Reference no: EM13268377

Since most academic writing puts forth an argument, being able to read arguments critically and analyze them-see what their individual parts are and how those parts work together as a whole-is an essential part of joining in an academic conversation. You need to be able to think critically about someone else's ideas and how those ideas have been presented before you can respond to them.

For your first essay this semester, you'll analyze a persuasive text. Whenever you analyze a text, be sure to read the text very carefully (probably several times), write notes to yourself as you read, and think carefully about both the ideas in the text and how the author presents those ideas.

Remember that your essay needs to present your ideas about the text as a piece of persuasive writing. It cannot be simply a summary of the text (though some summary will be helpful for your readers). Nor should it respond to the issues raised in the text. Your essay must provide your analysis of the text: how it works as a piece of persuasive writing.

Specifically, consider:

• Who is the author of the text?

• What conversation surrounds the issue being addressed?

• What medium has been chosen to present the argument?

• Who is the audience being addressed?

• What's the purpose of the text?

Then consider how the author makes use of the specific strategies we have discussed:

• What kind of support does the author present? Reasons? Evidence (studies, statistics, etc.)? Authorities? Are they persuasive?

• How does the author use figurative language: metaphor, simile, analogy? To what effect?

• How does the author use narrative? What effect does it have?

• How does the author use style-diction, sentence structure, punctuation? To what effect?

• How does the author project him or herself? Fair and open-minded? Well-informed?

• What seems to be the relationship between the author and her audience? How do you know?

• Which values does the author seem appeal to? Are these appeals valid? Relevant?