English 101

This assignment asks you to analyze and critique of the writing in the works you have read so far. How do these texts extend, complicate, or challenge your ideas about academic writing?

Provide a coherent discussion of your current conception of what constitutes academic writing.

In Assignment 1.5 “Evolving Understanding” you chose specific questions or concepts which challenged your view of academic writing. Explore one or two of those concepts and explain how your view of academic writing has changed – or not.

Please note that you are not debating the authors’ arguments or the issues in this essay. For example, the focus of your essay should not be to agree or disagree with Levy’s position on the state of feminism in today’s society; instead, focus on what the writer is doing to develop and support her argument effectively, or ineffectively, as the case may be. Discussing the content in order to set context for the reader is good, but do not neglect the purpose of this assignment which is to provide an analysis of writing itself.

English 101
Essay #2 Argument Analysis: Passing, Cultural Appropriation, and Identity Threat.

Background: In the last few class sessions we have discussed the case of Rachel Dolezal, a white woman, who has passed as black for the last four years—even holding a leadership position at the Spokane, WA chapter of the NAACP. We carefully reviewed the argument of Chauncey Devega, writer for Salon, who finds deep problems with Dolezal’s deceptions. And independently, you have reviewed other sources by African-Americans who have come to her defense, making a case that indignation is an inappropriate response.

At the same time, we have started to analyze the argument process, pointing out when writers and speakers are using logic, audience appeal (emotion), and/or their own credibility (or lack thereof) to persuade their audience’s views.

Task: Comparing two sources on the Dolezal situation (one needs to be Devega’s article), argue which one is the most persuasive. Use your analysis worksheet to evaluate the arguments.

Details: Write 4-6 pages (1100-1500 words), MLA format, in-text citations, works cited page, and include a cover letter. Highlight vocabulary words from the sources.

At the same time, we have started to analyze the argument process, pointing out when writers and speakers are using logic, audience appeal (emotion), and/or their own credibility (or lack thereof) to persuade their audience’s views.

Task: Comparing two sources on the Dolezal situation (one needs to be Devega’s article), argue which one is the most persuasive. Use your analysis worksheet to evaluate the arguments.

Details: Write 4-6 pages (1100-1500 words), MLA format, in-text citations, works cited page, and include a cover letter. Highlight vocabulary words from the sources.

English 101
Essay #2 Argument Analysis: Passing, Cultural Appropriation, and Identity Threat.

Background: In the last few class sessions we have discussed the case of Rachel Dolezal, a white woman, who has passed as black for the last four years—even holding a leadership position at the Spokane, WA chapter of the NAACP. We carefully reviewed the argument of Chauncey Devega, writer for Salon, who finds deep problems with Dolezal’s deceptions. And independently, you have reviewed other sources by African-Americans who have come to her defense, making a case that indignation is an inappropriate response.

At the same time, we have started to analyze the argument process, pointing out when writers and speakers are using logic, audience appeal (emotion), and/or their own credibility (or lack thereof) to persuade their audience’s views.

Task: Comparing two sources on the Dolezal situation (one needs to be Devega’s article), argue which one is the most persuasive. Use your analysis worksheet to evaluate the arguments.

Details: Write 4-6 pages (1100-1500 words), MLA format, in-text citations, works cited page, and include a cover letter. Highlight vocabulary words from the sources.

At the same time, we have started to analyze the argument process, pointing out when writers and speakers are using logic, audience appeal (emotion), and/or their own credibility (or lack thereof) to persuade their audience’s views.

Task: Comparing two sources on the Dolezal situation (one needs to be Devega’s article), argue which one is the most persuasive. Use your analysis worksheet to evaluate the arguments.

Details: Write 4-6 pages (1100-1500 words), MLA format, in-text citations, works cited page, and include a cover letter. Highlight vocabulary words from the sources.