Essay 1: Analyzing an Article -- Clarification and Examples for finding the article and writing your thesis statement

Researching (finding an article to analyze) for Essay 1:

Hi, all!

If you're looking for an article to analyze for your first essay, in our first Learning Module, there's a file called "Steps for Accessing Opposing Viewpoints Database." There are plenty of great articles there, based on topic.

I also encourage you to peruse the library's other databases, such as EbscoHost as you research.

You only need one article to examine for this first essay, but for the next two research papers, you'll need a number of outside sources (which you'll find from the library's databases), so it's a good idea to start familiarizing yourself with researching now.

Remember to choose an article in which you can find some problems or flaws (holes in the argument) so that you don't run out of things to say in your essay after one paragraph. Email me if you have any questions or concerns.

How to write a thesis for essay 1:

First of all, you should look at the article and ask yourself who wrote it, what their credentials are, are they qualified to make this argument, etc., and jot down all the notes you take about this, because this will be the "appeal to ethos" section.
Then, what was the main point of the argument? What was the case they were making?
Then, ask yourself what emotional appeals are made, take notes, write all the examples down, etc.
Then, what facts are used (appeal to logos). Same process.
Then, what holes in the logic? Same process.
Then, do you think the overall argument was successful, based on all the notes you just took?
Why or why not? Same process (i.e., write all this down!)
Now, look! You have an outline! ;-)
Write a thesis statement based on the above

Example thesis statement and more info for essay 1:

For Essay 1, remember that you are choosing an article, preferably from the research you conduct through WNMU Library's online database (make sure you read everything in Module One for directions), and you will analyze the article's use of appeals and look for any holes in the logic/appeals (i.e., fallacies).

You are not arguing your own opinion in this essay (that will be in Essays 2 and 3).

Instead, it is your job in this first essay to argue whether or not the author you chose successfully makes his/her case and convinces you of his/her point, explaining in detail with clear examples from the article and your textbook why this is so. Your thesis, then, should argue whether or not the article was successful.

For example:

In her article "Making a Case," professor of rhetoric Jennifer Givhan argues that a student writer must provide clear and credible support in order to convince his or her readers, but she fails to consider that student writers must also organize their arguments compellingly and write in grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs, therefore, she doesn't completely make her case as well as she could. She appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos, but relies heavily on ethos and doesn't always fully articulate her examples, which would have strengthened her argument.

Notice that I want you to setup several ideas in your thesis and/or introduction:

Article title
Author name
Main point/argument made in the article
What appeals are used
Whether or not the argument was convincing/successful
Why or why not (i.e., one sentence, not a point by point breakdown, which you will instead include as the topic sentences of each of your paragraphs).

Remember also that a college-level essay in APA format should be organized as such:

Cover page with necessary info (see APA handbook)
Abstract that briefly explains the MAIN POINTS of your essay and your overall conclusion/argument
Hook ... Introduction ... and Thesis (the hook, intro, and thesis are all in one paragraph)
Body paragraphs of support (i.e., examples from the text), each with a TOPIC SENTENCE that clearly articulates the MAIN POINT of that paragraph (each paragraph contains only one main idea)
Conclusion that summarizes main points succinctly and then leaves a lasting impression in your readers' minds
Reference page in APA format (on its own separate page)

All of this information is covered in much more detail in Module One, and I'm here to answer any questions you may have.

For your essay, I need you to cite all of your sources, whether you quote and/or paraphrase, you should include in-text citation and signal phrases telling me where the info comes from throughout the essay, and included a References page at the end of the essay with the necessary info according to APA guidelines found in your textbook. I don't require any other source info but this. I'm still available to answer questions and concerns, as ever, so please feel free to contact me. Have a wonderful and productive week!

Good luck researching!

All best,

Ms. G