For this assignment, write a 1000-word essay that
persuasively analyzes and evaluates a scholarly article or non-scholarly
source of at least 1,250 words from Assignment Two (References Page &
In-text Citations). Your goal is to persuade your reader that the article
writer’s argument (claim with reasons and evidence) is strong and convincing by
your thoughtful analysis.
Essay Content. You must address all the following:
1. Introduction
(“hook”): Write 1 – 3 sentences that grab your reader’s interest.
2. What
is “article writer’s” position (claim/thesis)? What does the writer want
the audience to believe? Explain in your own words.
3. What
is “article writer’s” purpose?
Usually the writer will do only one of the following. Explain your
decision.
a. Does the article writer want to soften
the reader’s objections?
b. Does the article writer want to convince
the reader that the argument has merit?
4. Who
is “article writer’s” audience?
What group of readers is writer addressing? Why? Give examples.
5.
What is your thesis? This is a
clear statement of your position on how well you think the article writer
achieved his or her goals in the article. Start your thesis with the following
phrase: “In this essay …”
6. What
types of appeals does the article writer use?
a. Are there appeals to logos, ethos,
and pathos? Why? How many?
b. Describe the ethos (character or
bias) of the article writer? How does the writer present himself or herself to
the reader? Give three short examples from the source—using a short
quotation, paraphrase, or summary–to support your description of ethos. Explain
your examples.
c. Describe the pathos (appeals to reader’s
emotions). How is language used for emotional appeal? Give three short
examples from the source. Explain your examples.
7. What
is the type and quality of the supporting details (reasons and evidence)?
a. This section will be the bulk of your
essay.
b. Appeals to reason include facts, statistics,
examples, and expert testimony. Evidence
is ranked from strongest to weakest as follows: (1) facts, (2) statistics, (3)
examples, (4) expert testimony. First, look for facts and statistics because
they are the strongest appeal to logos; however, carefully read the statistics
because they can be misleading. Are they current? Are sources of the data
identified? Are they based on scientific studies? Opinion surveys? Evaluate
them. When your source is a magazine or newspaper, the writer may not document
sources completely. As a result, you must determine if the evidence is credible
based on what the writer includes. Also
look for specific examples because they usually clarify the facts and
statistics. Are they convincing? Why or why not? Last in the order of strength
comes expert testimony. While expert testimony can be very convincing, make
sure it includes facts or statistics to support the claims. Remember, usually
the experts quoted will share similar convictions of the writer.
c. Give three examples. Explain your examples.
8.
What are the counter arguments to the
article writer’s position?
a. Does the writer identify counter
arguments? Does the writer ignore them? If missing, why?
b. How does the writer object to (refute)
the counter arguments related to his or her position?
9. Conclusion.
Write 1 -2 sentences that leave your reader with a final impression of
your analysis.
Organization
and Length
1. Answer
# 1-5 in one to two paragraphs of about one page in length.
2. Answer
# 6 in one long paragraph of about a half page in length.
3. Answer
# 7 in about one to two pages in length.
4. Answer
#8 in a long paragraph of about a half page in length.
5. Answer
#9 in one to two sentences in length.
THE WRITING
PROCESS
Prewriting: To get started, take notes on the article of
your choice. Base your notes on the “content” questions you must answer. Then,
select and answer some questions after the essay. The answers to some of
questions will help you develop paragraphs and suggest other questions to
address in the essay.
Drafting
1. Answer the questions in a well-organized draft.
2. For questions 2 – 5, you do not need to provide evidence.
3. For questions 6 – 7, you will need to provide three
examples each. Provide a mix of
paraphrases, summaries, and short quotes to demonstrate the strength of
your own argument.
Revisions
Focus on adding all required information you might have
missed on the first draft. You may need to supply more textual evidence to make
your argument more convincing. Remember
that your purpose is to persuade your reader (your writing peers) that your
argument is strong based on your analysis.
Editing
You will probably want to do the following:
1. Incorporate short quotes,
summaries, paraphrases in correct citation style (MLA or APA).
2. Determine
where you are wordy and could combine sentences more effectively.
3. Review your essay carefully for
vocabulary lifted directly from source. Write your essay in your words.
4. Review essay for paragraph and
essay coherence. Use transitional ideas and words.
Please use any of these references(you can google any of them and they should come up):
– “Amendment II. Bearing Arms.” Legal
Information Institute, Legal Information Institute,
www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/amendment-2.
– Charles, Patrick J. “Second
Amendment.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 13
Nov. 2020, www.britannica.com/topic/Second-Amendment.
– Franks, Mary Anne. “The Second
Amendment’s Safe Space, or the Constitutionalization of Fragility.” Law
& Contemporary Problems, vol. 83, no. 3, July 2020 pp. 137-157. EBSCOhost.
– Green, Michael S. “Why Protect
Private Arms Possession? Nine Theories of the Second Amendment.” William
& Mary Law School Scholarship Repository, Faculty Publications,
scholarship.law.wm.edu/facpubs/24.
– “U.S. Supreme Court Schedules
NRA-Supported Second Amendment Case for Argument.” State News Service,
20 Sept. 2019. EBSCOhost.
– Zick, Timothy. “Framing the Second
Amendment: Gun Rights, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.” Iowa Law Review,
vol. 106, no. 1, Nov. 2020. EBSCOhost.
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