ESSAY #3– ANALYZING ARGUMENTS
Rough Draft due: 5/1/13
Final Essay due: 5/8/13
1. Read one (1) of the following articles from Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing: A Brief Guide to Argument:
• Chapter 5, P. 205- 216, Animal Liberation
OR
• Chapter 10, P. 414-423, Lifeboat Ethics: The Case against Helping the Poor
2. Submit a printed copy or email rough draft on the required due date (NO late submissions accepted) to show that you have chosen one of the assigned articles and have begun to consider ideas and organization for your final essay. The rough draft will enable you to receive comments for improving your essay and is worth 12% of your final essay grade.
3. Submit on the due date a printed copy of your final essay written in Microsoft Word in 12-point font size, double-spaced, and 3 to 5 pages in length. Identify, analyze, and evaluate the argument by following the scoring outline below to insure your essay is complete. Use MLA formatting if using direct quotes which should include the author’s last name and page number in parentheses (See CT, P. 292). Also, include a reference of the article at the end of your paper (See CT, P. 301- Essay in a Collection). Proofread for mistakes.
4. You must also submit your final essay online for a Turnitin plagiarism check through Blackboard- Assignments- Essay 3 (View/Complete). Upload your file and click SUBMIT. You will see 1 point in Blackboard - Tools under My Grades as an acknowledgement only and is not your essay grade.
Essay #3 Scoring Outline
Content 18 points
1. Identification of Argument- State the issue then give the author’s premise (thesis) and conclusion. (3 points)
2. Analysis of Argument:
• Evidence- Summarize justification for argument. (3 points)
• Unstated Assumptions- Discuss author’s implications. (3 points)
• Concessions- State opposing viewpoints presented with author’s refutation. (3 points)
3. Evaluation of Argument:
• Credibility of Writer- Is the author knowledgeable and trusted on the topic? (3 points)
• Effectiveness of Argument- Does the author give sufficient and relevant evidence to be convincing? Objectively critique the author’s writing, but do NOT give your opinion of the issue. (3 points)
Organization 12 points
• Introduction- Include a hook and state the selected article (3 points)
• Thesis Statement- Main idea of the essay clearly stated in the introduction (3 points)
• Body- Well organized to cover Content subjects as listed above (3 points)
• Conclusion- Restate thesis and clearly end essay (3 points)
Clarity with minimal grammar and spelling errors 5 points
Rough Draft submitted on due date 5 points
TOTAL SCORE 40 POINTS