How to write a textual analysis essay

Textual Analysis Assignment & Instructions

I. Instructions & Requirements A. Assignment:

Find a persuasive article on an important contemporary topic in one of the following ACC library databases: CQ Researcher, Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints, TOPICsearch, or JSTOR. Write an essay of at least 750 words in which you analyze the article's main ideas and writing strategies. Underline your thesis statement. Your essay must demonstrate critical thinking and be written coherently, observing grammatical, mechanical, and stylistic conventions. Your paper must include at least one paragraph on each of the following:

Summary (one paragraph)

Identify the author and the title of the essay, and then provide a brief summary of the essay’s key ideas. What are

the author’s primary and secondary argumentative claims? Conclude with your THESIS, which must be written as one sentence. Your thesis will have two parts:

• A statement of the essay’s main point

• A claim regarding the essay’s effectiveness as a persuasive essay

Analysis (more than one paragraph) Discuss how the author supports his or her argumentative claims through any of the following types of appeals:

• Logos: Appeal based on logic. Discuss the essay’s process of reasoning. Identify the types of evidence presented in support of the essay’s claims, and give examples (e.g. personal experience, facts & statistics,

expert testimony, anecdotal evidence, examples from history or current events, etc.).

• Pathos: Appeal based on emotion. Discuss how the essay appeals to readers’ emotions (needs, fears, feelings, beliefs/values, and sympathies).

• Ethos: Appeal based on author’s character/credibility. Consider his or her word choice, selection of evidence, presentation of credentials or personal experience, presentation of opposing viewpoints, etc.

Discuss the patterns of development used by the author in constructing the essay’s argument (e.g. cause &

effect, comparison/contrast, classification, definition, description, illustration through examples, narration, process analysis), and give examples.

Evaluation

Utilizing the information presented in the analysis, construct a detailed evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses

of the essay as a persuasive argument aimed at a specific audience. In assessing the effectiveness of the essay, be sure to discuss

• Reasonable arguments • Emotional appeals

• Author’s credibility

• Any other persuasive techniques used (i.e. imagery, tone, characterization, symbolism, allegory, anecdotes, metaphors, similes, descriptive details, figures of speech, diction, etc.). Refer to

“Persuasive Techniques” in this document.

** Bold Italics - Changed or are not present on the Departmental Exam instructions. **

https://library.austincc.edu/eresources/AtoZ.php
https://login.lsproxy.austincc.edu/login?url=http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher
https://login.lsproxy.austincc.edu/login?url=http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher
https://login.lsproxy.austincc.edu/login?url=https://infotrac.gale.com/itweb/txshracd2487?db=OVIC
https://login.lsproxy.austincc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.asp?profile=web&defaultdb=tth
https://login.lsproxy.austincc.edu/login?url=http://www.jstor.org/
Textual Analysis Essay

B. How to Submit: 1. Submit PDF document via Blackboard assignment page. 2. No emailed papers will be accepted. 3. No other file types will be accepted.

C. Due Date: 5 April 2020 @ 11:55 pm

D. Length: 1. 750 words minimum (3-5 pages + Works Cited) 2. The “Works Cited” page, heading, and other paraphernalia are not included in word count.

E. Sources: 1. Use MLA 8 (2016) to document your primary source, which is the article you are analyzing. 2. No secondary sources are required or allowed for this essay. 3. Include a "Works Cited" page as the separate and last page of your essay.

F. Documentation: 1. Document all quotations, paraphrases, details, and information taken from your primary source. 2. Cite each use of source material with a properly formatted MLA works-cited entry and an appropriate MLA in-

text citation. 3. For MLA Documentation information, reference the The Norton Sampler Appendix, MLA Handbook (8th

edition with 2016 update), or the Owl at Purdue website at the following link: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/ research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html

G. Document Type: 1. PDF - Save your essay as a PDF document. 2. No other document types will be accepted!!

H. Outline: 1. An essay outline is suggested but not required. 2. For outline structure, consult the essay outline included in this document. 3. For additional outline information, consult the Owl at Purdue at the following link: https://owl.purdue.edu/

owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_outline/types_of_outlines.html I. Essay Format:

1. Format your essay in accordance with the MLA Style Manual (8th ed. 2016) guidelines, which can also be found at the following link: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/ mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html

2. Include your essay's word count after the last line of your conclusion. 3. The "Works Cited" page does not factor into the word count.

J. Essay Structure: 1. The overall structure of your essay, its number of paragraphs, and the internal structure of each paragraph

must conform to the "Textual Analysis Outline” section in this assignment. 2. Thesis: The thesis statement of your essay should

a) Be one sentence b) Be the last sentence in your introductory paragraph c) Make a claim d) List or reference the three pieces of evidence you will use to prove your claim.

3. Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should a) Begin with a strong topic sentence that explicitly states what the paragraph will prove in support of the

claim you make in your thesis statement b) Contain at least three articles of evidence with ample scholarly analysis to explain why each piece proves

the assertion made in the topic sentence

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https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_outline/types_of_outlines.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_outline/types_of_outlines.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_outline/types_of_outlines.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
Textual Analysis Essay

4. Quotations: ** Do not include quotations that run beyond two lines of text. 5. Works Cited Page: Include your MLA "Works Cited" as the separate and last page of the essay.

K. Grammar & Mechanics: Write in formal Standard American English. 1. Do not use personal pronouns.

(I, you, we, me, and us) 2. Do not use contractions. 3. Do not use colloquialisms or slang. 4. Write in third-person point of view only.

5. Use correct past, present, & future tense. 6. Use proper punctuation. 7. Do not write run-ons or fragments. 8. Consult you writing guide for more. 9. Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!

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Persuasive Techniques

Textual Analysis Essay

Textual Analysis Outline I. Introduction (Summary)

A. State the author’s full name and the title of the essay you are analyzing. B. State what author trying to persuade readers to do, understand, or believe? Interpret author’s main message. C. State the article’s intended audience. D. Summarize the author’s key points. Briefly! (75 words or fewer) E. THESIS (last sentence - ONE sentence):

1. Restate what the author is attempting to persuade readers to do, understand, or believe. 2. Make a claim regarding the essay’s persuasive effectiveness based on two to four of the following criteria:

a) Patterns of development b) Persuasive appeals

c) Persuasive techniques (see “Persuasive Techniques)

II. Persuasive Appeals - (Analysis Paragraph 1 - Referential) A. TS - (Topic Sentence) - Identify (list) the types of evidence presented in support of the essay’s claims

1. Logos (logic): EV - (Evidence) - Give example (e.g. personal experience, facts & statistics, expert testimony, anecdotal evidence, examples from history or current events, etc. (MLA In-text Citation). AN - (Analysis) - Explain how the logical appeal cited is used to support the author’s argument.

2. Pathos (emotion): EV - (Evidence) - Give example of how the essay appeals to readers’ emotions (needs, fears, feelings, beliefs/values, and sympathies). (MLA In-text Citation). AN - (Analysis) - Explain how the emotional appeal cited is used to support the author’s argument.

3. Ethos (credibility): EV - (Evidence) - Give example of author showing credibility (e.g. word choice, selection of evidence, presentation of credentials or personal experience, presentation of opposing viewpoints, etc.) (MLA In-text Citation). AN - (Analysis) - Explain how the credibility appeal cited is used to support the author’s argument.

** Include only the appeals used in your article. ** III. Patterns of Development - (Analysis Paragraph 2 - Referential)

A. TS - (Topic Sentence) - Identify (list) the pattern(s) of development used by the author: 1. Narration 2. Description 3. Evaluation 4. Cause & Effect 5. Comparison & Contrast 6. Classification

7. Division 8. Description 9. Definition 10. Illustration/Examples 11. Process Analysis

B. EV - (Evidence) - Give example of pattern of development (MLA In-text Citation). AN - (Analysis) - Explain how the pattern of development cited is used support the author’s argument. ** Repeat EV-AN pattern for each pattern of development discussed. **

IV. Persuasive Techniques - (Analysis Paragraph 3 - Referential - IF PRESENT) A. TS - (Topic Sentence) - Identify (list) one or more persuasive techniques used by the author:

1. Imagery 2. Tone 3. Symbolism

4. Allegory 5. Anecdotes 6. Metaphors

7. Similes 8. Details 9. Diction

10. Figures of Speech

B. EV - (Evidence) - Give example of a persuasive technique. See “Persuasive Techniques” (In-text Citation). AN - (Analysis) - Explain how the persuasive technique cited is used support the author’s argument. ** Repeat EV-AN pattern for each persuasive technique discussed. **

V. Evaluation - (Evaluation Paragraph 1 - Persuasive) A. TS - (Topic Sentence) - Make claim regarding the strength(s) and/or weakness(s) of the article as a persuasive argument aimed at a

specific audience. Base your claim upon the information you presented in your analysis paragraphs: 1. Reasonable arguments 2. Emotional appeals

3. Author’s credibility 4. Persuasive Techniques

B. EV - (Evidence) - Refer to one appeal, pattern, or technique presented in your analysis paragraphs. AN - (Analysis) - Evaluate how the appeal, pattern, or technique cited IS or IS NOT effective in the author’s argument. ** Repeat EV-AN pattern above for each element discussed. **

VI. Conclusion A. Summarize your key points. B. Comment on the author’s purpose, organization, message, and use of established criteria. C. Leave the reader with (a) a sense of closure, and (b) something interesting to think about.

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Textual Analysis Essay

Departmental Exam Instructions

** Below are the exact instructions given at the Departmental Exam in the ACC Testing Center. ** _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Composition I

ENGL 1301 Departmental Exam

Option 2

IF YOUR INSTRUCTOR GAVE YOU SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE FOLLOW THEM

Read the following persuasive essay marked “Option 2” and write a 600-word analysis of the essay’s main ideas and writing strategies. Underline your thesis statement. Your essay must demonstrate critical thinking and be written coherently, observing grammatical, mechanical, and stylistic conventions. Your paper must include at least one paragraph on each of the following:

Summary (one paragraph) Identify the author and the title of the essay, and then provide a brief summary of the essay’s key ideas. What are the author’s primary and secondary argumentative claims? Conclude with your THESIS, which may be written as one or more sentences. Your thesis will have two parts—

• A statement of the essay’s main point • A statement of the essay’s effectiveness as a persuasive essay

Analysis (more than one paragraph) Discuss how the author supports his or her argumentative claims through any of the following types of appeals:

• Appeal based on logic. Discuss the essay’s process of reasoning. Identify the types of evidence presented in support of the essay’s claims, and give examples (e.g. personal experience, facts & statistics, expert testimony, anecdotal evidence, examples from history or current events, etc.).

• Appeal based on emotion. Discuss how the essay appeals to readers’ emotions (needs, fears, feelings, beliefs/values, and sympathies).

• Appeal based on author’s character/credibility. Consider his or her word choice, selection of evidence, presentation of credentials or personal experience, presentation of opposing viewpoints, etc.

Discuss the methods of development used by the author in constructing the essay’s argument (e.g. cause & effect, comparison/ contrast, classification, definition, description, illustration, narration, process analysis), and give examples.

Evaluation Utilizing the information presented in the analysis, construct a detailed evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the essay as a persuasive argument aimed at a specific audience. In assessing the effectiveness of the essay, be sure to discuss

• Reasonable arguments • Emotional appeals • Author’s credibility