Critical Analysis Unit 2 Essay

Tjerrild Unit II Essay Prompt English 1A

Unit II: Critical Analysis Essay

Due: Thursday, April 28th

Purpose:

A Critical Analysis Essay asks the writer to make an argument about a particular book, essay, podcast, TedTalk, etc. The goal is two-fold: one, identify and analyze the argument that the author is making, and two, evaluate the effectiveness of that argument. You are not writing a “book report” that summarizes the author’s argument but evaluating the effectiveness of the author’s rhetorical strategy and techniques.

Audience:

Assume that your audience is educated and familiar with the source’s topic but has not read the article or watched the TedTalk themselves.

You should approach your analysis and evaluation of your chosen text using a framework of rhetorical appeals and/or the rhetorical situation. Below are some of the questions you’ll want to address. Remember that you are writing a cohesive, thesis-driven essay, not a list of answers to these questions.

Rhetorical Questions:

· What overall purpose(s) does the text serve? Is its intent to answer a question, pose a problem, add to research on a given topic, introduce a new idea, argue a point, etc.?

· Where did this text originally appear? What, from the context in which it appeared or the text itself, can you tell about its audience? For example, are they experts in the topic or novices? Do you feel you are part of the intended audience?

· What types of evidence are used? What does this suggest about the author's assumptions regarding the audience? What does the choice of evidence tell you about what is valued in this context? Does the author’s evidence support their argument? Does the author underemphasize or ignore evidence that is contrary to their argument? Is the evidence credible? Can you identify a bias in the evidence?

· What strategies does the writer use? Examples of strategies include use of rhetorical appeals (e.g., ethos, logos, and pathos), including inductive/deductive reasoning, narration, analysis, application of theory.

· What is the style of the piece? List examples of techniques (e.g., figurative language, repetition, complex sentences, etc.) and specialized vocabulary.

· Does the author’s background have implications for their argument? Do the author’s specific language choices betray a certain bias or frame the argument in a certain way? How do these choices affect the author’s ethos?

Introduction:

· Begin your introductory paragraph with an attention-grabbing, thought-provoking sentence. Consider the topic of your analysis carefully and launch into your paper with a specific, well-crafted sentence.

· Context: Next, situate your analysis with this introductory paragraph. What information does your reader need to know? This includes:

· introducing the author and the essay title (using appropriate punctuation)

· summarizing (3-5 sentences) the essay’s main argument and giving any relevant supporting evidence.

· This brief summary should lead into your THESIS, the clear and specific claim you will be asserting and proving in analysis to the source essay. A good thesis will be focused and will include an essay map that lays out the trajectory of your analysis and evaluation. (i.e. the 2-3 distinct points must be proven in order to persuade your readers that your thesis is correct).

· Your thesis should:

· Mention the specific text you are analyzing by name

· Identify the central claim of the text

· Identify the devices, appeals, strategies, etc. that contribute to the source’s effectiveness (or lack thereof)

· Include an evaluation of the text’s rhetorical success

Body:

· Use the essay map of your thesis to structure the body of your response. Consider each of the aspects of your essay map in a separate section of your response. These sections may include one or more paragraphs. Make sure each paragraph supports the idea you are making in that section of the response and that each section clearly relates to your main claim (thesis).

· Each well-developed paragraph should:

· focus on one device or strategy

· begin with a relevant and specific topic sentence

· engage specifically with quotes and details from the essay

· connect back to one element of your essay map

· Unlike in the Critical Response Essay, your goal in this essay is not to express agreement or disagreement with the author’s point. Instead, your goal is to express how and how successfully the author makes his or her points. Avoid language like “I agree” or “I disagree.” Instead, opt for language like “X argues convincingly” or “this device is unsuccessful.”

Outside Sources:

· You MUST engage with a minimum of two outside sources (besides the text to which you are primarily responding). These outside sources may be used to provide context for the conversation in which your primary text is participating; to lend credibility and support to your own position; to demonstrate how widespread the position expressed in the primary text is; and/or to point out a weakness/omission in the primary text.

· These sources should be appropriately embedded in your essay using introductory and transitional phrases. Your reader should never be confused about who is speaking—you or the author of the primary text.

· Sources should be cited according to MLA guidelines, both in the body of the essay and in your Works Cited page.

Conclusion:

· Readdress your thesis, but do so organically and using different words. Don’t merely repeat what you’ve said before.

· Reflect: Conclusions should answer the question “So what?” for your readers. What is the significance of your essay? Make it clear why your contribution to the conversation matters.

· Step back at the end of your essay and help your reader see how your contribution fits into the larger context of the issue.

Technicalities:

· Length: 1200-1500 words total. Going over is fine (within reason), but please meet the minimum. Include a word count at the bottom of your last page.

· Format: Double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, last name and page number in the top right corner of each page (use the “Page Number” function in Word)

· Heading (not header): single-spaced in the top left corner ON THE FIRST PAGE ONLY. Please include your name, the course, your instructor’s name, and the date.

· Title: centered and un-bolded on the first page. Make it interesting and informative.

· Please use proper MLA formatting for all source essay quotations and please include a Works Cited page at the end (not included in your word count).

Turning in your essay:

· Your Critical Analysis Essay is due Thursday, April 28th by 11:59 PM.

· Your Critical Analysis Essay should be submitted via Canvas as a Word Document or PDF. Other file types will NOT be accepted.