Ideally, you should choose two texts that offer two different views on your topic. Remember, they need to be making an argument about the topic. A successful essay will: 1. Bring readers into the context of the reading. In what larger conversation is the author participating? What ethical problems or questions appear in this text? Why are they important? What is at stake? Introduce the text to the reader, briefly summarize its main idea, and make a claim (thesis) for each author’s rhetorical strategies. A strong claim is both contestable – reasonable people might disagree – and predictive – it will set up expectations for your reader. 2. Develop your main points around specific rhetorical strategies. Consider how the author constructs the argument, not whether or not you agree. Analysis relies on objective judgments. Remember also that rhetoric encompasses any tools available for persuasion. For example, would it be useful to talk about the argument in terms of ethos, logos, and/or pathos? Or on purpose, audience, and/or genre? 3. Support your main points with concrete examples (evidence) from the text. To develop and support your own points, you will need to include specific examples in the form of paraphrase or short direct quotations.
