An Account of an ArgumentThis paper asks you to identify an arguments claim and reason. You will also need to explain the general context for the argument, the authors purpose and audience and how you have been able to determine the context/audience/purpose based on clues from inside and outside of the text. It also asks you to describe the authors (4) supporting evidence and (5) overall structure, and finally, evaluate the argument in terms of its purpose and audience.Successful essays will include:
1. An introductory section that provides all the information the audience will need to understand your argument. This includes the topic of the writing project and your argument claim and reason about the authors use of evidence and organization.2. A statement of the claim/reason of Can Political Rhetoric Be Too Civil?3. A discussion of the general context, authors purpose and authors audience, supported by evidence from inside or outside of the text4. A description and evaluation of supporting evidence.A. Do you find facts and evidence in the argument? Direct observation? Statistics? Interviews? Surveys? Primary sources such as eyewitness accounts? Secondary sources such as published research? Quotations from authorities? Hypothetical situations? Analogy? Allusion? Personal Experience?
5. A description and evaluation of the organizing structure. To evaluate the articles structure, you may want to ask yourself these questions:A. Is the information presented in a logical order? Does the author use chronological order, cause/effect, problem/solution, general to specific, or other ways of organizing information? Do those structures help make the argument more persuasive?6. A conclusion that clarifies whether you believe the author has written an effective argument based on the evidence and organization he chose to convince his audience of his purpose.Outline due in class: Tuesday, September 27
In-class writing: Thursday, September 29
Revised essay is due one week after your in-class writing is returned. Revised length 4 pages.