Analyze the reasons and evidence in the article: is the argument strong/weak? Make sure to use at least one strong quote.

Critique Essay Draft Template– PLEASE save assignment in WORD compatible file, NOT pdf
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING TASKS — then UPLOAD this Template to Assessments>Assignment/>Critique Essay Draft Folder.
Please complete All TASKS below in this TEMPLATE.
TASK #1—Provide Responses to Your Chosen Article. Analyze the Claims, Reasons and Evidence in the article:
* The purpose of all the questions in the boxes in the Template is to get students to look deeply into the article.
It could be there are no problems of overgeneralization or unsupported points — or maybe only one. It’s an opportunity to look over the article and state if this issue does NOT apply or if there are such issues. Same with below that. If the author is fair throughout, just write that.
QUESTIONS YOUR RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS
YOUR RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS
Standard: What evidence in the chosen article provides support for its main point? Hasty generalization, unsupported points in your article, if any? Examine the writer’s reasons and support for the thesis. Look to see if evidence or some kind of backing has been provided for the writer’s points. Provide key citations or quotes. Are the reasons and support overgeneralized and unsupported?
Standard: Are there valid interpretations of sources and evidence in the article?
Distortions of facts and evidence/distortions of sources/ any questionable use of evidence/ appeals to authority in your article?
If this applies to your article — look carefully at evidence and ask yourself, “How else could this be interpreted? What else could account for this?” Check the sources themselves and make sure the writer has used them fairly.
Remember: Just because something is a “fact” or “statistic” does not automatically make it true, or mean that the writer’s argument is necessarily valid.
Standard: Are reasons and evidence accurate in the article?

Any untruths, in accurate or partial statements contradicted by other evidence you find or erroneous assumptions? Limited use of online searches: test some of the facts, statistics, quotations, and other pieces of evidence or reasoning provided in support of the thesis.
Task #2: Raise Questions About Fairness. When writers are fair, they respect opposing viewpoints and represent opposing points of view accurately and completely. They avoid using demeaning or biased language.
FILL IN A SERIES OF QUESTIONS/STATEMENTS ABOUT YOUR ARTICLE—See Sample below. This will explore the article’s language and/or bias and/or, fairness and/or point of view. (Remember that it’s possible that you will discover that the writer of your argument is fair-minded and unbiased: You may NOT find any bias and unfairness at all.)
Outline: FILL IN BELOW.
Outline (FILL IN YOUR INFORMATION—(SEE SAMPLE–NEXT PAGE)
1st Paragraph Introductory Sentence—issue being discussed
Thesis Statement (last sentence of the paragraph)
2nd paragraph /
Following paragraphs Identifies the article title, the full name of the author and a brief summary of what the author is discussing in this article.
Main supporting points in following paragraphs supports the thesis statement.
Disagreements with author’s points? Fair, accurate, logical, biased—or not?
Conclusion In conclusion, …… Re-introduce the thesis statement into the conclusion.
SAMPLE OF OUTLINE TO HELP YOU ANSWER ABOVE
st Paragraph Introductory Sentence—issue being discussed
Technology is likely harming people, and if so, people need to take certain steps.
Thesis Statement
People should reassert control over tech in their lives.
Main supporting points for thesis include:
statistics on addictiveness, measuring individuals against others, unrealistic expectations.
2nd Paragraph Identifies the article title, the full name of the author and a brief summary of what the author is discussing in this article.
Supporting Paragraphs
Use convincing supporting paragraphs – avoids overgeneralizing/unsupported points.
Questions Raised—fair, accurate, logical? Is the author fair, accurate, logical in the points made in the article.
Conclusion Re-introduce the thesis statement into the conclusion.

Task #3: Draft
Draft: DEVELOP A DRAFT ESSAY BASED ON YOUR CHOSEN ARTICLE.
PLEASE NOTE: COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FORMAL ESSAYS, AVOID “You, Your, I, Me, We, Our” in favour of more indirect formal style.
Formal college and university essays generally AVOID using “I”, “me”, “you”, “your”, “we”, “our” and instead use a more indirect style. (e.g., thesis statement: Forgiveness is highly recommended by most religions and cultures, although often it is very difficult and sometimes impossible to forgive.)
Rather than using “We have concluded,” or “I believe,” use instead — “Many individuals have concluded that social networking has no effect on them, however,” or “While a number of people stated that Twitter is destroying the English language, there is considerable research that …” or “It is clear that feelings of shame continue to be a burden for specific groups in Canada to this day, however….”
TO SUM UP:
• The introduction provides an opening sentence about the article PLUS a thesis statement/the main point for the article.
• The 2nd paragraph introduces the main author and article and begins supplying evidence to support the thesis statement.
1) Make use of sample notes in CONTENT for what is required, if this helps.
2) Analyze the reasons and evidence in the article: is the argument strong/weak? Make sure to use at least one strong quote.
3) Deal with issues of bias, fairness, and use of language: is the author fair-minded or not? Again, quote from the source.
Conclusion in Final Paragraph
1) Bring in thesis statement from the First Paragraph as part of your conclusion.
2) If relevant, provide one more closing sentence.
Reference
TASK #4: Post the Critique Essay Draft to Discussion Board
1. Upload Critique Essay Draft file to ASSESSMENT/ASSIGNMENT/Critique Essay Draft folder.
2. ALSO POST this Critique Essay Draft [JUST THE ESSAY PARAGRAPHS] to the Critique Essay Discussion Board for the Peer Feedback in the upcoming Unit 03. (see below for details).
Reminder: Submission of all work in stages, including the outline and draft, is REQUIRED in order for the final, revised Critique Essay (25%) to be accepted for evaluation. Please see Grading and Assignment Submission Policies
Sharing your writing with others is an opportunity for feedback. To share your draft, follow the instructions below:
• Go to the Critique Essay Discussion board
• Click “Start a New Thread”
• In the Subject Line, provide your project with an original title
• Copy and paste the whole text of your essay
• Click “Post”

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