Essay #1: Analysis of an Argument For Essay 1, you will be analyzing an argument from your textbook.

Youll need to (a) determine what the author is trying to say (b) analyze the ways your author constructs his/her argument, and (c) explain your conclusions about how convincing the author is to his/her audience. Assume your audience has not read the source. You will need to explain where that source appears and its basic argument. You must be objective in your analysis. Your audience should not know your position on the controversy after reading your essay. Step 1: Find a debate youre interested in from the Practical Argument casebooks. Read the essays in the casebook, getting a feel for the different arguments and main issues in the debates. Here are options you can choose from: Chapter 22, Should Every American Go to College? Chapter 24, Is America Safer Now than Before 9/11? Chapter 25, Is the Glass Ceiling a Myth or a Reality?

If you dislike all of these options, check out the at-issue sections within chapters of the book. Some of these debate options are acceptable as well, but you must receive permission to use any but the ones listed above. You may not choose an essay weve already discussed in class or that is on the schedule for this unit. STEP 2: Select an essay youre interested in analyzing from your chosen casebook and determine where the author falls in the debate (i.e., which side, how moderate, etc.). See Step 1 for limits on your choices. To determine whether this is a good source, assess its credibility, using the criteria discussed in Chapter 8, Finding and Evaluating Sources. Note: It appears in my textbook, and is therefore credible is insufficient. Why was it selected? Should it have been? Find where it was originally published to help you decide (see Text Credits at the end of your book). Is this a source you want to use? Or would another essay in the casebook be better? A good source for your analysis will be of sufficient length to analyze in 4-6pp, be credible overall but with flaws, and consider alterative views to its own. Consider that objectivityone of the criteria discussed in Chapter 8is not a goal of a persuasive piece. It should, however, be fair to the opposition. Process STEP 3: Determine what the author is trying to say and whom the author is trying to convince. Is the author trying to reach the other side of the debate or to mobilize his/her own supporters? Cross-Cultural ComponentWhat is the culture of the attended audience? You can consider culture in terms of nationality, race, age, social class (poor, middle, wealthy), etc. What words in the text reveal this group as the target audience? Does the writer succeed in appealing to the audiences in-group mentality? In other words, does writer help to persuade the audience by connecting to a common culture?

STEP 4. Create bullet points about the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the argument the author is making by assessing the essay using criteria from your book, our discussions, and the doubting and believing column below. Youll want to compare the authors essay with other sources in the casebook, using those sources to judge the quality of your authors argument and evidence. Remember that youre trying to figure out how convincing the article is to its audience, not to you (i.e., if the author is trying to reach opponents and you are a supporter, you will want to evaluate how well he/she is reaching those opponents, not you). If you agree with everything your author says and does in the essay, choose a different one. You wont have enough to write. Believing You are impressed with the logic of the argument. You find several of the authors strategies (such as its use of emotional appeal or compare-contrast) persuasive and compelling. The design of the essay complements the argument and/or the style of the writing does. Doubting You have some issues with the logic of its argument and/or notice several fallacies. You find some aspects of its approach (use of emotional appeal or compare-contrast, for example) problematic. You see flaws in its writing style that work against its argument. Its design/use of images or writing style could be improved. (Images will only be relevant if you see that in the original version of the essay, imagery was included). For example, it uses too much sarcasm or too casual of language for its chosen audience. You question some aspects of its credibility (see Step 2 above).

The ethos helps the author make his/her case. (For example, the author has impressive credentials/the site/journal is reliable, the research is up to date, etc.) The statistics are representative and come from reliable sources. You can verify the statistics elsewhere (i.e., in the other sources in the casebook, in credible online sources, etc.). All points are well supported with evidence and quotes from reliable authorities. It does a good job making many of its points.

The statistics used arent representative/seem flawed (i.e., which may be noticeable once you compare them to statistics in other sources in the casebook). There isnt enough backing for some of the points in the argument. Several of its points are less effective than they should be.

The author takes the other sides arguments and values into consideration, and even concedes that they have points (other views can be found in the casebook). Reliable sources are used. It reaches out to its audience. Analogies and anecdotes are used effectively to reach the audience. It seems to include all the content it should (which you may find in the casebook).

There is not enough consideration for the other sides points/they are unfairly represented (other views can be found in the casebook).

Biased sources/quotes are used. It has the potential to alienate rather than persuade its audience. Analogies/anecdotes dont quite work. It is missing content (issues, concerns, points) it should include (which you may find in the casebook).

These are not the only criteria you could consider, but these should get you started. You will find it easier to write if you choose a source by an author who doesnt share your stance on this controversy.

WRITING Step 5: Analyze the effectiveness of the authors argument. Now that youve considered what the author is trying to do and whom he/she is trying to reach (Step 3), where he/she falls in the debate (liberal end, conservative end, etc.Steps 1-2), write about how successfully he/she makes his/her case to his/her target audience. Consider what rhetorical techniques the person uses to support his/her argument and how these techniques are/are not/are partially working (given the purpose and audience of the source). Why these methods instead of others? Is the author and/or source credible (see Step 2) enough to help her/his case? How effective are the sources argumentative approach and style in backing up the argument (Step 4)? In your thesis statement, explain whether the source succeeds, fails, or somewhat succeeds in reaching its target audienceand why. Use at least one other casebook source or an outside source/s on the debate to evaluate that effectiveness. This extra source/s will help you (a)explain what your author is responding to, (b) explore what he/she has left out, (c)compare his/her approach to how another handled the same debate, (d) further evaluate the authors background/ credibility, etc. Be careful not to quote/paraphrase so much from this source/these sources that your own focus on the chosen source is unclear.

Remember that you are trying to persuade your own readers that you understand the nuances of this controversy and this persons argument; your position on this debate should not be evident. Step 6: Organize your essay using one of the following methods: Addressing first the strengths of the essay, and then the weaknesses Discussing the essay chronologically (rarely works, so hesitate to take this approach) Dividing the piece into sections, such as the quality of the source, author credibility, etc. Taking another approach

Step 7: Put it all together. Your essays should be typed, printed in dark ink, and double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Place your name, the date, and my name in the upper left-hand hand corner of the first page. Double space, and then center your title, which should be neither underlined nor quoted. Double space again and begin typing your essay, numbering the pages. In a file folder or binder clip, include the following: Your final essay, which should be 4-6 pages (only go over by a paragraph/two) The works cited page with the citation for the source you analyzed in the essay (on a separate page after the essays conclusion, not included in the page count) and for the other piece/s you used from the casebook/elsewhere; do not forget to include this works cited page. The afterthought (one to three paragraphs) directly after the works citedreflecting on the changes youve made from draft to draft and discussing the process of writing your essay (why you made the decisions you did, which peer advice you followed and did not and why, what worked and didnt as you revised, etc.) Rough drafts, workshop worksheets (by your classmates about your work), and peer letters (by your classmates about your work)

RESEARCHED ESSAY (ESSAY #2)

This assignment is designed to allow you to discover information about a topic and a researchable question that interests you. Your research question will guide your inquiry, and in turn, your inquiry and discoveries along the way will determine if the essay takes an exploratory or an argumentative/persuasive approach. This essay assignment will bring together many of the writing skills that we have been working on this semester, such as writing with voice, evaluating others argument, evaluating sources, informing our writing with research, developing a clear thesis, paying attention to audience, and expressing a logical progression of thoughts. The essay counts for 20% of your final grade, and it should be representative of the skills you are developing this semester. In addition, the Research Proposal and Annotated Bibliography will count for 10% of your final grade, and they will include summaries and evaluations of sources for your researched essay. They all add up to 30% of your final course grade. Response papers and other graded homework for researched essay will be added to the homework pool of the whole semester which will count for 20% of your final grade. Cross-Cultural Component: While you have freedom in choosing the topic of your essay, you will be required to consider the topic from a cross-cultural perspective. What can be learned about your topic by considering it from a perspective outside of your own? What do people of other cultures deal with the same/similar economic, medical, educational issues, etc.? In order to gain the cross-cultural perspective, you may want to interview someone from another culture or cross-culture specialists, or read sources about cross-cultural issues or even written by those outside your culture. Cross-Cultural Topics (for reference): The trend of globalization of the US universities, The transition of international students in the US universities, The attitude of people towards cultural diversity in their communities (including your current or prospective departments, neighborhood, etc.) Should Undocumented Immigrants Be Entitled to Drivers License/Questions about Immigration/Questions about the DREAM Act (PA, Chapter 22), Understanding other cultures for the sake of the homeland security/economy/education/ etc. International Student Exchange Programs, Distance-Learning for Classroom Learning (PA, Chapter 6), Improving health care system of the US through looking at its counterpart in England, The US companies moving productions to developing countries,

Going to College/Questions on the Cost of College/Financial Aid/The Need for a Degree beyond the Bachelors degree/Questions about vocational programs (PA, Chapter 26)

REQUIREMENTS
Paper Format: The essay should be 4-6 pages in length (not including Works Cited page), double-spaced, with one-inch margins, in font size 12, using Times New Roman. Use MLA format.

Title: You will need a title for your essay that peaks your readers interest and leads your reader into your topic. A separate title page is not necessary.

Source Requirements: You will need a minimum of five (5) sources. All sources need to be evaluated for reliability and academic soundness. Of these sources:

Only one source can be from the Internet (meaning, published solely on the Internet. For example, electronic databases such as EBSCOhost are journals, not Internet sources. Or it can be an NPR [National Public Radio broadcast from npr.org], BBC or a documentary.)

At least one source must be field research-based (such as an interview or short survey).

At least two of the sources must be from academic books/journals/academic databases. One source must be an academic book from the library catalog (edited collection, solo authored, or e-book).

Please note: If you choose to use more than five sources, you may exceed any of the above source requirements. For example, if you have seven sources, you might have one field-research based source, two academic books/journals, and four Internet sources.

Citation Requirements: Make sure that all summaries, paraphrases, and quotes drawn from these sources are integrated into the text of your essay. Use MLA format to cite all your sources, both in your essay and on the Works Cited page.

Note: Not all disciplines use the MLA format of documentation. When you write a research paper for other classes, be sure to check with your syllabus or your professor regarding the proper citation format for other papers.

The Writing Center: The researched essay is a good opportunity to explore the writing center. You should strive to set up appointment and meet with a writing consultant from the Connors Writing Center to work on this research essay. Be aware that the Writing Center often gets very busy this time of the semester. Do not wait until the last moment to make this appointment. Any student who visits the Writing Center, brings back the notes, and revises the draft based on these notes will receive an additional three points on the final essay score. (The Writing Center usually send a letter to the instructor documenting your visits and requests.)

STEP 1: RESEARCH PROPOSAL (AND YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION) DUE ON MAR. 14, 4pm
The proposal should be 1-2 pages (single-spaced) in length and it should explain why you are interested in this subject. For information on writing proposals, see Ballengers exercise 5 in Chapter 3 to help you write your initial draft.

Your purpose in the final draft is to persuade me (and other members of the class) that this is a strong research topic, guided by good, researchable questions. The Proposal should use subheadings and include the following: A persuasive discussion of why youre interested in this research question, including any personal connections Your research questions Your plan for completing the file-based research component A list of key search terms that youve already discovered (and alternative search terms), as well as a list of 2 possible library databases that will be useful for this project, Your overall game plan/time line for completing the essay, including how you will structure your time. (This is for you, as much as for us. As you plan, take into account given you current schedule and other commitments. Plan ahead.), A list of 3-4 possible library-based and/or other academic sources, properly cited in MLA format.

Your proposal must be approved by your instructor.

STEP 2: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE ON MAR. 24

Your annotated bibliography will help you prepare to write Essay #2. You will research and write about AT LEAST 5 sources in addition to those found in the Practical Argument book . Compiling this annotated bibliography will help you select an audience, know which methods are effective for you to employ, and find backing for your position. It will also help you to practice summarizing and evaluating sources.

WHERE TO LOOK: In order to understand context, back up your position, or counter your oppositions/the audiences views, go to:

The Opposing Viewpoints database Radio news broadcasts and news shows, like those found on programs like Talk of the Nation, Science Fridays, NHs Laura Knoy Show, etc. on National Public Radio (NPR.org; nhpr.org). Web sites representing different perspectives: http://www.csudh.edu/dearhabermas/leftright.htm.

To support your research and argument, consider sources and evidence that include the following:

Statistical sourcesfrom surveys you conduct, or from other sources which are not just those directly related to those in your debate, but those that dovetail with it. For example, if youre arguing for drilling, you might consider current gas prices at the pump. Studiesparticularly those from peer-reviewed journals/reliable books. Quotes from authorities your audience would trustpolitical (especially if on their side of the debate), historical, governmental, etc. Look at Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail for examples. Stories/anecdotes from interviews you conduct or from reputable articles, books, documentaries, radio or television news broadcasts, etc. Analogies/counter-examplesConsider other controversies that could be compared to/serve as analogies for yours. If youre suggesting your audience change strategies, which groups approachwhether part of their debate/notmight you recommend?

QUALITY OF THE SOURCES: Wikipediaor any other general encyclopediacan NOT be considered one of the sources in your bibliography. You can look at it initially for background. I would see if any of their citations can help you. For each source in your annotated bibliography, consider these factors, among others, to assess its quality: Publication/sponsor credibility/level of bias (credentials) Author credibility/level of bias Credibility of style of site/article/writing (logic, fallacies, harshness of style, etc.) Timeliness Information verifiable?

Keep in mind that being in the database or in the library is not enough of a reason to consider a source credible. Ensure that you are basing your decision to use the source on more than one standard.

Of the five+ sources in your annotated bibliography, at least one source must either be print-based (i.e., a book) or a documentary/radio show. You might consider a possible interview as well, particularly if you choose a local/university debate. (Of course, you may have additional or different sources by the time you finish your papers.)

FORMAT OF THE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: For a complete list of MLA citations, see PA Chapter 10, Documenting Sources: MLA. In each annotation you should:

(1) Cite the text of your choice in perfect MLA format. (2) Summarize the text. (3) Evaluate the credibility of the text. (4) Explain how you will use the source in your paper.

For an example and description of an annotated bibliography, see Handout on BB: Enderwick, Annotated Bibliography: Wikileaks. There are also examples on the Purdue Owl at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/03/

Final helpful point: Consider how the research you choose will be effective (or wont be effective) for the audience that you are trying to reach in your final researched paper:

To determine your audience, you might look closely at the web sites of stakeholders in the conversation, including: A public interest group you find online involved in the debate A political figure invested in this debate An author who has written on the debate An official who is a decision maker in this debate Another group/person who could be considered a stakeholder

STEP 3: GETTING TO THE DRAFT, REVISION, AND KEY DATES IN THE TIMELINE:
Week 7, M, 3-3: Week 7, F, 3-14, 4pm: Week 8, M, 3-17: Library Visit Research Proposal due Conference I

Week 9, M, 3-24: Week 9, W, 3-26: Week 10, M, 3-31: Week 11, M, 4-7: Week 11, W, 4-9: Week 12, M, 4-14: Week 12, W, 4-16:

Annotated Bibliography due Writers Workshop I Conference II Grammar and Style Workshop Writers workshop II Grammar Workshop Final Draft due

STEP 4: HANDING IN THE FINAL RESEARCHED ESSAY DUE ON APRIL 16, 2014.
When you hand in your final draft of your researched essay in a two-pocket folder and include the following:

A reflective cover letter, reflecting on the path you took to write this essay. In this reflection, focusing on cross-cultural issues, tell me what happened between each draft, points of frustration and how you moved through them, moments of discovery, and how they affected the essay, and relevant feedback from your workgroup. I want to hear everything that I cant see by looking at the final draft. This letter should be at least three-paragraphs (single-spaced) in length.

A clean, proofread professional-looking copy of your final draft.

The paper trail, showing all the relevant steps you took in researching and revising this essay and all the feedback you received on the way (include important freewrites, writing exercises, research notes, and significant drafts that demonstrate your research process and writing process).

A Where To Go From Here two-paragraph reflection (single-spaced) in which you identify two or three writing issues that youd like to work on in your next essay and one or two cross-cultural issues that youd probably consider in your future writing. This reflection should be placed at the end of the packet.

EVALUATION METHOD
Your essay will be graded on both your final product and your research process, using the following criteria.

Final Draft Criteria (75% of final grade):

Central Theme and Content: Central theme is well defined and carried out throughout the essay. Content is clear, focused, and synthesized.

Organization: Organization enhances and showcases the central theme. Ideas are ordered so that they build upon one another and transitions between sentences and paragraphs are smooth.

Sense of Audience: Audience is clearly defined (either implicitly or explicitly). An awareness of audience is carried throughout the essay, as indicated by the defining of unfamiliar terms, anticipation of the readers questions, and sensitivity to all potential members of the audience.

Stylistic Choices: Specific and accurate words are used to convey intended meaning. Language is varied and cliches are avoided. A variety of sentences lengths and constructions are used to add emphasis.

MLA Format: Correct formatting is used throughout the essay, including the heading, page numbers, in-text citations, and Works Cited page.

Research: Source requirements are met. Sources are reliable and academically sound. Research is smoothly incorporated into the texts and works to strengthen the central theme.

Presentation: Essay is professionally presented in terms of relevant title, grammatically clear sentences, consistent verb tenses and correct punctuation and spelling.

Process Criteria (25% of final grade):

Reflective Cover letter: Letter describes and reflects on what happened between each draft, points of frustration and how you moved through them and how they affected the essay, and relevant feedback from your workgroup. Letter contextualizes pieces included in the paper trail and is at least one full page in length.

Paper Trail: The paper trail shows all the relevant steps you took in researching and revising this essay. All the feedback you received during the drafting process is included. All freewrites, writing exercises, research notes, and significant drafts that demonstrate either your research or writing process) is included. All pieces are clearly labeled and organized.

Revision Process: Significant changes are made between drafts which can include significant shifts of focus, perspective, target audience, or structure. Feedback is considered when making revision choices.

Unit 3: The Personal Essay

Description: This essay will allow you to reflect on experience where you entered or encountered a new culture and came away with a new understanding of yourself. Culture will be defined broadly here; one student might write about his/her first bus ride in a foreign country while another student might write about his/her first day of high school and the challenge of fitting into the new culture there. In your essay, youll want to clarify to your audience why this experience was significant. What happened is not enough. Readers will want to know how this experience happened and why it was important to you. To make your change understandable and credible to your readers, youll need to show and possibly explain what you were like BEFORE and AFTER the experience. Keep in mind that we often have more perspective on events that happened in the past than those that just occurred. Here are some questions that may help you begin thinking about possible topics for your essay:

Was there a moment you became aware of the consequences of your gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, or nationality? Did an experience conflict with your communitys views that made you question those views? Did your first semester at a new school expose you to people/views/pressures/unlike those you had experienced before? Did an encounter with a stranger/acquaintance/group ever alter your behavior/view of others??

Keep in mind that you may not discover the significance of the experience until you begin to write, so dont just choose among traumatic or exciting events. Often the best essays are about seemingly inconsequential moments that had meaning for the writer. Remember too that what you initially think was significant about the event may not be what you find ultimately important. Let writing and revision help you parse out the meaning of your experience. Dont forget that a significant event in your life could lead to multiple storiesand for the purposes of this essay, you only want to tell one of them. For this essay, you will write for an audience of peers sympathetic to but not knowledgeable about your experience. Youll want to employ the narrative devices that make a story engaging, ensuring that you make this essay interesting to more than those who know you. Determine the structure most effective for telling your story, and most of all, clarify why this experience was significant to your development, understanding, or view of the world around you. Your style for this essay will be less formal than for your other two essays; you can use humor if appropriate for the subject matter and audience. Format: Your essay should be typed, printed in dark ink, and double-spaced with one-inch margins. Place your name, date, and my name in the upper left-hand corner of the first page. Double space and then center your title, which should be neither underlined nor quoted. Double space again and begin typing your essay, numbering all the pages. Fasten the pages with a staple.

In a simple file folder, include the following:

Your final essay, which should be 4-6 pages (only go over by a paragraph or two) The afterthought (1-3 paragraphs)on a separate page or few spaces after the end of the essayreflecting on the changes youve made from draft to draft and discussing the process of writing your essay (why you made the decisions you did, which peer advice you followed and did not and why, what worked and didnt as you revised, etc.) Rough drafts Workshop worksheets (by your classmates about your work) Peer letters (by your classmates about your work)