions between summary and response to indicate the movement of ideas

 At least 600 words  Clear wording that indicates awareness of distinction between the author, characters, and your voice

(review “Conflating Text”)

Your summary and response should be integrated so that you summarize the text while also providing your

opinions of how the story addresses the appeals.

Your essay should have a Works Cited list that contains the story and any other material used. If you quote

or paraphrase other sources, the information should be cited. AVOID using sources such as Spark Notes, Cliff Notes, Book Rags, and the like.

Organizing Your Essay*

INTRODUCTION  Introduce the topic with a hook – a question, quote, a story, a statement, (some interesting way to

open up the conversation about the topic of the article.  Provide a brief summary.

 State your thesis BODY You will probably want to consider one of two ways to organize the body of your essay: block or point pattern.

CONCLUSION

 Reaffirm your thesis.  Comment on the importance of the topic, returning to the opening strategy (your question, quote,

statement of problem, whatever).

Essay 3: Summary and Critique Rhetorical Response

* Modified from “Summary and Response Essay” (https://apps.spokane.edu/InternetContent/AutoWebs/lorim/2014/English%2099/Summary%20Response%20Essay%20Assignment.pdf)

WORKS CITED LIST – Include a citation for any material used. Use your own thoughts and opinions.

Outline 1: Block Pattern* Outline 2: Point Pattern* I. Introduction (1 paragraph)

II. Summary: (1 paragraph) Remember you are only summarizing (you may have fewer or more than

these 4 points) A. Main Point 1

B. Main Point 2 C. Main Point 3 D. Main Point 4

III. Response Section (3-5 paragraphs)

A. Respond to Main Point 1 by stating whether you agree or disagree and offer

explanation and proof to defend your point of view.

B. Respond to Main Point 2 in same manner, providing a good transition (agree/disagree) C. Respond to Main Point 3 in same manner

(agree/disagreed) D. Respond to Main Point 4 in same manner

(agree/disagreed)

IV. Conclusion

I. Introduction

II. Main point 1 A. Summarize Point 1

B. Respond to Point 1 (agree/disagree) Support your statement with explanation

III. Main Point 2 A. Summarize Point 2

B. Respond to Point 2 (agree/disagree) Support your statement with explanation

IV. Main Point 3

A. Summarize Point 3 B. Respond to Point 3 (agree/disagree)

Support your statement with explanation V. Main Point 4

A. Summarize Point 4 B. Respond to Point 4 (agree/disagree)

Support your statement with explanation

VI. Conclusion

Grading

Your essay will be graded using the following criteria:

Thesis – The thesis Integrates the author’s overall work with your overall response. 20 points

Summary – The essay accurately and objectively represents the author’s work and key supporting points. The summary does not merely list the main ideas but shows how the reasons support the claim. The summary is

selective about details and examples, choosing only ones that help to illustrate a key point. Author’s ideas are

effectively attributed using signal phrases. 20 points

Response – Your evaluation of the article is supported with reasons and textual evidence. The response examines the rhetorical choices made by the author and how effective they were. The essay uses quotations and paraphrasing that are appropriately integrated. 30 points

Paraphrasing and Signal Phrases –The essay uses paraphrasing that is appropriately integrated into the summary

and response. Author’s ideas are effectively attributed using signal phrases. 20 points Organization - Paper clearly and effectively integrates both the summary and response. Transitions and paragraphing

are used when appropriate. 10 points

Syntax and Diction – The essay incorporates appropriate and varied sentence structure and uses precise and appropriate words. 20 points

Essay 3: Summary and Critique Rhetorical Response

* Modified from “Summary and Response Essay” (https://apps.spokane.edu/InternetContent/AutoWebs/lorim/2014/English%2099/Summary%20Response%20Essay%20Assignment.pdf)

Mechanics - Demonstrates a command of the standards of edited American English with no major grammatical errors. 20 points

MLA Format - Employs MLA format and documentation style, using in-text citations and including works cited page.

Includes correct heading, font size, and spacing. 10 points