English essay

 Write  an  essay  in  which  you  analyze  and  respond  to  an  argument.  Requirements:  1000-­‐ 1250  words,  typed,  double  spaced,  MLA  format  with  Works  Cited.   Purpose:    

Outside  Sources:  Along  with  your  own  ideas,  commentary,  and  examples  from  the  text,  support  your  analysis   with  at  least  two  outside  sources  from  reputable  web  sites,  editorials  or  news  articles  from  major  newspapers   (L.A.  Times,  New  York  Times,  Washington  Post)  or  periodicals  (Newsweek,  Time,  Atlantic  Monthly),  or   websites  (CNN,  MSNBC,  ABC,  CBS)  and  online  databases  (Lexis/Nexis,  Infotrac,  EbscoHost).  You  may  also  use   Garbology  or  other  texts  from  the  course  to  support  your  thesis  (although  these  would  not  count  as  one  of  the   two  outside  sources)     Rhetorical  features  to  discuss  in  your  essay  may  include:   What  is  the  writer’s  argument?  How  is  it  supported?   What  is  the  writer’s  intention  or  purpose?   The  context  &  exigence  of  the  argument:  as  we  learned  in  They  Say/I  Say,  arguments  don’t  occur  in  a  vacuum,   but  are  usually  in  response  to  some  previously  expressed  opinion,  idea,  or  problem.  What  or  who  is  the  writer   responding  to?  What  is  the  problem  that  calls  out  for  an  argument?  

  The  writer’s  persona:  how  does  the  writer’s  ethos  contribute  to  or  detract  from  the  argument?  Who  is  the  writer  and   why  should  we  believe  him  or  her?  How  does  tone  or  word  choice  affect  your  response  to  the  argument?   Use  of  Appeals:  how  has  the  writer  used  appeals  (ethos,  logos,  pathos)  to  effectively  persuade  this  audience?   Quality  of  evidence  –  use  of  evidence:  facts,  statistics,  outside  sources  or  authorities,  as  well  as  the  credibility  of  that   evidence  (this  is  where  outside  sources  will  help  –  do  others  agree  or  disagree  with  this  writer?)   Use  of  figurative  language  to  move  the  reader  (similes,  metaphors,  sensory  imagery).   Handling  of  opposing  views  –  does  the  author  address  those  who  disagree  with  him  or  her?    

• ! Paragraph  1:  Introduce  the  author  and  the  essay;  state  the  author’s  main  idea  in  your  own  words  and   introduce  your  connection  to  the  essay.  What  is  your  point  of  view  about  the  essay?  

• ! Paragraph  2:  Summarize  the  essay  briefly.  Provide  the  important  ideas  in  the  text  and  give  your   reader  a  clear  idea  of  what  the  text  is  about,  keeping  in  mind  your  point  of  view  and  connection   to  it    

• rhetoric.  In  other  words,  HOW  does  the  writer  convince   you?  Consider  the  rhetorical  concepts  listed  above  as  you  consider  the  CHOICES  the  writer  has  made  in  order  to   present  his  or  her  argument  in  a  convincing  manner.  You  don’t  have  to  consider  all  of  these,  but  do  choose   those  that  are  most  relevant  to  this  text.  Use  the  required  outside  sources  as  necessary  to  support  your  analysis.  

• • • ! Paragraphs  6-­‐8  or  more:  Respond  to  the  essay.  What  do  you  think  about  this  idea?  What  is  your  point  of  

view  of  the  topic  or  the  writer’s  position  on  it?  You  may  wish  to  argue  with  the  writer;  you  may  choose  to   discuss  a  connection  you  have  with  this  idea,  an  experience  you  have  had,  or  discuss  other  articles,  videos,  films,   or  books  you  have  encountered  on  the  subject.  However,  don’t  lose  sight  of  the  original  essay.  Remember  that   your  purpose  for  writing  is  to  analyze  and  respond  to  a  particular  text.  Use  your  outside  sources  as  needed  to   support  your  point.  

• ! Provide  a  clear  concluding  paragraph  that  restates  your  main  idea  and  provides  your  final  judgment  on  the   value  or  persuasiveness  of  the  text  you’ve  chosen.  

• ! Include  a  Works  Cited  that  includes  all  texts,  including  videos,  films,  or  other  texts  that  you  have   referenced.  

• ! Include  a  copy  of  the  original  text,  thoroughly  annotated   Successful  Essays  will  make  a  clear  point  about  the  published  author’s  use  of  rhetoric;  will  provide  a  brief   summary  of  the  text;  will  provide  plentiful  development  for  the  student  writer’s  point  of  view;  will  come  to  a   clear  conclusion  about  the  text;  be  carefully  organized,  revised,  and  proofread;  will  include  a  Works  Cited  and   observe  conventions  of  MLA  format  throughout.