analysis of a text
This is done in 3 different steps.
1. Rough Draft of introduction and first body of paragraph.
2. First draft
3. Final draft
The instructions for the papers are in the link uploaded below and pdf:
ENG 205 Essay # 1 Prompt: Analysis of a Text Min. 4 pgs, typed, double-spaced, MLA format
The “mentor†text: “Kenyon Commencement Speech,†David Foster Wallace (2005)
We’ve read and watched David Foster Wallace’s speech, where he makes a claim about the true value of a liberal arts education: that it gives graduates the ability to “decide what has meaning and what doesn’t.†You don’t have to write on this speech, although you can. You’ll be choosing ANY speech or TED talk you like.
The Prompt:
For this paper, you are going to analyze and evaluate how the speaker in your chosen speech / TED talk uses persuasive strategies with his/her language and examples in order to convince her audience Ø? You will discuss the author’s main argument and central claims and strategies, as well as how the author organizes the piece and how the structure influences what he/she has to say. Ø? You can also discuss the assumption(s) this author is seeking to complicate. Discuss how the author considers the intended audience in the choices they make in developing his argument. Ø? You will also provide a brief assessment of the overall effectiveness of the argument, based on your analysis of the text (not your personal opinion of the issue). You can give your personal opinion of the topic in the conclusion only. Ø? Your evaluation / assessment can be in throughout your body paragraphs, in a separate paragraph before the conclusion, or in the conclusion Ø? In your conclusion, discuss how what he/she has to say is significant for readers.
*Remember, this is not an “agree†or “disagree†paper. You are analyzing and evaluating the ways in which an author of your choice has constructed and supported his or her
argument.
Some guidelines for how to organize this paper:
Brief Introduction:
- Hook Your reasoning for choosing this text • The title of the speech / TED talk and the speaker’s name and background • A little background / context for the text / subject you’ve chosen • The main claim and audience of the text • Your argument: How the author / creator / singer attempts to be persuasive and whether or not they are effective
Your body paragraphs
Discuss, analyze, and evaluate how and why the creator of the piece uses specific persuasive strategies in order to get the audience on board with his/her overall argument • Be sure to fully evaluate the effectiveness of the appeals on the intended audience. Which aspects of your chosen text reveal information about the intended audience? è? ANALYZE • Discuss the WHAT, HOW AND THE WHY • How does the author do this? Why does the author do this? Is it effective? Why or why not? Any moments/aspects in the text where it is lacking? Are there any weak parts? Is there anything that could have been included that would strengthen the text? o How to talk about it • Use evidence from the text (paraphrase). • QUOTE directly from the text (Quote sandwich!!) §? Explain why your quote/evidence is important/relevant/useful. §? Comment on how the quote/evidence is related to the main idea/claim. • Remain OBJECTIVE (this is an analysis, not an argument)..
Conclusion: • What is the significance of this topic? What have you learned after doing rhetorical analysis on your chosen text?
Please include MLA Works Cited page!! Even though you only have one citation (Your speaker’s TED Talk website), you need to include it!
15 Introduction: Start generally and get more specific- introduce the title of the speech. State the main claim and specific intended audience of your choice as well. You can also discuss why it is that you chose this particular TED talk. What is the background of your choice? Context? Your thesis for this paper will answer this question: in what ways does the author attempt to persuade the audience and is he/she successful or not
50
Body Paragraphs: This is where your analysis will dominate. Appeals- Discuss in detail how the speaker uses persuasive strategies to convince his/her audience. Again, here you’ll have to explain the WHAT, HOW and WHY with examples and discussion. Bring in quotes / description. How does he/she take audience into account? Are the strategies effective? Why or Why not?
15
Grammar and Organization: Have thoroughly edited your paper so that sentences are readable and appropriate for an academic audience. Grammar and sentence level issues are considered here. PROOFREAD! Organization is also considered here. Are your paragraphs focused? Do they wander off topic?
10
Conclusion: Overall, comment on media in general creates an argument- controversial or otherwise. Also, comment on how media uses rhetorical appeals in order to be persuasive
10
Page Length/ MLA / works cited: Needs to be at least 3 full pages, in MLA format, with a works cited page
Total
100
Your Total:
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