Analysis of a Written Argument

Full Sail University

ENC1102—English Composition II

Assignment Directions: Analysis of a Written Argument

First, read Chapter 1, “Understanding Argument,” on page 3 of your ebook. (The page numbers can be confusing, so make sure to read the chapter titled “Understanding Argument.”) Also read Chapter 2, “Reading an Argument,” in your ebook. (Again, make sure to check the title of the chapter since the numbers can be confusing.)

Next, you must find an argument to read. The article must have an author—do not use one in which no author is named. You will be using this argument for your next two assignments, as well. In one assignment, you will be writing your own argument that refutes the one you find to read. This means that you must disagree with the argument the author presents—the author’s stance on the argument. You might agree with a few points the author makes, but you must disagree with at least one point so that you can write an argument that states your position.

The argument you choose must refer to a timely event—something that is in the news now. It is not necessary to write about a global or national issue. You do not have to write about politics. It can be something that is going on in your community, or something that is controversial in your industry. Do not write about the abortion debate or the gay marriage debate. Try to find something specific to your community or the industry in which you would like to work or do work in presently.

The article should be available online so that your classmates and instructor can read it. These websites can be a good start for finding arguments to write about:

http://www.addictinginfo.org/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/index.html

http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-opinion-commentary.html

http://cnn.com/OPINION/

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html

You could also use a search engine to find article about industry issues, or find opinion on the editorial page of most newspapers. Feel free to use your own local newspaper as a source. You could react to an article on the opinion/editorial page about a local issue.

Argument, not news story

The article that you choose must state an opinion and present an argument. It should not be a simple news story. If you find something you agree with that is refuting someone else’s argument, go to that original argument and use it.

Read the argument you have selected carefully. Then download the “Argument Analysis Worksheet,” complete it, and upload it to complete this assignment.