Purpose: To evaluate another text’s ability to use persuasive strategies to create a convincing argument. Your thesis should answer the following questions: Does this author have a persuasive argument? Why or why not?
Remember: You are NOT offering your own opinion on the issue. It does not matter if you agree or disagree with the author’s stance.
You will choose one of the readings from the Norton textbook to read and analyze:
Russell Mobley “Justice or Murder?”
Skills: The purpose of this assignment is to help you practice the following skills that are essential to this course, first year composition, and most importantly, writing and researching across the curriculum: critical reading, critical thinking, evaluation, synthesis, and analysis.
Knowledge: This assignment will help you become familiar with evaluating sources. A rhetorical analysis requires you to “break down” an argument into pieces, closely examining the writer’s rhetorical strategies.
Task List:
Read the assigned essay and take notes on its rhetorical situation, including the audience, purpose, author, medium of publication, and main argument.
Focus on the text’s stance (position on the topic) as well as its reasons and evidence. Observe the tone or attitude the author has toward the subject matter. Take notes on any strategies that establish author credibility, logical reasoning, and emotional outreach to the audience. Decide if the text is successful at reaching and convincing its intended reader.
Draft a working outline that structures the main content sections for the paper, specifically the working thesis. This outline is for your own reference and not required for a grade.
Draft content in paragraph form and apply MLA formatting; submit draft to receive peer feedback and drafting points. Get extra feedback via Learning Commons, Smarthinking Online Tutoring, or instructor office hours.
Make revisions and do final proofread.
Submit Final Draft to Canvas by due date.
Criteria for Success:
Purpose: analysis rather than summary; should have no personal response to text’s claims
Content: enough detail, supporting evidence, and critical thinking; reliance on paraphrase and direct quoting with correct citations
Professionalism: clean and correct MLA formatting; easy-to-read writing style with little to no errors or typos
Tips:
When you write an essay, each body paragraph can serve as an answer to a question. Here are some questions you might want to answer to formulate your analysis. Keep in mind, you cannot answer all these questions. Focus on 3 key devices or strategies the reading uses to establish credibility, provide logical reasoning, and connect with the audience.
Does the writer do a good job of getting readers interested in the issue? What specifically do they do to achieve this?
Does the writer effectively establish his or her own authority and credibility on this subject? (ethos)
How strong is the support provided? (logos and ethos)
Does the writer show a good awareness of who his or her audience is? (ethos and pathos)
Does the writer use emotions effectively? Be sure to specify what emotions the writer invokes in readers. (pathos)
Does the writer refute his or her opponents effectively? (logos)
Is the tone of the essay appropriate to the topic? (ethos and pathos)
Does the writer choose words effectively? (pathos, ethos, or logos depending on the point)
Is the essay organized in the best possible way? (logos)
Is the thesis clear enough? How does the author make their thesis clear? (logos)
Is the essay gracefully written? (logos, ethos, and pathos depending on the point)
Does the writer avoid logical fallacies? (logos)
Are examples used effectively to support opinions? (logos)
