Argumentation-Persuasion Critical Essay

Argumentation-Persuasion Critical Essay

Process
Students begin with watching/reading and taking notes on the movie Dances with Wolves (1991) OR the novel Juneteenth (1999) by Ralph Ellison, along with scholarly sources they chose for either the movie or the novel. In addition, they will study the workings of persuasive argument, including methods of appeal, types of logic, logical fallacies, and support and refutation of evidence. They will apply all of these to their interpretation of the events put forth in either the movie or the book.

Purpose and Audience
Students will write to persuade an audience. Students should use logical and emotional appeals and should appeal to their credibility as writers.

Exposition and Argument
Students state their position in the thesis, then bring forth evidence from the movie or book and scholarly sources to support that claim and refute opposing arguments. They will draw on their knowledge of rhetorical appeals to strengthen their support as well.

Organization and Development
Students use a clear essay framework consisting of an
introduction, multiple body paragraphs that include direct quotations, summary, and paraphrase, and a conclusion. Students use MLA format for their in-text quotations and Works Cited page.

Critical Thinking
Students will analyze the question of language and identity and depiction of natives (if choosing Dances with Wolves) OR they will analyze literary devices (metaphor, simile, allusion) and the question of identity and belonging in Juneteenth. Students apply their knowledge of persuasive argument and its methods to offer a critical analysis of a plot or literary device.

Syntax and Usage
Language, grammar, tone, and punctuation are appropriate to the purpose.
Basic proofreading has eliminated surface-level errors, and revision has been utilized to
strengthen the presentation of the argument. The essay is written in 3rd person present tense and at no point should contain “I” or opinion.

Pre-Writing and Thinking Questions:
Dances with Wolves
Consider your position on Dances with Wolves. Is Lt. Dunbar guilty of perpetuating colonialism and negative stereotypes of Native Americas? Is he purely innocent/merely an innocuous player in the larger game? Is he responsible in any way for the outcome of the crime?

Is being innocent the same as being “not guilty?” Why or why not?

How did the format of the story as a movie affect your reading of the events?

Juneteenth
How does Ellison employ simile, metaphor, allusion, and figurative language in the novel? In what ways do these literary devices help reinforce the theme of identity?

What is the significance of the death imagery, such as when Hickman wants Bliss to rise out of a coffin?

What is the significance of the religious rhetoric in the novel? Why is most of the novel devoted to Bliss’ flashbacks in church settings?

How does Ellison use symbolism in the novel? How does it convince you as a reader?

Essay Prompts: Draw on what you learned in this unit to craft a persuasive argument addressing one of the prompts below. You must use whichever primary text you choose to focus on AND both secondary texts as support for this paper.

Prompt A: Discuss race and at least 3 specific ways in which race comes up in the novel. How does Ellison use race to tie into the novel’s larger themes and message? Use the novel and two scholarly sources to support your position.

Prompt B: Was Reverend Hickman right in raising Bliss as his own son? Should he have done something differently? Use at least 3 examples from the text to support your position. You must also use two scholarly texts to support your position.

Prompt C: Using your knowledge of narrative as well as argument, consider whether Kevin Costner (the director or “author” of Dances with Wolves) stayed true to the depiction Sioux/Lakota life. Discuss and analyze three scenes. Persuade readers with supporting evidence from the movie and two scholarly sources.

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