You are analyzing the way the author presented his or her argument to argue whether it is an effective or ineffective argument.

Accounting by Geoffrey

Task

You are analyzing the way the author presented his or her argument to argue whether it is an effective or ineffective argument.

In order to analyze the argument, you will consider the author’s use of:

  • Pathos
  • Ethos
  • Logos
  • Assumptions
  • Logical fallacies
  • Tone
  • Types/Strength of evidence
  • Objectivity/Bias
  • OR any other points you saw in your textbook

Questions to Consider

Ask yourself, what makes for an effective argument? How and in what ways is the argument convincing?

  • Purpose (What is the writer trying to accomplish with the essay?)
  • Audience (To whom does the writer try to appeal? How does the writer try to connect with that audience?)
  • Organization (How has the writer structured and presented the argument?)
  • Nods to the Opposition (How does the writer anticipate and address arguments that might be made against his/her position?)
  • Definition (How does the writer define key terms used in the argument?)
  • Examples (What sort of examples/analogies does the writer use as evidence?)
  • Appeals to Authority (How does the writer use other sources, experts, statistics, etc.?)
  • Ethos (How does the writer present him/herself to the reader?)
  • Logos (How does the writer appeal to the reader’s sense of logical reasoning?)
  • Pathos (How does the writer appeal to the reader’s emotions, beliefs, and values?)
  • Tone (What is the writer’s attitude towards the subject?)
  • Diction and Imagery (What are the effects of the writer’s word choices?)

Note: Remember that the author can use one rhetorical strategy effectively while failing to use others effectively.

Directions

Step 1 Choose your Article

““Keeping the promise to All American’s Children”by Arne Duncan

Step 2 Follow Essay Structure

You will need to:

1. Write the introduction: You will need to restate his/her thesis/argument in your own words. Then you will explain how he or she did an effective or ineffective job at convincing the audience. Identify the argument and intended audience in your introduction.

  • At the end of the introduction paragraph, write your thesis statement stating whether the presented argument is effective or not, and list the reasons why in a preview of points for the body.

2. Essay Body: The body paragraphs should focus on the reasons listed in the thesis and provide evidence of the different strategies used and how effective or ineffective they were to building the author’s argument.

  • Point out any instances where the author used one of the elements above by providing a quote from the text with MLA citation.
  • Comment on whether or not the author did so well, and why? And whether the use of this strategy contributed to effectiveness of his or her argument.
  • You do not have to address every element above, but you do have to evaluate a minimum of 5 strategies. Each of the five can be presented in its own separate paragraph or you may combine them as you see fit. Be aware that I do expect to see clear organization and academic essay structure.

Requirements

  • Length: 4-5 pages
  • Introduction: including a hook, background information about the article, the author’s thesis/claim and his intended audience and your thesis/claim
  • Up to 5 body paragraphs, each including examples from the text as well as your analysis of effectiveness in each body paragraph
  • Conclusion