THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL STAND IN FOR OUR MISSED READING REFLECTION + A LITTLE BIT OF IN-CLASS TIME!*
Objective: This assignment aims to help you critically evaluate and improve the introduction of your Rhetorical Analysis Essay by exploring different strategies for beginning an essay. You’ll analyze your existing introduction, create new versions using different strategies, and reflect on how each version impacts the reader and the direction of your essay. Keep this exercise in mind as you work on future essay introductions!
NOTE: If you’ve already written the intro for your Summary/Response Essay, you can use that instead!
Instructions:
Part 1: Assessing Your Current Introduction
Review Your Introduction: Carefully read the introduction you wrote for your Rhetorical Analysis Essay.
Identify the Strategy: Using the “How to Begin an Essay” document provided, determine which category or categories your current introduction fits into. Consider whether it uses an anecdote, a question, a quote, background information, a bold statement, or another strategy. (It can fall into more than one category!)
Write a Brief Assessment: In a paragraph, explain why you think your introduction fits into the identified category or categories. Discuss the effectiveness of this strategy in engaging the reader and setting the stage for your essay.
Part 2: Creating New Introductions
Select Two New Strategies: Choose two different strategies from the “How to Begin an Essay” document that you have not used in your original introduction.
Write Two New Introductions: Write two new versions of your essay’s introduction, each using one of the selected strategies. Ensure that each version introduces the same essay topic but uses a different approach to hook the reader and set up your argument.
Part 3: Analyzing the Differences
Compare and Contrast: Write a comparison of the three introductions (the original and the two new versions). Discuss how each introduction:
Hooks the reader differently.
Sets up the essay’s argument and context in distinct ways.
Leads the reader into a slightly different perspective or angle on the same topic.
Reflect on the Impact: Reflect on how changing the introduction strategy could affect the overall tone, focus, and effectiveness of your essay. Consider which introduction you find most compelling and why.
Submission Requirements:
Submit the original introduction with your assessment paragraph.
Submit the two new introductions, clearly labeled with the strategy used.
Submit your comparative analysis and reflection, written in essay form (approximately 2 double-spaced pages).
Example Structure:
Part 1: Assessment of Original Introduction
Original Introduction
Assessment Paragraph
Part 2: New Introductions
New Introduction 1 (Strategy: [e.g., Anecdote])
New Introduction 2 (Strategy: [e.g., Bold Statement])
Part 3: Analysis and Reflection
Comparative Analysis and Reflection Essay
