The purpose of this assignment is to practice with the rhetorical, academic moves you are learning in your textbook, the “They Say, I Say” format, in order to compose a short response to a text. In They Say, I Say, you are learning how to define what others are saying, as well as craft your own response in order to produce academic writing and response. For this essay, you will work on synthesizing your skills in comprehension, analysis, summary/paraphrase/quotation, and response.
Furthermore, today’s employers place a lot of value on thinking critically, ethical judgment and integrity, intercultural skills, innovation, and a life-long desire to learn. One way to continue to learn outside of school, get exposure to new ideas, and hone your own position is by regularly reading, viewing, and listening to high quality material, as well as discussing it with others. This assignment will allow you to organize your use of the templates in They Say, I Say, as well as show the progress you are making in the acquisition of academic skills and desirable professional qualities.
Academic Values: Critical Thinking, Critical Analysis, Discourse, Claims Based on Evidence, Close Reading
Process
For this assignment, you will choose and respond to any one of the anthologized articles in Chapters 19 to 23 of They Say, I Say. Please note that each of these anthology chapters opens with a brief introduction written by the book’s editors, so that the first article in Chapter 19 actually begins on page 294 and is written by Naomi Klein. Do not write about one of these chapter introductions; choose an essay title from that chapter whose author is named in the table of contents.
After reading this assignment all the way through, you should choose a few articles to read that might interest you before finalizing your choice.
In order to respond to the text, you must first read it and comprehend the author(s) viewpoint, position, or argument. The first part of your assignment will, therefore, be an explanation of the author’s position using summary, paraphrase, and some quotation. The second part of the assignment will be your response, using the concepts you learned in Chapter 4, “Yes/No/Okay, But.” The assigned Little Seagull Handbook readings will also help you as your develop this essay.
Your essay will start to bring together and synthesize your growing understanding of the templates in They Say, I Say, and the practice with them we have been doing in class. Therefore, on this assignment you will be assessed on comprehension, summary, analysis, understanding of the rhetorical situation, and the logic of your own response. You will also begin to use MLA format in order to design your document and cite your source(s). You may use the “Short Template” linked in Canvas as the basis for this assignment.
Remember, you are not expected to know everything there is to know about academic reading, writing, and rhetoric, but to show that you are building the skills necessary for success in academic and professional contexts. The more practice you have, the better you will become!
Assignment Criteria
An essay that “Achieves Excellence” will be distinguished in the following criteria:
The writer explains the author’s ideas, position, and/or point of view using the concepts and methods addressed in Chapters 1-3 of They Say, I Say.
The writer identifies the reasons and/or evidence upon which the author is basing his or her position.
The writer identifies the conclusions drawn by the author(s)/speaker(s)/producer(s).
The writer uses summary, paraphrase, and/or some quotation appropriately in his or her explanation of the text.
The writer responds to the text with his or her position using the concepts and methods addressed in Chapter 4 of They Say, I Say (“Yes/No/Okay, But”).
The writer defends and supports his or her position with sound evidence and reasoning.
The writer draws well-supported conclusions about the position taken by the author in the text.
The writer demonstrates reading comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking.
The writer meets the standards for effective communication (clarity, logic, precision, accuracy, significance, and fairness).
The writer adheres to MLA guidelines for formatting, in-text citations, and the Works Cited page.
The essay is 700-800 words.
