ENGL&102 Jewell – ANALYSIS ESSAY
Rough draft due Thursday April 25 – Final draft due Monday April 29
The focus for the Summary Essay was a critical reading and interpretation of the Postman text. Analysis focuses on taking that understanding and deepening and/or complicating it. Analysis asks that you take a text apart and look at its component pieces/aspects, either to judge how those pieces work together and whether the author succeeds at his purpose, or to look at those pieces in a different context to help illuminate the meaning and especially significance of the text.
Summary asks that you fully understand an author’s purpose and meaning. Analysis asks that you use that understanding to create meaning of your own in response to the text. Keep in mind that your opinion is important, but not sufficient; you are being asked to create an argument that considers multiple possible interpretations of the text and defends an idea that extends beyond the surface meaning of the text.
You have two options for the Analysis Essay:
-In the Introduction to his book, Rushkoff describes his work as “a ‘poetics’ of digital media.” Paying special attention to the nature of “a poetics,” craft a careful and complete analysis/critique of his project, both from your own perspective and based on your understanding of Rushkoff’s purpose.
-Rushkoff breaks the book into ten chapters, each covering one “command,” or, as he describes them, “humble” prescriptions for changes in thinking that may help us better navigate the digital age. Choose one chapter or command and craft an analysis that considers and advances the implications of the idea he discusses.
Successful essays will proceed from a complex and non-obvious thesis. While it does not need to be a specifically persuasive essay, it will take an argumentative stance, meaning the thesis is debatable and embraces a degree of uncertainty.You will still need to employ the aspects of effective argument we discussed (claims, grounds, warrants, backing, qualifiers, rebuttals). Your aim is to present a complete view of the text that accounts for multiple potential interpretations. In essence, the validity of your thesis is the argument you are trying to defend; it is the central debatable claim for which you must provide grounds and explain warrants (considering qualifiers and rebuttals as well).
3-4 pages (meaning the third page must be more than 2/3 full), double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman, 1” margins. Please include your name, the date, and your class section in the upper left hand corner of the first page. All essays should include a title and must use MLA citations of referenced work.
Grading Rubric
Process (rough drafts, peer review, proper format) 10 pts
Grammar, spelling, and punctuation and MLA citation 10 pts
Interesting, non-obvious, and arguable thesis 10 pts
Reflects critical reading of text from multiple perspectives 20 pts
Thoughtful analysis and effective argument 40 pts
Well-organized with clear transitions between important ideas 10 pts
TOTAL 100 pts