Assignment Sheet

Argument Analysis Essay

Part I: Argument Analysis (100 points). Before you can effectively refute an argument,
you have to understand it. This means that you have to (1) analyze it—break it down to
its component parts—and (2) evaluate it—determine the strengths and weaknesses of the
whole. For this assignment you will select a substantive essay, book chapter, web site, or
other public argument through your own research and write a 3-4 page analysis of an
argument accomplishing both of these tasks. The article you analyze must be approved by
your instructor. Think of your rhetorical analysis as a way to shine a spotlight on
important aspects of the selected argument and make the argument understandable and
interesting for your readers.

The purpose of your essay is not to refute or attempt to disprove what the author has to
say but to carefully analyze the argument and break it down for the reader. At this stage
your thesis and content should focus on analysis and evaluation without lapsing into
arguing against the source. You seek to explain how the argument functions and assess
its quality—what it does well and what is does poorly—not whether or not the author’s
view is right or wrong.

Your paper should include the following:

1. introduction containing basic context about the article, such as title, author
information, journal or book information where applicable, target audience,
purpose, and any other relevant information if/when available (e.g., the event or
issue the article responds to, if the article is part of a controversy or of a series,
critical reception, etc.);
2. a summary of the article which identifies the article’s main claims and evidence;
3. an analysis and of the article’s argument(s) using the elements of rhetorical theory
discussed in class. You may choose to answer some of the “Questions for
Rhetorical Analysis” on page 149-150 to identify the article’s most salient
features;
4. an evaluation of the article’s argument(s), based on the effectiveness of the
evidence presented in support of the argument and on the article’s overall
effectiveness in persuading the target audience;
5. a conclusion that wraps up your analysis and comments on the significance of the
argument, if appropriate.

To develop and support your own points, you will need to include textual evidence in the
form of examples or short quotations from the argument. Use APA documentation to cite
points and quotations in your essays and in a References list at the end.
 Argument Analysis
Scoring Rubric

Skill Area Exceeds Meets Standards Approaching Below Score

Standards Standards Standards
8 6
10/9 5 or less
Purpose/Focus The purpose of Contains a Focus deviates Lapses into
the essay focused thesis and somewhat from primary
demonstrates maintains focus essay being argument with
advanced critical throughout on analyzed. little analysis of
thinking and analysis and Lapses into source text.
analysis. evaluation refutation or
without lapsing argument of
into formal broader issue.
refutation.
Structure Summary The essay is Organization is Organization is
analysis, and logically somewhat haphazard.
evaluation work organized so that confusing Essay fails to
particularly well the argument making the logic achieve unity and
as a logical builds toward a of the essay comprehension.
progression. convincing sometimes
conclusion. difficult to
follow.
Content Conclusions Accurately Essay may be Either analysis or
regarding the summarizes particularly weak citation of source
strengths and material without either on citation material
weaknesses of distortion. of source text or (quotation,
the source article Substantively analysis of paraphrase,
are particularly analyzes and source material, summary) absent.
insightful. evaluates quality weakening Fails to support
Analysis of of argument in overall analysis. assertions with
fallacies and detail. evidence.
other rhetorical
forms are
employed.
Style Style is Essay is written in Style is not Style shows little
particularly an engaging appropriate to control of voice
engaging, academic style. audience. or tone.
making the essay Errors in Mechanical Mechanical
a pleasure to mechanics are errors are errors are
read. absent. present. abundant.
Documentation Passages cited Quotation, A few Citations are not
demonstrate paraphrase, and documentation in APA style or
advanced critical summary are used errors are may be missing
thinking in correctly to present. Cited altogether.
selecting support analysis. material may not Evidence from
passages for APA style is be well-chosen. source article
critique. followed without absent.
error.