english

Kinkade/ Eng 115

Paper 1 / Construct Account of Argument (3-4 pages/MLA format)

What is: Construct an Account? To construct an account of an argument, one must first understand what the argument is saying. A rhetorical précis supports the basic rhetorical breakdown of argument by connecting to rhetorical terms (main claim, order of ideas, purpose and connection to audience (ethos appeal). An author must establish credibility first by establishing a common ground to build trust.

Our reading and focus: In “Language of Mass Deception,” Noam Chomsky is interviewed by David Barsamian. Take a look at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noam_Chomsky, Chomsky is a highly influential political commentator. In this Chomsky clearly articulates the nature of propaganda, ie. Government rhetoric used to influence a political agenda. He provides insight into strategies used and how this influences US citizens, who are “more susceptible to fear.”

Your writing task: For this essay, construct an account Chomsky’s argument – his main claim with propaganda, main reasons for this and how establishes credibility (analyze ethos).

Criteria for Evaluation

Successful papers will: • Signal the topic and show how the paper will proceed; • Describe for a reader unfamiliar with Chomsky’s interview, showing how credibility is

established and what his central claim is; • Select relevant passages to explain use of propaganda and how/why government uses it –

consider the intended audience -- consider how the article get readers to think about Chomsky’s argument -- represent both problem and solution;

• Create an effective structure that carefully guides a reader from one idea to the next • Craft a conclusion that shows the significance of these readings and this writing project

Learning Outcomes

• Construct an account of argument • Consider common concerns about propaganda • Describe elements of arguments—claims, reasons, call-to-action • Assess the rhetorical work in specific passages of arguments • Choose effective structures, acknowledging that different purposes and audiences call for

different structures