This assignment asks you to read two essays critically, briefly summarize the main points, and respond to those main points or ideas.
In the professional world you will be called upon to make choices. In order to make an informed choice, you must critically analyze your options. However, there can be an overwhelming amount of information about any product and any subject. You need the skills to quickly establish which information or source will help you make a profitable decision. These skills can be learned by analyzing and comparing text.
Assignment: As established in the discussion board example, choose one specific source and read a second article on that exact topic. These can be opinion articles. You may not choose pro/con articles. Each article must be a minimum of 500 words. Summarize the authors’ main ideas, and respond using personal and textual evidence regarding:
- the rhetorical strategy, ethos, pathos, and logos. Describe how it is used, and how it affects the article and/or audience
- the effectiveness of the text in regard to tone, organization, and/or the validity of the evidence
- reflect on the author’s purpose.
Strategies for Writing:
Part of your essay will rely on compare and contrast to support your interpretation. You want to show the audience how each author has used language, evidence, and structure to fulfil their purpose. You will also want to use explanatory and informative styles to help the audience understand your observations. You may also want to discuss how each author uses features of word choice or clarity to achieve their purpose.
Read critically. Annotate the articles. You are going to want to find the main ideas as well as the supporting details. Take notes as you write and try to explain the notes you have written. You might want to pretend you are explaining the notes to a person who has never read the articles.
Consider your purpose: presenting an analysis/review suitable to the expectations of an academic audience: clarity, objectivity, accuracy, and support through personal and textual evidence.
Focus on the rhetorical strategy. You have the option to choose a rhetorical strategy. Bias is not the required choice. Ethos, pathos, and logos is not required. However, if you deviate from ethos, pathos, and logos, I remind you to focus on a single rhetorical strategy.
Develop your critical analysis with a thesis appropriate to the context of your writing. Use quotes, paraphrases, and personal evidence as support.
Organize a cohesive essay using transitions to guide the reader.
Format:
- Your essay will be typed, double-spaced, in Arial 12 point font.
- You must have no less than 1000 words
- You will include three sources. Two of those sources will be the articles under review. You will need to find at least one additional source that discusses techniques for writing. I suggest you look for an article that discusses the rhetorical strategy. (Do not find an article to support any argument in the topic)
