English 124

Evaluating an Argument

In Writing Project 2, we will practice the art of evaluating an argument. As consumers, citizens, and people in a society, we need to be able to decipher a strong argument from a weak one, so we are not swayed but rather well-informed. How do we do that? Let’s practice. . .

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

For this assignment, you will evaluate an argument; you will be evaluating the author’s argument. Is it well formed, supported, analyzed, why or why not?

Remember, you should agree or disagree with the author (his or her actual point); you are NOT commenting on the author’s opinion, but rather evaluating the strength of his/her argument.

You will need to restate his/her thesis/argument in your own words. Then you will explain how he or she did an effective or ineffective job at convincing the audience. Identify the argument and intended audience in your introduction. Write your thesis stating whether the presented argument is effective or not, and list the reasons why. Lastly, the body paragraphs should focus on the reasons listed in the thesis and provide evidence of the different strategies used and how effective or ineffective they were to building the author’s argument.

TASK

You are analyzing the way the author presented his or her argument to argue whether it is an effective or ineffective argument.

In order to analyze the argument, you will consider the author’s use of:

• Pathos
• Ethos
• Logos
• Assumptions
• Logical fallacies
• Tone
• Types/Strength of evidence
• Objectivity/Bias
• OR any other points you saw in your textbook

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Ask yourself, what makes for an effective argument? How and in what ways is the argument convincing?

• Purpose (What is the writer trying to accomplish with the essay?)
• Audience (To whom does the writer try to appeal? How does the writer try to connect with that audience?)

• Organization (How has the writer structured and presented the argument?)
• Nods to the Opposition (How does the writer anticipate and address arguments that might be made against his/her position?)

• Definition (How does the writer define key terms used in the argument?)
• Examples (What sort of examples/analogies does the writer use as evidence?)
• Appeals to Authority (How does the writer use other sources, experts, statistics, etc.?)
• Ethos (How does the writer present him/herself to the reader?)
• Logos (How does the writer appeal to the reader’s sense of logical reasoning?)
• Pathos (How does the writer appeal to the reader’s emotions, beliefs, and values?)
• Tone (What is the writer’s attitude towards the subject?)
• Diction and Imagery (What are the effects of the writer’s word choices?)

Note: Remember that the author can use one rhetorical strategy effectively while failing to use others effectively.

Directions

STEP 1 CHOOSE YOUR ARTICLE

“Bring down the Barriers–Seen and Unseen”Links to an external site. by Rachel Adams

“College for the Intellectually Disabled”Links to an external site. by Charlotte Allen

“Keeping the promise to All American’s Children”Links to an external site. by Arne Duncan

STEP 2 FOLLOW ESSAY STRUCTURE

You will need to:

1. Write the introduction: You will need to restate his/her thesis/argument in your own words. Then you will explain how he or she did an effective or ineffective job at convincing the audience. Identify the argument and intended audience in your introduction.

• At the end of the introduction paragraph, write your thesis statement stating whether the presented argument is effective or not, and list the reasons why in a preview of points for the body.

2. Essay Body: The body paragraphs should focus on the reasons listed in the thesis and provide evidence of the different strategies used and how effective or ineffective they were to building the author’s argument.

• Point out any instances where the author used one of the elements above by providing a quote from the text with MLA citation.
• Comment on whether or not the author did so well, and why? And whether the use of this strategy contributed to effectiveness of his or her argument.
• You do not have to address every element above, but you do have to evaluate a minimum of 5 strategies. Each of the five can be presented in its own separate paragraph or you may combine them as you see fit. Be aware that I do expect to see clear organization and academic essay structure.

REQUIREMENTS

• Length: 4-5 pages
• Introduction: including a hook, background information about the article, the author’s thesis/claim and his intended audience and your thesis/claim
• Up to 5 body paragraphs, each including examples from the text as well as your analysis of effectiveness in each body paragraph
• Conclusion

DUE DATES

• Rough Draft Due Week 3
• Final Draft Due Week 4

STEP 3 SUBMIT YOUR ROUGH DRAFT TO 2 PLACES

• Complete Writing Tasks: Complete your weekly Writing Tasks first then come back to write your first draft.
• Write your first draft: Following the guidelines above and write a 4 to 5 page draft.

Submit to 2 places in the classroom:

1. Submit your draft here
2. Post it on the Peer Review Board. If your draft is not there by Monday, you will not receive a partner.

Submitting Your Assignment

1. Please complete the assignment as a Word document.
2. Click the +Submit Assignment link located in the right-hand column of the course window.
3. Click the Choose File
4. Navigate to your document and select it.
5. Click the Submit Assignment