Introduction–In this project, you’ll be applying all that you’ve learned to analyze an article and to create new knowledge
Task–Complete each of the 4 Parts listed below using this article as your starting point:
Part 1: Set-up
Write a short summary of the article and then analyze elements of its rhetorical context.
Follow these questions to help do this:
Who is the author? Do a bit of background research on the author and share key features of his experiences, affiliations, other publications, etc…
What is the purpose of the article? Explain why the author took the time to write this and what he stands to gain.
Who is the author’s target audience? Analyze elements of the article like language choices, place of publication, examples used by the author to theorize the ideal reader that the author imagined while composing the article.
Part 2: Truths, Rhetoric, and Sophistry
What are the truth claims made by the author?
Examine them for validity and reliability
What are the self-serving elements of this source and how do they relate to other truth claims made by the author?
What is glossed over, omitted, distorted?
Analyze the author’s language choices AND the effects these choices have on readers. To do this, consider 3 main ways that language can effect a reader:
Through emotion–Some writing choices can effect a reader’s emotions (happy, sad, shocked, pity, amazement, anger, comfort)
Through a sense of logic and ‘common sense’–Some writing choices can effect a reader’s sense of logic (data, statistics, logical chains of connection)
Through claims of credibility and ethical treatment–Some writing choices can effect a reader’s judgements of an author’s credibility (trust, ethics or message/author’s identity)
Part 3: Do your own Research and Offer a Response
Add to the story of Military-related PTSD that this author wants to tell by doing a bit of your own research into some aspect of the topic that was not included and/or was glossed over by their original article. Find at least 1 credible source, that helps you tell a new story about this topic.
Following this, offer your own take on your overall critical interpretation and assessment of this article.
Part 4: Cite your Sources!
Any research that you do for the previous 3 parts should be carefully documented and using MLA style (In-text citations and a Works Cited page)
Criteria for Success
Your final product can look like a traditional essay, a media presentation, a website, or a digital poster
Each part must show depth of thought, effort, and adequate time invested
MLA format for all citations
