Essay Analysis & Workshop

Tuesday, April 10, Day 24

Today is good practice reviewing what it takes to write a good argument. We'll look at three substantial essays from last semester's ESL 500 class and critique them in groups.

Refresher:
What are the types of supporting details?


Please write up for each essay and discuss with your group:
1) What are the essay's strengths? Weaknesses?

2) How does the writer establish her argument (through strong thesis, topic sentences, types of supporting details, counter argument refutation, conclusion, and/or tone)? Choose a few of these and explain.

Essay 1: How does the writer introduce then refute each counter argument? Why does she change her focus in the final body paragraph (before conclusion)?

Essay 2: The final three paragraphs in this essay take on a different focus. Do you think this benefits the essay or hurts it?

Essay 3: How does this writer close each body paragraph and how does this benefit each paragraph? Does she bring her topic to a general, educated audience or is some of her language too technical (consider the conclusion especially)? Do you feel the graph is helpful to the writer's argument?

3) Decide whether the essay is ultimately successful. Are you convinced? Do you side with the writer after reading her argument?

Name your document 3EssayAnalysis and save to your Dropbox folder.


Workshop:
Compare what you've seen in these essays to your own essay-in-progress. You'll have the rest of the time in class to work. I will come around and check on your progress.

Presentations Sign-up
These are 5-10 minutes presentations, after which will be a brief time for questions. If you are one of the last presenters and there is not enough time for you to present, you'll roll over to an available slot on the next presentation day. If you miss your presentation slot, you will not be allowed to make it up unless you have a tremendously good reason. :) The third presentation day is for extras only--I don't expect we'll have any to do that day.