write Argument Analysis Essay

I need an explanation for this English question to help me study.

C. Boeck

RWS 305W Project 1:Argument Analysis

Length:Your essay should be 3-4 pages, typed, double-spaced.

Format:Follow MLA guidelines for line spacing, margins, headers, page numbering, and documentation of sources, including a Works Cited page.Use a standard 12 point print style font.

Audience:Your instructor and other college-educated readers

Purpose:Analysis/argument

For this assignment, you will find two substantially argued articles on similar topics and decide which one you think is more convincing to its target audience, based on your analysis of the authors’ use of ethos, pathos, and logos, along with other rhetorical strategies. The articles you choose should be recently published and from well-known, reputable sources such as a major newspaper (example, the New York Times) or academicjournal, or magazine (example, Fortune).The articles should present a specific position on the topic with supporting textual material, such as examples, logical reasoning, facts, statistics, etc.The target audience is the readership of the publication.

Writing a comparative analysis means more than simply summarizing the different arguments.Instead, you will first be describing the target audience, and then making an argument about the two texts, using as support specific examples from the articles you select.For instance, you may claim that one argument is more effective than another for its target audience because of the reliability and quantity of its support (i.e., logos).You may also make claims about the credentials or biases of the authors and their testimony or their rhetorical strategies, such as their assumptions, refutations, definitions of key terms, overall organization, choice of vocabulary, use of figurative language, or tone.

Regarding the organization of your paper, the introductory paragraph should introduce the topic, the articles, and should state your claim—which article is more effective for its target audience.The body paragraphs should provide reasoning and evidence from the articles to support your claim, organized by subtopic and in a logical sequence.The conclusion should sum up your ideas and provide any final insights.

Here are some questions that might help you analyze the articles:

• Who is the audience for the publications/articles?
• What is the educational level of the audiences being addressed?
• What are their interests/issues?
• What common ground do the authors share with their audience?
• How do the authors qualify their opinions to influence the audience?
• How do the authors appeal to the audience?
• Are the authors’ strategies effective?If not, what might make them more effective?
• Which author do you find more convincing in terms of his/her target audience?Why?

Additional Helpful Tips:

The rhetorical terms in the prompt are covered in detail in the assigned readings in Trimbur.

Be sure to find two substantially argued articles so that you have enough content to analyze to meet the 3-4 page requirement.Try using GoogleScholar or one ofthe SDSU Library Academic Databases, such as Proquest or Ebscohost.The articles may agree or disagree with each other—the point is to argue which one is more effective for its target audience.

RWS 305W Learning Objectives Met with This Assignment

• Analyze and Evaluate complex print, digital, and multimodal texts that engage significant academic, professional, or civic issues.
• Apply rhetorical principles appropriate to different purposes and goals, within specific disciplinary, professional and civic communities.
• Research and contribute to specific areas of inquiry by evaluating, synthesizing, and integrating strategies and sources appropriate to genre.
• Adapt and employ conventions to communicate with diverse audiences who are members of or affected by a specific area or discipline.
• Compose a variety of texts, working individually and collaboratively, through processes of drafting, critiquing, reflecting, and editing.

Please use these questions to guide you as you give constructive feedback on your group members’ essays.

Argument Analysis Essay Workshop Guide

1. In the introduction, does the essay have a focused, insightful, and clear claim?What is it?Does the claim specifically indicate which article is more convincing to its target audience?

1. Are there specific references to the articles?Are all quotations, paraphrases, or summary statements cited?

• Comment on the paragraph organization.Are the paragraphs organized by

subtopic in a logical sequence?

1. Are all general statements supported with specific information?Does the writer usespecific argument terminology in his/her analysis?Which terms are referred to in the analysis?What areas need additional analysis and clarification?

1. Are transitional words or phrases used to lead the reader from one paragraph to the next?

1. Does the writer use MLA format and include a Works Cited page?

1. Has the essay been edited and proofread with attention to spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation?Comment on areas that need additional attention.