Analysis of Argument A Guide for Students

5 Rules of Writing a Strong SAT Essay1. The essay must be over 400 words in length. Research has found that 90% of essays over 400 words in length

receive the highest score of 12.

2. The sample SAT Essay must use scholarly examples. There should be two or three examples with at least one

from literature. Examples from history are also good. If an essay uses primarily personal experiences it is not a

good guide to helping you learn as SAT graders don't score these as highly as essays that use content learned in

school.

3. The essay must be organized into paragraphs. At the minimum there is an introductory paragraph with at least a

sentence or two. Then one paragraph to cover each example. And often a short conclusion. If the essay has

paragraphs that cover multiple examples it won't score as well and won't serve as a good example for your

learning.

4. The essay must make its points explicitly. If you are reading a sample SAT Essay that you must read between the

lines to get or re-read in order to understand it is not a good sample for you to learn from.

5. The essay must come with a prompt so that you can see what it takes to follow the prompt. If the essay is given

as an example without this critical piece of information there is little you can learn from it.

The Task

Analyze how the author builds her argument. Look for

● evidence (facts/statistics, examples)● reasoning (connecting evidence to claim)● stylistic or persuasive elements

○ appeals○ word choice

Bogard Text - “Let There Be Dark” Write an essay in which you explain how Paul Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience that

natural darkness should be preserved. In your essay, analyze how Bogard uses one or more of the features in

the directions that precede the passage (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and

persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the

passage.

Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Bogard’s claims, but rather explain how Bogard builds

an argument to persuade his audience.

Bogard Text - “Let There Be Dark” - Intro Sentence

Two sentences. Use SOAPS and author’s claim:

● Occasion, speaker, purpose, author’s claim, subject.○ In response to our world’s growing reliance

on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article “Let there be dark.”

Your Claim

● Using several rhetorical strategies, (author’s last name) effectively builds (his/her) argument.○ Using several rhetorical strategies, Bogard

effectively builds his argument.

Bogard Text - “Let There Be Dark”

In response to our world’s growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article “Let there be dark.” Using several rhetorical strategies, Bogard effectively builds his argument.

Dana Gioia Text - “Why Literature Matters”Prompt

As you read the passage below, consider how Dana Gioia uses

● evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.● reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.● stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the

ideas expressed.

Write an essay in which you explain how Dana Gioia builds an argument to persuade his audience that the decline of reading in America will have a negative effect on society. In your essay, analyze how Gioia uses one or more of the features in the directions that precede the passage (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage.

Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Gioia’s claims, but rather explain how Gioia builds

an argument to persuade his audience.

Gioia Text - “Why Literature Matters” - Intro sentence.

Use SOAPS and author’s claim:

● Occasion, speaker, purpose, author’s claim, subject.○ In response to the decline of young Americans reading

literature over the past quarter century, writer Dana Gioia argues that losing the capability of reading literature will allow our nation to become less informed, active and independent-minded in his article “Why Literature Matters.”

Your Claim

● Using several rhetorical strategies, (author’s last name) effectively builds (his/her) argument.○ Using several rhetorical strategies, Gioia

effectively builds his argument.

Gioia Text - Introduction Paragraph

○ In response to the decline of young Americans reading literature over the past quarter century, writer Dana Gioia argues that losing the capability of reading literature will allow our nation to become less informed, active and independent-minded in his article “Why Literature Matters.” Using several rhetorical strategies, Gioia effectively builds his argument.

○

Intro is DONE

Body Paragraph Structure

● Topic sentence: focus on one rhetorical strategy○ Assertion

■ Evidence● Impact/reasoning (this is the bulk of your

essay)

*You will have 2-3 assertions per paragraph.

Topic Sentence Stems

● One important rhetorical strategy (author’s last name) uses is (rhetorical strategy).

● The most significant rhetorical strategy (author’s last name) employs is (rhetorical strategy).

● (Author’s last name)’s use of (rhetorical strategy) is particularly significant to building (his/her) argument.

Examples

● One important rhetorical strategy Bogard uses is allusion.● The most significant rhetorical strategy Bogard employs is

personal anecdote.● Bogard’s use of allusion to art and history is particularly

significant to building his argument.

Assertion Verbs & Phrases

● (He/she) builds (his/her) argument by

● This evokes/to evoke● This reveals/to reveal● This emphasizes● This establishes● This creates a sense of

● By emphasizing● This causes● The author challenges/

establishes/ illustrates● The author urges the

readers to● The author draws on

*Remember, an assertion is something you MUST prove! It’s your argument.

Examples

● Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time when they could fully immerse themselves in natural darkness…

● He builds an argument for the preservation of natural darkness by reminiscing for his readers a first-hand encounter that proves the “irreplaceable value of darkness.”

● Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in the dark sky is definite.

● Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming.

Evidence: Rhetorically Accurate Verbs● What moves does the author make?● The author DOES NOT quote. He/she:

○ Establishes○ Asserts○ Argues○ Employs (uses)○ Illustrates○ Claims○ Considers ○ Emphasizes○ Declares○ Ponders○ Questions

Examples

● Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story--a summer spent on a Minnesota lake…

● Bogard alludes to Paris as “the famed city of light.”

● He asks readers to consider, “what the vision…?”

Impact/Reasoning: Why did you choose your evidence?

● This will be the majority of your body paragraph. ● Once you’ve made your assertion about how the author

builds her argument and have provided evidence of this, answer:○ How does the evidence you’ve selected tie to your

assertion?○ What impact does this rhetorical strategy have on

readers?

Examples

● This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author’s claim.

● This allusion furthers the argument by showing how steps can and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution…

Conclusion: Two Approaches

Restate the intro in a fresh way:

1. Writing as a reaction to his disappointment that artificial light has largely permeated the presence of natural darkness, Paul Bogard argues that we must preserve true, unaffected darkness. He builds his claim by making use of several rhetorical strategies.

Conclusion: Two Approaches

Tell us the impact of this issue on our world:

2. We can still save our world according to Bogard. We must see the strength and beauty in the darkness, and remember how our world survived without lights. Light can be acceptable, but too much of it can prove worse than permanent darkness.