Rhetorical Analysis on Contemporary Ethical Issue

For your first major assignment, you will write a thesis-driven rhetorical analysis of two texts or sources, related to your semester topic on a social, environmental, economic, or local issue. You need to look specifically at texts that directly address a contemporary ethical problem or question related to your issue of choice. This involves researching and finding articles in the library or online relating to your topic. Ideally, you should choose two texts that offer two different views on your topic. Remember, they need to be making an argument about the topic. A successful essay will: Bring readers into the context of the reading. In what larger conversation is the author participating? What ethical problems or questions appear in this text? Why are they important? What is at stake? Introduce the text to the reader, briefly summarize its main idea, and make a claim (thesis) for each author’s rhetorical strategies. A strong claim is both contestable – reasonable people might disagree – and predictive – it will set up expectations for your reader. 2. Develop your main points around specific rhetorical strategies. Consider how the author constructs the argument, not whether or not you agree. Analysis relies on objective judgments. Remember also that rhetoric encompasses any tools available for persuasion. For example, would it be useful to talk about the argument in terms of ethos, logos, and/or pathos? Or on purpose, audience, and/or genre? Support your main points with concrete examples (evidence) from the text. To develop and support your own points, you will need to include specific examples in the form of paraphrases or short, direct quotations. Formatting Specifications and Due Date: MLA or APA formatting with 12 point font (preferably Times New Roman) Provide a works cited page for the sources researched (there should only be two sources) Section headers should be used throughout the paper (a road map for your reader) 1000-1200 words (excluding the works cited page) Organization and Structure of Paper: The paper should be organized in the following manner: Introduction Section: Purpose (Introduces two sources to include author names and title of text, along with the subject matter.) Claim/Thesis/Main Idea from Authors (Provide the main claim or thesis statement of each author.) Analysis Parameters (What methods of analysis will you use to analyze the sources? Explain what criteria are used in your paper.) Analysis Section: Provide at least three characteristics by which to analyze each text (i.e., Ethos, Pathos, Logos or Style, Tone, Sentence Structure, Toulmin Model, etc.) Compare and contrast elements of each text/author arguments (What are the similarities? How are they different?) Provide specific examples from each text in order to support your comments (at least 3 quotes with in-text citations from each source) The details should be thorough and logical Conclusion Section: States the major inferences that can be drawn from the analysis. It is based entirely on previously stated information. It does not introduce new material or evidence to support your analysis. Works Cited (new page – last page of paper): MLA format must be use for both sources listed Works cited page contains each source used in the in-text citations.