Analyze and evaluate an author’s argument, claim, project, and assumptions, as well as the rhetorical strategies used to construct the text. Explain how those strategies contribute to the author’s appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos. Evaluate the extent to which those appeals persuade the intended audience and consider how those strategies are based on key assumptions the author makes about that audience.
Here is a breakdown of your task for this Project:
First, you will pick one article to analyze for Project 1. Your homework assignment during Week 5 will help you with this.
Describe the author’s project and argument, and 2 of his/her most important or interesting claims.
Analyze and evaluate the author’s use of evidence and reasoning to support his argument and the 2 claims.
Identification and analyze of at least 2 strategies, discussing how and why the author uses each strategy.
Analyze how the author appeals to his/her audience’s emotions, establishes credibility, and deals with opposing views.
You will also need to identify any assumptions associated with the arguments, claims, or strategies.
Use an effective structure that carefully guides the reader from one idea to the next and be thoroughly edited so that sentences are readable and appropriate for an academic audience.
Introduction (15 points)
Essay has appropriate title and introduces author’s background, genre, context, and author’s argument. Includes a thesis statement demonstrating essay’s structure.
Body Paragraphs (50 points)
Clearly presents supporting claims. Includes and analyzes specific and relevant textual evidence (quotes) throughout each body paragraph. Identifies and analyzes strategies. Identifies and discusses audience context and explains how it impacts author’s presentation of his/her argument and claims. Identifies and discusses assumptions the author makes about his/her argument, claims, strategies, or audience.
Conclusion (15 points)
Briefly recounts the author’s use of rhetoric and its significance without being redundant. Evaluates the author’s argument, claims, evidence, and strategies.
Structure and Mechanics (20 points)
Clear and effective structure with effective transitions. Evidence of revision and editing.
