Effective uses of language in a particular situation
Rhetoric deals with the effective uses of language in a particular situation. In other words, rhetoric deals with how writers write, how speakers speak, how designers design, and so on. Therefore, having rhetorical awareness and understanding argument will help in considering purpose for writing, considering audience, and the most effective means for persuading others to consider your perspective.
Post any questions about this assignment in the discussion section below.
Complete both parts of this assignment, as Part 1 helps you to reflect on how an author made his or her argument; Part 2 will help you think about how to make your own argument. Submit both parts as one MS Word document. Points will be deducted if you submit two documents.
==== Part 1 ==== Analyze one of the three essays you were assigned to read this week
Analyze the idea of argument in an academic setting by reviewing the following section, “Understanding Proofs and Appeals” on p. 38 of Ch. 3 of An Insider’s Guide to Academic Writing.
Reflect on what the text says about appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. Begin to think critically about how you can use these appeals in your writing.
Review this week’s essays and select one to review from this list:
• “The Myth of the Helicopter Parent”
• “The Strategies of Forbidden Love: Family across Racial Boundaries”
• “Women and Men in Love: Who Really Feels It and Says It First?”
Write a brief 350-word analysis identifying how the author presented his or her argument. Include the following in your analysis:
• Introduce article and briefly outline what the article is about. (50 words)
• List the article title in quotation marks one time in the introduction.
For example:
In “The Myth of the Helicopter Parent,” S.K. Whitborne (2016) discusses….
• Refer to author(s) by last name after the first mention, not to the article title. For example:
Whitborne continues…
• What appeals does the author use–ethos logos, pathos? Give examples. (200 words)
• Discuss whether the author did a good job of proving his/her argument. (100 words)
• Avoid stating your personal opinions about the topic or enjoyment of the article.
• Write in third person (Don’t use “I” or “you.”)
• Remember to cite page numbers for any direct quotations from the article.
Do not copy and paste from the article wihout using quotation marks and a page number citation.
See recommended activities for how to cite materials from the textbook. See also in the recommended activites how to cite articles from the textbook.
==== Part 2 ==== Choose your topic for your final paper.
To prepare for your final paper assignment in this course, you will be turning in weekly assignments to help you submit one final paper in
Week 5.
Review the Argumentative Essay Instructions for a review of each week’s deliverables.
Select a topic from the following list or ask your instructor for approval on a topic of your choice that argues your personal position on a controversial topic you think is worthy of public debate. The topic must be current, part of an ongoing debate, or a relatively new, unknown topic you think deserves more attention. Here are some examples:
• Gender-based income gap
• The impact of disposable products and packaging in the marketplace and on the environment
• The role of media in shaping public opinion
• Homeschooling
• Body cameras worn on police officers
• Legality of medical marijuana
• A topic of your choice approved before this assignment is due
Write a 350-word paper in which you describe the rationale for choosing your topic and how you will make your argument. Include the following in your paper:
• What types of appeals will you make to argue your position (logic, emotion, authority)?
• What structure will you use (emphatic, spatial, cause/effect, chronological, process analysis)?
• What other basic elements of an argument will you use?
• What is an example of an argument you can make for your paper, and identify the claims, evidence, counterargument, and rebuttal you can use?
Review both parts for effective use of basic English grammar, word usage, and sentence style before turning in your paper.
Format your assignment according to appropriate course level APA guidelines. See CWE tutorials and guides on the library tab for help with APA. There is a MS Word template and Riverpoint writer, as well as a sample paper with annotations.
Submit your paper to the Assignment Files tab.
Materials
• An Insider’s Guide to Academic Writing, Ch. 2
• An Insider’s Guide to Academic Writing, Ch. 3
• An Insider’s Guide to Academic Writing, EssaysWeek 1 Grading Rubric Argument Analysis and Topic Selection Rationale
Part 1: 350-word analysis of article includes
• Introduction and brief outline of content
• Type of appeals used with examples:
ethos, logos, pathos
• Evaluation of effectiveness of article regardless of your opinion on the subject matter
• Article is cited in the text (author last name, year, and for quotes, with page number) and at the end of the essay with a reference citation.
word count
Part 2: 350-word rationale for choosing your Week 5 paper topic includes
• Types of appeals
• Basic elements of an argument you will use
• Example of an argument you can make
• Identification of claim, evidence, counterargument and rebuttal you can use
word count
Mechanics: 2 Points 2 Points
Grammar, usage, and punctuation are correct.
Sentences are complete, clear, concise, and varied.
Spelling is correct.
