A-plus writer

Writing Task: 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:

·  To examine the rhetorical strategies of an author of one of the short texts assigned in the first 4 weeks of the semester;

·  To evaluate how the writer convinces you, the reader, about his or her point of view (or not!).

·  To support that analysis with convincing examples from the text and appropriate outside

sources

·  To respond to that writer’s idea with your point of view on the topic.

·  To demonstrate your understanding of essay structure

·  To learn to conduct research and correctly use MLA citation

· 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?

Procedure:

·

·  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 (see They Say/I Say, Chap. 2)

·  Paragraphs 3-5: Analyze the essay’s 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.