An Argumantive Essay Assignment Paper

There are three types of Arguments: Classical/Aristotelian; Toulmin; and Rogerian. Familiarize yourself with them through a careful examination of the attached powerpoint and the links provided on this website.

The first of the 3-draft main assignments will make use of all of the material introduced in this section as well as the previous modules.

Essay I: Judgement Essay

A Comparative analysis of Jon Stewart's and Steve Jobs' commencement speeches

After carefully reading both texts of speeches write a 4-page essay passing judgement on which speech uses more effectively irony and humor explaining the positive or negative role that humor plays in influencing audiences.

Requirements:

4 page- 3 drafts using four sources [two additional sources to those of the texts of the speeches]. Works cited page must be included for each draft.

Revision sheets included with drafts # 2 and # 3 explaining what has been revised and why and how.

Focus skills

* Identify and examine texts in terms of the rhetorical situation

* Identify position, claims, supporting evidence

* Identify rhetorical appeals

* Introduce your essay justifying the purpose of the comparative analysis of the two texts

* Summarize and paraphrase authors' views or ideas and integrate them meaningfully into the essay

* Provide logical reasons to support why each author's sub-claim/position is more convincing than its counterpart

* Use logical reasoning and develop your ideas

* Support claims with relevant evidence from the texts

* Provide a thesis that addresses the purpose of the judgment essay

Steps in the Process:

Draw a line where the introduction ends. Is it after the first paragraph, or are there more intro paragraphs?

* Divide the body of the essay into sections based on topics.

* Draw a line where the conclusion begins. Is it the last paragraph, or does it begin before that?

From your work charting the text, what do you think is the speech's main argument? Is it explicit, or is it implicit?

a) "Do I agree with the writer's claim that . . .?" Mark up the paper as follows:

Red: use of an emotional appeal or pathos

Green: use of appeal to authority or reputation or ethos

Blue: use of an appeal to logic or logos

b) What kind of assumptions does s/he make? How does s/he establish a common ground?

c) d) Look at support for major claims. Is there any claim that appears to be weak or unsupported? Which and why?"

e) Do you think the writer has left something out on purpose? Why or why not?

f) How does the writer develop his discourse? What is the logical order of her arguments? Why are they arranged like this? Which appeal dominates? Are there any logical fallacies in his argument?

Ethical questions

a) Who is the writer? If you haven't already, do an internet search to find out something about her/him. What is his/her profession? What does s/he usually write about? Does everybody agree with him/her? Do the facts about his life, his credentials, and his interests that you find make his more credible to you, or less?

b) Does the writer have the right background to speak with authority on this subject?

c) What does the writer's style and language tell you about her?

d) Do you trust this writer? Do you think this writer is deceptive? Why or why not?

Questions about emotional effects

a) What are some other passages that have an emotional effect? Label the exact emotion provoked in each