Writing Assignment : Rhetorical Analysis
Purpose: The student writer’s purpose is to demonstrate the ability to read, understand, summarize, and analyze an article, using the conventions of composition and of standard English. The student writer will demonstrate the ability to incorporate source material into his or her own writing and use proper documentation.
Description: Write a summary and rhetorical analysis/critique of ONE of the following argumentative articles:
official english gingrich.docx
Premack – GenZs Never Watch TV Are Stressed about Snapchat.docx
Twenge – Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation.docx
SOME ADVICE AND HELP FOR ORGANIZATION
An idea for organization (for more help with organization, see readings and ppt in course materials folder for Rhetorical Analysis)
I. The first paragraph of the paper should be a summary of th earticle.
-For guidance,review the readings for summary.
-Include the main ideas; leave out most details; don’t insert your own opinion.
II. The next several paragraphs should analyze the article.
Begin with an introduction, summarizing your assessment of the article and including your analytical/evaluative thesis statement (see example in Rhet Analysis ppt.) Then use the guidelines in the readings to explain the main argument of the article, the type of appeals used (logos, pathos, ethos), whether the author is credible, and the probable audience. b. Useevidencefromthetexttosuppor
-Does the author use any logical fallacies? How doest his affect the overall argument’s effectiveness?
-Is the evidence used by the author appropriate?
-Is the argument effective? How do you know?
-What seems to be the purpose of thearticle?
-Is the article written in response to an ongoing
discussion?
-Is the purpose appropriate for the audience?
-What is the author’s point of view?
-Does the author consider and respond to other points of
view?
-What contribution does the article make?
-etc.
III. In the conclusion, don’t merely repeat the introduction. Consider using some of the following ideas in the conclusion: Explain the implications of the article. In other words, who or what might be affected by what the article advocates? What conclusions can be drawn from the article? Does the article settle the matter, or is there still room for discussion? Should the reader do something? Explain whether you believe the article is important to those who are interested in the subject and why.
Source usage: The only source used for Essay Three should be the article you are working with. Each time you refer to a specific part of the article or quote from it, cite the source following MLA style. Incorporate the source material into your own writing smoothly, taking care that the entire sentence is coherent and is punctuated correctly. Before quoting the source, explain the context for the reader. Then provide the quotation, incorporating the most relevant portion of the source into your own sentence. Finally, comment on the quotation so that the reader understands why it was important for you to use that information.
Documentation format: Use MLA style. See the textbook or Purdue’s OWL MLA help with in-text citation and Works Cited. The last page of the document should be a Work Cited page listing the article in MLA style.
Grading Rubric:
Appropriate article: Use the assigned article [or one of the specified articles]
Summary: The summary should express, in your own words, the main ideas of the article. It should not contain details to support the main ideas.
Rhetorical analysis: The rhetorical analysis should identify the audience, credibility of the author, appeals, use of language, and presumed purpose of the article.
Quality of writing: Sentences should be clear and concise, using language appropriate to the assignment. One idea should flow logically into the next. Claims should be supported with evidence, whether from a source or your own fine reasoning.
Grammar, punctuation: Use standard grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Do not use comma splices, run-on sentences, or sentence fragments.
Understanding Fragments and Runons WR.ppt
MLA style, format: Use the 12 point Times New Roman font and double-spacing. Use parenthetical documentation like this (Smith 17). The last page of the document should be a Works Cited page that lists the source in MLA style, using double spacing and the hanging indent. See the textbook or the online Purdue OWL for more information.
