Analyzing an Argument

Description

Analyzing an Argument: Argument Analysis Final Draft For this assignment, you will propose a topic in the Research Proposal discussion. Once you have selected a topic, you will do some research, locating and collecting three or four academic and even non-academic articles about that topic. After you have done some research, you need to select the one article that you want to work with for this assignment.  This assignment asks you to select and rhetorically analyze an article and the arguments presented therein. That means, you will take the rhetorical knowledge that you are developing and apply it by analyzing the rhetorical structure of an existing argument. This will teach you about how rhetoric works, while showing you how the tools of rhetoric can be used to analyze and parse an argument to better see what makes it tick. In your analysis, you are asked to: Introduce the author and their text. Articulate the author’s purpose, intended audience, and main claim. Develop a thesis that indicates the rhetorical purpose of your analysis. Identify significant sub-claims, connecting them to the author’s main claim. Describe the author’s supporting evidence; analyze and evaluate the strategies used and appeals developed in that evidence; for each particular strategy: Explain how the author uses the strategy to develop one or more appeals (ethos, pathos, logos). Discuss how the strategy and appeal(s) work together to support the author’s argument. Examine why the author may have chosen to use that particular rhetorical move, and consider the likely effects it may have on their intended audience. Evaluate whether the author applies the strategy and appeal effectively, and determine whether it is appropriate for the intended audience. Explore the significance of your analysis. Please write up your analysis attending to each of these bullet points, but write the paper as a paper rather than a list following the content guide provided above. That is, provide all of the content in the list above, but write it up as a formal academic paper rather than a list. The paper should be 3-4, double-spaced pages long, using either MLA or APA, and it should be written using a standard 12-pt font. I look forward to reading your paper!   Rubric Argument Analysis Rubric Argument Analysis Rubric Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Secondary Research and Source Use *Student writing shows evidence of secondary research; *Student writing critically and analytically interrogates an argument/research; *Student writing uses a source (argument being analyzed) as evidence; *Source used in text is attributed and cited; *Source is represented using a variety of strategies, including summary, paraphrase, and quotation; *Student writing demonstrates ability to use a variety of digital tools to research and write an argument 9.0 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Rhetorical Practice *Student writing indicates use of invention strategies; *Thesis indicates the rhetorical purpose of the text; *Student writing shows awareness of writing context and audience; *Metacognitive awareness is demonstrated in reflective writing; *Word choice and paper features make sense for genre; *Student writing indicates revision, including the incorporation of feedback; *Student writing shows elements of collaboration, including peer review *Student writing demonstrates awareness of the conventions of written language *Student writing shows awareness of rhetorical practices (inquiry, persuasion, argumentation, etc.)? 8.0 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Critical Literacy *Student writing selects and begins a topic of inquiry and line of research; *Student writing critically engages academic literacy; *Student writing critically examines the rhetorical practices of the academy *Student writing critically engages issues of power and ideology; 8.0 pts Total Poin