Assignment: Analysis of Two Sources

For your first major assignment, you will write a thesis-driven rhetorical analysis of two texts or sources, related to your semester topic on a social, environmental, or local issue. You need to look specifically at texts that directly address a contemporary ethical problem or question related to your issue of choice. This involves researching and finding articles in the library or online on your topic.

Ideally, you should choose two texts that offer two different views on your topic. Remember, they need to be making an argument about the topic.

For guidance in writing your essay, consult the critical reading and responding strategies outlined in Chapters 1 and 2 of RRW.

A successful essay will:

1. Bring readers into the context of the reading. In what larger conversation is the author participating? What ethical problems or questions appear in this text? Why are they important? What's at stake? Introduce the text to the reader, briefly summarize its main idea, and make a claim (thesis) for each author's rhetorical strategies. A strong claim is both contestable - reasonable people might disagree - and predictive - it will set up expectations for your reader.

2. Develop your main points around specific rhetorical strategies. Consider how the author constructs the argument, not whether or not you agree. Analysis relies on objective judgments. Remember also that rhetoric encompasses any tools available for persuasion. For example, would it be useful to talk about the argument in terms of ethos, logos, and/or pathos? Or on purpose, audience, and/or genre?

3. Support your main points with concrete examples (evidence) from the text. To develop and support your own points, you will need to include specific examples in the form of paraphrase or short direct quotations.

Formatting Specifications and Due Date:

• MLA formatting with 12 point font (preferably Times New Roman)
• Provide a works cited page for the sources researched (there should only be two sources)
• 5 to 6 pages (excluding the works cited page)
• Paper is due on Monday, October 3rd by 11PM

Organization and Structure of Paper:

The paper should be organized in the following manner:

• Introduction - Introduce each source title and author, along with providing the author's claim (thesis)

• Body of paper - Provide the rhetorical analysis of each author's main ideas, along with how the author constructs an argument for his text. Do this by specifying the components you will use to analyze the text (ethos, pathos, logos, claim, grounds, warrant, etc.)

• Conclusion - Recap the main ideas from your analysis.