ENG 101 Bolton Essay Assignment: Text Analysis and Evaluation Important Dates and Requirements Length Requirement:

: Sources Required: Draft Due in Class (2 copies!): Final Copy Due to Instructor: 900-1500 words* two* (see Sources section below for details) September 30 (MW); October 1 (TR) (make sure you have 2 copies in class with you!) in Portfolio #1

* Essays (including drafts) that do not meet the length or source requirements will receive half credit. * We will practice different strategies through small assignments building up to this essayyou are expected to use those to help you with your final draft. * On this assignment sheet, all chapter numbers refer to the Norton Field Guide unless otherwise designated by TSIS (They Say I Say).

Assignment Overview
An evaluation determines whether something is good or bad, while an analysis breaks something down into parts and explores how it works. For this assignment, you will combine these two genres to analyze and evaluate two argumentative essays. 1.) First, you will need to select an approved pair of essays (from the list below)you may not mix and match or select your own other writings; these essays have been selected and paired together intentionally with this assignment in mind. Those designated as Norton are in your Norton Field Guide; TSIS refers to They Say I Say, and the others are in the Portfolio #1 Content unit on D2L. Paired Essay Options Should Gamers Be Prosecuted for Virtual Stealing? Alex Weiss (Norton, pg. 727) Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted Malcolm Gladwell (on D2L) Is Google Making Us Stupid? Nicholas Carr (Norton, pg. 731) Two Years Are Better Than Four Liz Addison (on D2L) Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1% Joseph Stiglitz (Norton, pg. 746) Agonism in the Academy: Surviving the Argument Culture Deborah Tannen (TSIS, pg. 214) Anti-Intellectualism: Why We Hate the Smart Kids Grant Penrod (Norton, pg. 754) Hidden Intellectualism Gerald Graff (TSIS, pg. 198) Kenneth Cole Gets Schooled David Sirota (Norton, pg. 759) 2b or Not 2b? David Crystal (on D2L)

ENG 101 Bolton Essay Assignment: Text Analysis and Evaluation 2.) Once youve selected your pair of essays, read them carefully and determine which one makes a better argument (based on what weve discussed about argumentsee Norton, Chs. 10 and 33). It is extremely important that you do not select the better essay based on your own opinions about the topic(s)you are simply determining which makes the better argument, whether you agree with it or not. You must select two to three of the following aspects on which to analyze/evaluate the essays: use of logos (logic) as arguing strategy (or rhetorical appeal) use of ethos (credibility) as arguing strategy (or rhetorical appeal) use of pathos (emotion) as arguing strategy (or rhetorical appeal) lack of fallacies in argument effectiveness of establishing a clear and arguable position convincing reasons and evidence counterargument / consideration of other positions Note: You must also point out at least one fallacy in whichever essay you determine to be weaker.

Your essay, since discussing two sources, will make heavy use of comparing/contrasting the two articles, so familiarize yourself with that concept/strategy as well. Sources The only sources you may use in this essay are the two articles/essays you are discussing (from the paired options above. You may not do additional research on the authors or the topics; you may not find an online version of the article for more information, etc.all you have are the essays themselves. You may, however, use the information provided for you in the author/context blurbs on each essay.

The Rhetorical Situation

See Chapters 1-5 for details on each of these aspects: Purpose: Audience: to inform readers on what makes an argument effective editors compiling a textbook of readings for a college class on effective arguingthey are looking for the strongest examples of arguments to include (and perhaps some weak examples as well) [Hint: This means that they will be familiar with terms like logos and ad hominem (fallacy) therefore, you should use this specific terminology in your essay] Analysis and Evaluation (Chapters 7 and 13) objective it is important that your essay remain focused on the structure and content of the essays, not your personal beliefs on the topic(s) Printed academic essay in MLA format follow those requirements

Genre: Stance: Media:

Although the focus of your essay is analyzing and evaluating, by selecting which essay is better, you are also making an argumentmake sure you include convincing reasoning to defend your choice!

ENG 101 Bolton Essay Assignment: Text Analysis and Evaluation

Essay Requirements/Guidelines
Introduction Use one of the following types of introductions (or ways of beginning): o Explain the larger context of your topic [argument, not topic of essay being analyzed/evaluated] (see Chapter 30) o Define key terms or concepts [arguing, logos, fallacy, etc.] (see Chapter 30) o Ask a question (see Chapter 30) Keep in mind that the purpose of your essay is to analyze/evaluate arguments in terms of their content/structure, NOT to discuss your views on the topic! Strategies Use each of the following strategies at least once in your essay: o Comparing and Contrasting (see Chapter 35) o Describing/Summarizing (see Chapter 37 or 42; or TSIS, Ch. 2) o Quoting (see Chapter 47 or TSIS, Ch. 3) o You must quote from each article/essay at least once within your essay Conclusion Use one of the following types of conclusions (or ways of ending): o Restate your main point (see Chapter 30) o Discuss the implications of your argument (see Chapter 30) Organization Since this is an academic essay (see Chapters 6 and/or 31), you are expected to follow those requirements and expectations: o o o o o o an interesting, original title that is relevant to the essays content a thesis statement at the end of the introduction paragraph topic sentences that connect to the thesis statement transitions/pointing words (etc.) to help connect ideas support for each topic sentence and so on

There are additional handouts and links on D2L that will help you construct this essay (and dont forget to refer to the smaller, practice assignments you have done in class or at home). Its your responsibility to consult D2L and/or seek additional help if you need it. A sample essay for this exact assignment is on D2Lit has been annotated to demonstrate how the strategies are all incorporated and discuss why it is effective. Consult it and use it as a guideline to write your own.