Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Due Dates:
Scaffolding 1: 9/29: PreWriting Checklist available on
Canvas
Scaffolding 2: 10/01 Rough
Draft of TWO Paragraphs on
TWO RA elements from your
selected texts
Project Bui
9/24
9/25
WHERE WE ARE
During our first week we will be working on defining the concepts of
rhetorical analysis, whereby we as readers begin to break down an authors
text and critically analyze the constructs used for presenting arguments.
We will continue to develop our awareness of how authors use specific
writing strategies that suit their situation, purpose, claim and audience. In
order to fully appreciate a texts power, we will also work to examine texts
through the lens of Aristotles three levels of effective persuasion: Ethos,
Pathos, and Logos, and thereby examine an authors strategic writing
choices. As of now we are active readers of a text.
ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
This article aims to help you master the skill of rhetorical analysis. You
will articulate your awareness of the rhetorical strategies used by authors
and learn how to integrate your understanding of rhetorical devices into
your own writing. For this assignment, you will select pre-selected one
text posted on our Canvas page that discusses or exemplifies current issues
of language-in-use and communication through digital platforms.
ASSIGNMENT GOALS
Pre-selected readings
available through Canvas:
-Is Google Making Us
Stupid? By Nicholas Carr
-Alone Together by
Sherry Turkle
-The Death of the Book
by Ursula K. Le Guin
This assignment
is worth 15%
of your overall
grade for this
course
POINTS TO REMEMBER
-Be sure to write a persuasive analysis of your selected text with a strong thesis statement,
considering not only WHAT the text is arguing, but also HOW it is making the argument.
Specifically, you need to develop a persuasive claim as to how the primary text is designed to make a
particular argument in relation to the rhetorical tools used.
-As with any writing, you will need to include a working introduction and conclusion. You are writing a
rhetorical analysis essay rather than an evaluative essay. The key here is to identify the authors
rhetorical choices and how they are utilizing them to reach their audience- not to judge these choices as
good or bad. Remember to use evidence from selected text to support your response.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
A strong, clear thesis statement and argument supported convincingly by evidence and that
engages a larger So What or relevance
A detailed, focused analysis of the rhetorical strategies and appeals at work within a text, with a
good balance between description and analysis
Well-developed, cohesive paragraphs, with smooth transitions between paragraphs and ideas, and
a deliberate and fluid overall organization and development
A strong, engaging introduction that hooks the reader and accurately represents the topic, style,
and direction of the paper and its argument
Strategic and appropriate use of rhetorical appeals (pathos, logos, ethos & kairos), and
developmental strategies (definition, cause/effect, description, example, process, categorization,
narration)
Clear and effective understanding and negotiation of the rhetorical situation and context/kairos of
your own writing and also of the texts under consideration
A clear, engaging, appropriate and consistent voice/style, that relies on concrete, vivid language,
varied sentence structure and appropriate word choice
A strong conclusion that reemphasizes the central claim without relying exclusively on summary
Evident attention to ethos in the design of the paper and attention to correctness in sentence
structure.
Citing of sources in MLA format, including works cited at the end (that of the main text you have
selected).
Check our Canvas page for an evaluation rubric for further details available in the
Assignments page.
Make sure you have access to Google Drive through Stanford University
Sign up for conference time though Google docs (and set yourself a reminder!)
Bring your responses to pre-writing reflections posted on Canvas
Bring your Scaffolding assignment Reponses (online)
Bring your Writer's Memo (online)