Reference no: EM133775431
Assignment: Rhetorical Writing Strategy ESSAY
Analyze the ways in which two or more texts form a context-historical, social, intellectual, generic, political, technological, etc.-for an author's argument. How does this context shape the author's choices of rhetorical strategies, and how do those strategies contribute to the author's appeals using ethos, pathos, or logos? Evaluate the extent to which you anticipate the author's argument would be persuasive in this particular context.
"Success Isn't about You. It's about Us." This declaration is the title of Albert-Lázló Barabási's introduction to The Formula: the Universal Laws of Success (2018). Barabási insists that he has uncovered "The Laws of Success" that "have governed our lives and careers as immutably as gravity through the centuries, and yet, until recently, we did not know they existed" (34). Furthermore, in his conclusion, Barabási promises that "We can . . . use our awareness of the mechanisms behind success to create a more equitable society" (255). So,
. . .
in your essay for Module 1, you will identify elements of Barabási's argument (main claim, purpose, evidence), and intended audience using evidence from his introduction and conclusion. Next, describe one of the author's dependent claims and discuss its development and support for ways in which this evidence effectively persuades his intended reader. Clearly identify one assumption underlying the portion of the argument you emphasize. You will later introduce Jorgelina Manna-Rae's interview (2024) discussing the contemporary work of psychiatrists, Dr. Pooja Lakshmin and Dr. Kali Cyrus, to contrast the contexts in with they are working with the context in which Barabási has been working. Examine this context for how it reveals or muddles the concept of success used by Barabási. How effective might Barabási's argument be in the context of Lakshmin and Cyrus? Finally, conclude your essay with a short discussion of how well Barabási persuades you personally, as a young reader in your own context. What evidence do you find most effective? How might Barabási revise his argument to enhance its persuasive appeal in this contemporary context.
Successful papers will accomplish the following tasks in any academically acceptable essay:
A. Describe for a reader unfamiliar with these texts the common issue, beginning your introduction with a brief discussion of the larger topic of "success and/or stress" (i.e., do not begin your very first sentence with "Albert-Lázló Barabási argues...").
B. Provide a brief introduction to Barabási, clearly identifying the main focus of his Introduction and Conclusion. Also introduce Manna-Rae (with Lakshmin and Cyrus) briefly if it works coherently. End your introduction with a clear thesis/main claim to set up your analysis and indirectly establish a connection to Lakshmin/Cyrus if possible.
C. In one paragraph, identify key elements of Barabási's argument, addressing the following tasks in an appropriate order without simply scripting a list of sentences:
a. Give a brief sketch of the author's argument, emphasizing the authors' perspective on the topic. Clearly identify his project, main claim, and purpose.
b. Clearly describe Barabási's intended reader, using evidence from the text.
c. Briefly describe how Barabási organizes his Introduction and explain how this structure builds his argument.
D. In two to three substantial paragraphs, analyze and evaluate one dependent claim in one-two section(s) of his essay, addressing the following tasks in an appropriate order [use Barbasi Argument Chart Introduction]:
a. Paraphrase or directly quote the dependent claim you will analyze.
b. Describe the type of evidence and developmental strategies you see supporting the claim.
c. If you notice an assumption, discuss how it relates to this dependent claim and evidence.
d. Discuss how the dependent claim and evidence you extend to or cover reveals elements of the context in which Barabási is writing.
e. Explain how this context shapes Barabási's choices of rhetorical strategies, and how do those strategies contribute to the author's appeals with ethos, pathos, or logos? How does this further the main claim and connect with the reader.
f. What might the reader think and/or feel like doing when processing the claim and support?
E. Evaluate the degree to which you find the claim/support effective in persuading his intended reader.
F. In one paragraph, briefly introduce Manna-Rae's interview and highlight relevant two claims or assertions made by Dr. Lakshmin and/or Kali Cyrus if you had not done this in your introduction, and describe their underlying assumption(s) related to success in mainstream America. Follow this with a substantial discussion of their context(s).
G. Contrast the context(s) of Lakshmin/Cyrus with that of Barabási and evaluate the extent to which you anticipate that Barabási's argument would be persuasive in this Lakshmin/Cyrus context you describe. Based directly on your analysis in your essay, discuss how your evaluation of the effectiveness of Barabási's argument changes for your own context as his reader. What do you find persuasive in the portion of the argument that you analyzed? How might Barabási update his argument to persuade you more effectively? How is your response influenced by your ability to evaluate Barabási in the Lakshmin/Cyrus context? In other words, how does this fit with Barabási's promise that his laws can serve as tools "to create a more equitable society" (255).
H. Write the paper for readers (SDSU freshmen) unfamiliar with the two sources.
I. Be mindful of your verb choices for rhetorical power.
J. Be careful with your wording for accessing the ideas of Lakshmin and Cyrus.
K. Use an effective structure that carefully guides your reader from one idea to the next, and thoroughly edit your paper so that sentences and vocabulary are readable and appropriate for your SDSU freshman academic audience.
L. Support your analysis with direct evidence from the text. When you make an analytical claim, back it up with directly quoted textual evidence and supporting examples integrated into your sentences. No chunky quotes. Avoid unsubstantiated claims and vague references to the texts. Cite the paragraph number for quotations and paraphrased material, e.g.: (32) or (par. 32), specifying the authors only when needed for clarity-e.g.: (Barabási 32).