mel-u@mail.utexas.edu
Follow this model precisely when writing your paper. Be sure to cover the same topics in roughly the same order, and be sure to do analysis (rather than description) in the body paragraphs.
Remember that you are NOT arguing about whether or not you agree with the author; you are simply analyzing his/her use of rhetorical tools and strategies!!!
Content |
Function |
| §1 (Intro) - Background and Summary of the text (does/says model, Ch1 WA) | Intro/Description |
| §1 (Intro) - Thesis statement | Intro/Thesis |
| § 2 - Argument's Purpose: Reasons to Argue plus the more specific motivation of this particular author. | Analysis: Reasons to Argue |
| § 3 -Lines of Argument. Analyze the author’s use of lines of argument on a paragraph-by paragraph basis, and report in your essay which lines the author uses the most. Be sure to say what kind of pathos the author uses, and how he/she builds ethos, &c. | Analysis: Lines of Argument |
| § 4 - Discuss Language (Tone, Word Choice, Diction). To what sort of Audience does the author seem to be writing? | Analysis/Description: Tone/Audience |
| § 5 - Logical Fallacies - Even if you approve of the argument, you should acknowledge its weaknesses and try to anticipate how opponents might attack it. If you want to defend the text, write a rebuttal based on the logical fallacies. | Analysis: Logical Fallacies |
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§ 6 - Sum up your work by concluding whether or not the piece does what it attempts to do for the audience for whom it is intended. In other words, is it persuasive? This should take into account all the info you discussed above. |
Evaluation/Conclusion |
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Note: § means "section". Each section is usually 1 paragraph long; however, they may sometimes require 2+ paragraphs. The Lines of Argument § in particular, may require 2-3 paragraphs (see my sample paper). Remember that a paragraph is 4-8 sentences. |
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Your paper should be 3-4 pages long.
12-pt font
double-spaced
All references used must be listed in a Works Cited page in MLA format
Xeroxes or printouts of all sources used (except the original letters)
All assertions must be backed up by evidence from the text.
Submit all assignments to the Teacher Folder (except, of course, xeroxes)