M O N DAY , 9 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 3

ARGUMENT ANALYSIS

REVIEW: SUMMARIZING

“reduce it to its main points using your own words” (LBH 152).

Tips for summary via LBH: • Understand the meaning: Look up words or concepts you don’t know so that you

understand the author’s sentences and how they relate to one another• Understand the organization: Work through the text to identify its sections—single

paragraphs or groups of paragraphs focused on a single topic. • Distill each section: Write a one- or two-sentence summary of each second you

identify. Focus on the main point of the section, omitting examples, facts, and other supporting evidence.

• State the main idea: Write a sentence or two capturing the author’s central idea. • Support the main idea: Write a full paragraph (or more, if needed) that begins with

the central idea and supports it with sentences that summarize sections of the work. The paragraph should concisely and accurately state the thrust of the entire work.

• Use your own words: By writing, you re-create the meaning of the work in a way that makes sense for you.

REVIEW: ANALYZING

“the separation of something into its parts or elements” (LBH 155).

For our purposes in the analysis essay, we are analyzing an argument in order to draw conclusions about whether or not the article is convincing/poorly or well written. Those conclusions are the foundation of the analysis essay where your thesis will present your conclusions about the article based on your analysis (though ____ is not an expert in ____, his argument was convincing because it was well-organized, well-supported with statistics and research from accredited organizations, and because it made good use of emotional appeals).

Start your with these questions: • Who is the author arguing to, who is the audience?• What is the writer’s argument?• How is her/his argument organized or structured?• What reasons does the writer give in support of her/his argument? • What kinds of evidence does the author use to support these reasons? Is it credible and

reliable evidence? • How does the writer use appeals to persuade her/his readers?

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A “GOOD” ARGUMENT?

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A POOR ARGUMENT?

BACK TO “GLOBAL WARMING STATISTS THREATEN OUR LIBERTY” (LBH 197-198)

Her Argument: “left-wing activists” who argue that people contribute to global warming are threatening Americans’ liberties

In Small Groups: - Determine whether or not Borelli writes a convincing

argument - Develop a thesis statement (with reasons)- Develop an outline for your essay (if you were writing

your analysis paper on this article, what would your essay look like?)