Select an academic essay or article (peer reviewed from a reliable source) of your
choice. Ideally you should select a topic with some controversy (two or more clear
sides). You will be given the opportunity to go through the academic databases and
print during class time.
You can also use Google scholar (although there may be some access issues – look for
pdf links on the right hand side). This will not be a quick selection process. Your
article must be substantial (three pages long or more – 12 point font in word) AND
lend itself to the areas of assessment noted below.
It is VERY important that you select an article on a topic that actually
interests you. If you would like guidance or ideas, please ask.
In response to the article you will be assessed on the following:
1. Annotation
Print the article and show evidence of critical reading right on the text. Include
your thoughts, associations, questions, inferences, connections as well as
observations of diction, stylistic and argumentative devices present in the writing.
Use C.H.I.R.P.S and Logos, Pathos Ethos.
Annotation should clearly demonstrate depth of thought and interaction with the
ideas presented. You can use any format you like to annotate (hand written,
highlighted codes, digital notation) so long as it is clear and easy to follow.
2. Written Response
Attached to your annotated article write a response identifying and explaining:
a) the thesis of the article (in your own words)
b) identify and explain three key convincing ideas and/or methods of
development (Logos, Pathos, Ethos) with quotations/examples from the text –
please connect these to the thesis
c) the most effective use of a style or rhetorical device in the text (and why it
works) *please note that this can include analysis of diction (word choice) if
there is no observed rhetoric
d) criticism of at least one point in the article (this may require additional
research)
Commitment Page
Topic: _________________________________________________________________
Article Title: ____________________________________________________________
Author & Affiliations (Publisher):
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Year of Publication: ________________________________
Full MLA Reference Format:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Annotating & Written Response
Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Knowledge/
Understanding
• identification and
explanation of key
features (e.g., thesis,
rhetoric, devices,
methods of
development, Logos,
Pathos, Ethos)
/10
shows limited
understanding of
key features of the
work and essay
structure
shows some
understanding of
key features of the
work and essay
structure
shows considerable
understanding of
key features of the
work and essay
structure
shows thorough
understanding of
key features of the
work and essay
structure
Thinking/Inquiry
• analysis,
observations and
evidence of critical
thinking
few analyses are
logical and
insightful; limited
evidence of critical
thinking
some analyses are
logical and
insightful; some
evidence of critical
thinking
most analyses are
logical and
insightful; evidence
of critical thinking
all or almost all
analyses are logical
and insightful;
excellent depth of
thought/critical
thinking; original or
unconventional
thinking
/5
Communication
• clarity and depth of
annotations and
written response,
organization
/5
thoughts and
feelings are
communicated with
limited clarity and
organization
thoughts and
feelings are
communicated with
some clarity and
organization
thoughts and
feelings are
communicated with
considerable clarity
and organization
thoughts and
feelings are
communicated with
a high degree of
clarity and
organization
Application
• annotation and
connections,
personal reflection
/10
makes limited
connections with
other experiences
makes some
connections with
other experience
makes effective
connections with
other experience
makes highly
effective
connections with
other experience
/30
