Project instructions:

you will write a thesis-driven rhetorical analysis of two texts or sources, related to your semester topic on a social, environmental, economic, or local issue. You need to look specifically at texts that directly address a contemporary ethical problem or question related to your issue of choice. This involves researching and finding articles in the library or online relating to your topic. Ideally, you should choose two texts that offer two different views on your topic. Remember, they need to be making an argument about the topic. A successful essay will: Bring readers into the context of the reading. In what larger conversation is the author participating?

What ethical problems or questions appear in this text? Why are they important? What is at stake? Introduce the text to the reader, briefly summarize its main idea, and make a claim (thesis) for each author’s rhetorical strategies. A strong claim is both contestable – reasonable people might disagree – and predictive – it will set up expectations for your reader.

Develop your main points around specific rhetorical strategies. Consider how the author constructs the argument, not whether or not you agree. Analysis relies on objective judgments. Remember also that rhetoric encompasses any tools available for persuasion. For example, would it be useful to talk about the argument in terms of ethos, logos, and/or pathos? Or on purpose, audience, and/or genre? Support your main points with concrete examples (evidence) from the text.

To develop and support your own points, you will need to include specific examples in the form of paraphrase or short direct quotations. Organization and Structure of Paper: The paper should be organized in the following manner: Introduction Section: Introduce the topic for which the authors are making a claim Purpose (Introduces two sources to include author names and title of text, along with the subject matter.) Claim/Thesis/Main Idea from Authors (Provide the main claim or thesis statement of each author.) Analysis Parameters (What methods of analysis will you use to analyze the sources? Explain what criteria are used in your paper.) Analysis Section: Provide at least three characteristics by which to analyze each text by CHOOSING ONE of these options: Ethos, Pathos, Logos Style, Tone, Sentence Structure Toulmin Model (describe how this model is applied to the texts – claim, warrant, evidence, etc.) Compare and contrast elements of each text/author arguments (What are the similarities?

How are they different?) Provide specific examples from each text in order to support your comments (at least 3 quotes with in-text citations from each source) The details should be thorough and logical Conclusion Section: States the major inferences that can be drawn from the analysis. It is based entirely on previously stated information. It does not introduce new material or evidence to support your analysis. Works Cited (new page – last page of paper): MLA format must be use for both sources listed Works cited page contains each source used in the in-text citations (there should only be two!). 1 page min MLA Format (I want to see what we have learned so far used: Page Formatting and correct title rules applied) Upload the assignment as a .docx or .pdf

 

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