Critical Analysis
Journal #1
Select one of the readings mentioned in the syllabus for the Critical Analysis essay. What is one point the author works to prove in the essay you are analyzing? What does he say to prove his point? Does he use facts, evidence, statistics, graphs, deductive or inductive logic, emotion, satire? (See Chap. 3 of Current Issues or Critical Thinking.) Now make a critical statement: If the author uses facts, does he or she use facts in such a way that he or she convinces his or her audience the author is right? If statistics are used, are they relevant statistics; do they help show the validity of the author’s argument? If deductive logic is used, show that logic and then explain how it does or does not clarify the writer’s argument.
Directions Journal #2
Select 3 related quotations from your chosen essay, which strongly illustrate 3 aspects of its major argument(s). [You do not have to use this same essay or these same quotations in your Critical Analysis essay. However, you may use the same ones if you so desire.]
Interpret each of the quotations, i.e., explain their meaning to your reader. In other words tell us what the quotations mean to you (without saying I). Write about 200 words. Answer in paragraph form.
Make a critical statement explaining what element from ch. 3 the author is using to make her or his point and whether the use of that fact or statistic or authoritative testimony is convincing to the author’s audience.
Format for your response:
Essay title: _______
Author: __________
Quotation #1: "xxx" (787, par. 14)
Interpretation: This means that . . .
Critical Statement: Here ___ is using deductive logic when she says that ____ leads to ____. She is convincing because her statement is completely logical.
Quotation #2: "xxx" (789, par. 30)
Interpretation: Here the author is telling her readers that . . .
Critical Statement: Here ___ is using ___ . . . She/he is/is not convincing
Select one of the readings mentioned in the syllabus for the Critical Analysis essay. What is one point the author works to prove in the essay you are analyzing? What does he say to prove his point? Does he use facts, evidence, statistics, graphs, deductive or inductive logic, emotion, satire? (See Chap. 3 of Current Issues or Critical Thinking.) Now make a critical statement: If the author uses facts, does he or she use facts in such a way that he or she convinces his or her audience the author is right? If statistics are used, are they relevant statistics; do they help show the validity of the author’s argument? If deductive logic is used, show that logic and then explain how it does or does not clarify the writer’s argument.
Directions Journal #2
Select 3 related quotations from your chosen essay, which strongly illustrate 3 aspects of its major argument(s). [You do not have to use this same essay or these same quotations in your Critical Analysis essay. However, you may use the same ones if you so desire.]
Interpret each of the quotations, i.e., explain their meaning to your reader. In other words tell us what the quotations mean to you (without saying I). Write about 200 words. Answer in paragraph form.
Make a critical statement explaining what element from ch. 3 the author is using to make her or his point and whether the use of that fact or statistic or authoritative testimony is convincing to the author’s audience.
Format for your response:
Essay title: _______
Author: __________
Quotation #1: "xxx" (787, par. 14)
Interpretation: This means that . . .
Critical Statement: Here ___ is using deductive logic when she says that ____ leads to ____. She is convincing because her statement is completely logical.
Quotation #2: "xxx" (789, par. 30)
Interpretation: Here the author is telling her readers that . . .
Critical Statement: Here ___ is using ___ . . . She/he is/is not convincing