This
was the instruction.
HOW TO WRITE YOUR TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
1. What is this
author trying to say/do in this article? 2. Does he or she effectively meet that goal?
3. How does he or she achieve that goal? Using what techniques?
Are those techniques individually effective?
write your analysis after carefully reading and considering the text. You
could easily break your analysis into five steps. Each step will require
careful use of close reading skills, as well as quoting, paraphrasing, and
summarizing in order to convey your point.
• Introduce/Situate: give background on the
article, enough so that a general reader can understand your thesis; also
introduce your thesis and give a road map for how you will conduct your
analysis or organize your paper.
• Summarize: briefly (in a paragraph or two)
cover the author's main points and his or her purpose for writing; you don't
want to spend to long summarizing your writer's points, but since you're
writing for a general audience, you must cover the basics
• Assess/Evaluate: evaluate how effectively the
writer made his or her points; here you start your analysis by not only laying
out the effective techniques the writer used, but also the ineffective
techniques or flaws such as bandwagon, red herring or false cause in his or her writing; support
your reasoning behind the techniques’ efficacy with clear examples and logic.
• Respond: BRIEFLY respond to the writer's
views—with which do you agree? Disagree? Provide support for your opinions and
tie your reasons back to assumptions—both the writer's and your own.
• Conclude: make some statement about the overall
validity of the writing—was the writer successful in achieving his or her
purpose? Why or why not?
You do not need to do any outside research to complete this assignment.
This assignment will, instead, depend on your understanding of the text and its
argument's effectiveness. This is not a content-based argument (one in which
you say how you agree or disagree with the writer based on his or her knowledge
of a subject or beliefs). This is an argument-based argument, in which you are
evaluating arguments, not responding to opinions. Rather than stating your
expertise on the topics, think about what the author assumed or left out of his
or her argument.
TIPS WHEN WRITING:
• Use the first person. Though it depends upon
careful reading and logical thinking, this type of analysis is an expression of
your personal opinion or experience and reflects your beliefs; you're
responding to the arguments in the text: whether you find the writing
techniques effective depends on you and your personal opinion. Using the first
person is absolutely acceptable.
• Show, don't tell. One of the biggest pitfalls
of textual analysis is confusing summary with analysis. Don't just tell the
reader what the article's writer said; instead, show how the techniques make
the argument more or less persuasive. Using specific examples and your own
reactions to the text will be your best bet here.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
All drafts must be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman (or equivalent)
12-point font. You should follow MLA guidelines for your paper header, and
placement of your page numbers, as well as any citations.
GRADING
I will grade this assignment based on my general essay grading guidelines (see
syllabus or Wiki for more information). You will be specifically evaluated on
how well you met the following goals, included the following content, or
mastered the following skills:
• Ability to compose a critique/critical reading of a passage
• Ability to formulate an interesting and convincing argument
• Ability to use deductive reasoning to defend argument
• Ability to write summary, and paraphrase, and accurately integrate quotations into essay
Content
• Reflects clear understanding of the chosen audience, form of writing, and purpose
• Demonstrates ability to select evidence appropriate for the audience
• Demonstrates ability to write in a voice and form appropriate for the audience
• Demonstrates ability to address opposing viewpoints through counterargument
• Demonstrates ability to smoothly integrate quotations, paraphrase, and summary
• Demonstrates ability to craft a clearly worded thesis that establishes a persuasive argument
• Body of writing successfully defends thesis
• Contains an engaging introduction and conclusion
Writing Skills
• Demonstrates significant revision based on peer comments on draft
• Writer complies with the rules of Standard Written English
• Paragraphs are well-developed and tightly focused
• Writer uses a variety of sentence structures and lengths
• Writer uses a variety of techniques to convey a personal style and voice
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