ANNOTATION of an ARTICLE Assignment
Assignment:
· Source: use the same article as used in the “Preliminary Abstract” and “Outline”
· Format: write in sentences/paragraphs – not with bulleted lists
· Length: write for 2-3 pages
· Parts: citation, author, publication, audience, argument, evaluation, grade
· (include proper headers on all pages)
I. Author :
· full name, credentials
· background (credentials)
o professional & educational background
· affiliations
o professional organizations
o political affiliations
· reputation
II. Publication :
· full name
· publisher
o editorial board
o sponsoring foundation
o (see “about us” links)
· types of articles
· bent (liberal, conservative)
· reputation
· intended audience
III. Intended Audience :
· who
· race, gender, class, religion
· political affiliation
· their qualities, traits
· their opinions, in general
· their stance on this issue
IV. Argument :
· Organization (Outline)
o Claim
§ author’s thesis, main point/stance
§ in a single sentence
§ in the author’s words (if clearly stated) – use quotation marks
§ in your own words (paraphrased)
o Reasons
§ author’s justification for the Claim (“because”)
o Evidence
§ support, grounds, proof, examples
§ in the order they appear in the document
· “Aim of Argument”
o Inquire, Convince, Persuade, Mediate
· Context of argument
o past, present, future of this argument
o Writing Situation/kairos (What prompted this essay/article to be written?)
· key terms
o defined by author (implied by context)
o listed & defined by you
V. Evaluation :
· strengths & weaknesses
· “Mature Reasoning”
o well informed
o self-analysis, open-mindedness
o other-directed (opposing side)
o aware of argument’s context
· “Analyze”
o ask the author questions/questions raised (?)
o note great lines, interesting/brilliant bits (!)
o note unusual, confusing, awkward, difficult (?!)
o note errors, omissions, oversights
o note overgeneralizations, contradictions, assumptions (OG, ASSM)
o C/C your own experiences to author’s examples
o C/C this argument to other arg. you’ve read
· * discuss your “Expectations” from the Preliminary Abstract
rate
· Introduction
o introduces the argument (logically, coherently)?
o establishes argument’s context?
o discusses the Writing Situation?
o clearly states Claim, thesis?
· Thesis
o clearly stated?
o where? in the Intro, throughout, at the end?
· Support
o actually supplied?
o sufficient in quantity & quality?
· Other Side
o if given, was it “fully, fairly, objectively” discussed?
o if not, list possible objections, refutations & who could be among the group
· Conclusion
o reiterate Claim, main points?
o Clincher Sentence, point to ponder?
· Author
o tone
o credibility
o success (in “Aim of Argument”)
§ succeed in convincing, persuading
VI. GRADE :
· overall grade of the article, based on your Evaluation (ABCDF)