Reference no: EM132204105 , Length: word count:1200

Essay - Critical Response to a Topic with Two Sources

ASSIGNMENT: In Essay 2, you analyzed the rhetorical strategies of an article we'd read for class. In Essay 3 you will use some of the rhetorical strategies we have discussed to construct a focused, well-reasoned, and developed response to one of the topics listed below. This essay should present and argue your point, rather than summarize the ideas of another writer. However, in support of your argument, your essay will integrate one of the sources/articles we have read from our course textbook and two other articles or sources that you have found [through our library database or an approved news source] that I've approved as a reputable source of information (reputable sources do not include Wikipedia, Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, Blogs, etc)

Once you've decided on your topic and the article from our text that you will reference, you should begin answering the following questions:

A. What argumentative techniques will you use to convince your reader? Techniques may include rational appeals [cause and effect, logical connections, established facts from credible authorities], emotional appeals [experiences referenced in an objective and well-balanced tone], and reasonable evidence [illustrations, examples, compare and contrast].

B. What warrants (unstated but assumed beliefs or principles) exist between the claims you are making and the supporting evidence?

C. Evidence: is the evidence you provide typical and representative, relevant, specific and detailed, accurate and reliable, and sufficient?

D. Do you acknowledge, present, and respectfully deal with opposing viewpoints?

Pay close attention to the following elements as you build your argument and revise your essay:

1. Language: what words and sentence structures are you using to convince a reader of your main point? Is you argument rational, clear, and well-supported?

2. Structure: What is your plan for presenting your argument? Will you use definition, classification and division, or comparison and contrast to organize the essay?

ABOVE ALL, make sure you are aware of your essay's "rhetorical situation" or context: your identity, the audience, and the context [in this case, an academic audience] for your argument.