7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
1/19
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
2/19
Builds upon a summary
a formalized, critical reading of a passagethat includes a personal response
purpose is to turn a critical reading of apassage into a systematic evaluation to
deepen a readers understanding of thatpassage
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
3/19
must determine what an author says
how well the points are made
what assumptions underlie the argument
what issues are overlooked, and whatimplication can be drawn from such ananalysis, statement and explanation ofpersonal assumptions
(opinions/responses)
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
4/19
Begin by posing two broad questions aboutreadings:
To what extent does the author succeed inhis/her purpose?
To what extent do you agree with the
author?
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
5/19
identify authors thesis
identify the selections content andstructure
identify the authors purpose.
authors purpose to inform, persuade,and/or entertain
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
6/19
Reason an author writes something
To inform
To persuade
To entertain
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
7/19
Is the information accurate?
Is the information significant? What canthe reader gain from this information? Howis knowledge advanced by thepublication of this material? Is the
information of importance to you or toothers in a particular audience? Why orwhy not?
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
8/19
Does the author fairly interpret the factual
information? Could you offer a contraryexplanation for the same facts? Doesmore information need to be gatheredbefore firm conclusions can be drawn?Why?
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
9/19
What is the authors assertion or thesis
statement? Is the authors argument valid? Does the
author use clearly defined key terms?Does the author use information fairly? Has
the author argued logically and notfallaciously?
Watch out for faulty thinking and logicalfallacies
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
10/19
Which elements of the work seemedeffective/ineffective? Why? Offer an
overall assessment, elaborating onpersonal views. Did I care for the portrayal of a certain
character?
Did that character seem overly sentimentalor heroic?
Did his adversaries seem too villainous orstupid?
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
11/19
Did his adversaries seem too villainous orstupid?
Were the situations believable?
Was the action interesting or merelyformulaic?
Was the theme developed subtly orpowerfully, or did the work come across as
preachy or shrill? Did the action at the end of the work follow
plausibly from what had come before?
Was the language fresh and incisive or stale
and predictable?
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
12/19
To what extent do you agree with the author?
your assessment of the presentation may notcoincide with personal views: you may agree with the author but feel the
presentation is superficial
respond to authors main assertions(arguments)
identify points of agreement and
disagreement identify assumptions
Elaborate upon your opinion.WHY do youagree or disagree?
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
13/19
identify the article title and author provide background information that
answers one or more of the following
questions: Why is the subject of current interest?
How or why is the subject of the passagecontroversial?
What is the authors background?
Under what circumstances was the passagewritten?
include a specific thesis statement
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
14/19
summarizes the authors main points andpurpose for writing
is brief, complete, objective, and avoidsplagiarism
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
15/19
essay objectively assesses the validity of theauthors presentation by commenting on the
authors success in achieving his/herpurpose by reviewing 3 or 4 specific points
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
16/19
The specific points are based upon thefollowing criteria:
Is the information accurate?
Is the information significant?
Has the author clearly defined terms?
Has the author used and interpreted
information fairly? Has the author argued
logically?
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
17/19
Essay responds to the authors views
Essay discusses reasons for agreementand/or disagreement
Questions to answer include:
With which views do you agree? Why? With which views do you disagree? Why?
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
18/19
states conclusions about the overall validityof the article
assesses authors success at achieving aims mentions personal reactions to authors
views
restates the thesis by mentioning theweaknesses/strengths of passage
7/28/2019 Eng_101_Behrens_Chapter2.pdf
19/19
Choose a controversial topic that can laterbe developed into an argument. Find anarticle to support your position. Read thisarticle and write a critique based upon thepreviously outlined criteria.
100 points
Rough draft due Thursday
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~uwc/Writing%20Reso
urces/Handouts/research topics.htm