1102 Honors Essay 1: Source Analysis/Evaluation and Argument

For this unit you’ll conduct research on an argumentative topic approved by me. Then you’ll choose 2 articles you found during your research and write an essay in which you first analyze/evaluate these articles, and then further argue your own point of view on the topic.

Steps:

1. Propose a topic to me through email by the date/time indicated on the schedule
2. Conduct research and compile an Annotated Bibliography of possible articles to analyze/evaluate, due on the date the schedule indicates (details to come)
3. Draft the essay as specified
4. Add more sources and consider adding other types of sources to the argument part of the essay—maybe even some primary sources such as song lyrics, visuals, interviews, surveys, etc.
5. Go through Peer Workshop, Revising activities, etc., as indicated on the schedule
6. Turn in paper packet including source copies at the beginning of class on the due date. Electronic final draft only to TurnItIn.Com by 11:59 pm.

The Analysis/Evaluation Section of the Essay

For each of the 2 articles you choose to focus on, first summarize what the writer says about the topic and then respond/evaluate. Do you agree or disagree? How so? Do you see problems with the author’s position? Or do you see strengths? Do you see additional evidence that you could give in support of the writer’s arguments? Or did the writer miss something important? Argue with or against the article (or a mix). This part focuses on the two articles and your immediate response/arguments specifically about what they say.

The Argument Section of the Essay

This is where you get to take your own arguments further, delve further into the topic, add more sources to back you up, more explanation, more practical application, etc. This is where you add more sources and possibly some primary sources.

Specifications for the Essay

• The essay must be a minimum of six pages of text. This is a minimum. Get what I mean? And for my purposes, that means the text of the essay must “go on to” the sixth page.

• The essay must use a minimum of six sources, which includes the 2 articles you focus on in the Analysis/Evaluation part. This is also a minimum, though. The essay should include enough sources to accomplish what it needs to accomplish.

• Consider including primary research as well: interviews, surveys, data from observation, etc., that you conduct yourself. Also, song lyrics, poetry, or other primary sources that add to your essay. Primary research is not required but might make a valuable contribution to the essay’s effectiveness.

• Go beyond surface-level thinking. Answer the “so what?” question. Get to meaning, significance, connections, consequences, causes, solutions, or whatever would be appropriate for your topic and for how you’ve decided to narrow the topic (your angle).

• Remember and follow all the rules for correct quoting, paraphrasing, documentation and citing of sources (see Writer’s Reference).

• Include a Works Cited page that includes bibliographical information for each work you reference in your essay.

• Use MLA style to document/cite works in the text of your essay and on your Works Cited page (see Writer’s Reference).

• Include in the essay packet source copies of all “outside” written sources (outside our textbook). I must have these to check your quoting and paraphrasing, etc., and I cannot grade the essay without them.

• Use a binder clip to fasten all the material together in this order: Letter to the Reader on top, then final copy with its Works Cited page. Next will be the source copies, peer workshop drafts, other drafts, and planning. This is what I’m calling the “Paper Packet”

• Paper Packet is due at the beginning of class on the due date. Electronic copy is due to TurnItIn.Com by midnight on that date.