Overview: The final project for this course is the creation of a critical analysis essay. Writing is a craft that people spend a lifetime refining, and one that allows people to express themselves in various ways. Effective writing has the ability to shape and inform the opinions of its readers. The ability to articulate a message through writing is essential in any career. The writing process can be very intimidating; however, the more you work with it, the more comfortable the process becomes. Something key to remember is that the writing process is never truly complete.
In this assignment, you will revise your first draft from the Milestone One assignment, First Draft of Critical Analysis Essay. Next, you will develop a thesis about the information presented in that reading and support that thesis through a critical analysis essay. There is no right or wrong thesis—it is how you support your thesis that makes your essay effective. To thoroughly revise the work, be sure to refer to your instructor’s feedback.
The project has one milestone, which will scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. This milestone will be submitted in Module Five. The final submission is due in Module Eight.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Discuss stylistically appropriate writing strategies for various audiences, subjects, and purposes
Identify main ideas, supporting evidence, and conclusions through critical analysis for utilizing these components in one’s own writing
Interpret the writing process as a means for generating ideas, drafting, and revising for improving the quality and effectiveness of one’s own writing
Integrate appropriate and qualified evidence into one’s own composition through effective research
Prompt: For this essay, you will analyze a reading and develop a thesis about the author’s goal in the article you selected. Once your thesis is established, you will use examples from the reading to support your thesis throughout your essay.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction
This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your essay will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all of your information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of the points you planned out, while also stating your thesis.
Provide an overview of the work you have analyzed, briefly describing main points and your thoughts about the writing.
Compose an engaging thesis that you will support throughout your essay. This statement will give direction to your essay and should be well thought out.
II. Body
The body is your opportunity to describe and support your thesis in depth. Make sure your thoughts and evidence are clear and organized in a way that is easy for readers to follow and understand.
Be sure to write multiple paragraphs that are focused, clearly state their intent, and move logically from one to the other, supporting the thesis as the essay progresses. These paragraphs also need to contain evidence from the selected reading.
Your body paragraphs should support your thesis by combining thoughts and ideas with evidence from the writing. There is no such thing as a right or wrong evaluation; the key is how your thesis is supported and the quality of the evidence used.
III. Conclusion
Think of the conclusion as a review of your analysis. Use this section to restate your thesis and remind readers of your supporting evidence. Think of this as your last chance to prove your point. You will also reflect upon your expeirneces with the writing process.
Review your analysis and summarize key supporting points that helped form your analysis. This section should consist of a review of your main points employed to support your thesis.
Describe how what you have learned about critical thinking, analysis, and revision can be applied to future writing activities in your academic or professional life.
Guidelines for Submission: Your analysis essay must be 3–4 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and must be written in MLA or APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Include at least three references from the selected reading cited in MLA or APA format. Check your writing for errors. Once you have proofread your document, submit it via the Summative Assessment Part Two: Critical Analysis
