FIRST ASSIGNMENT: COMPARISON OF THE LITERATURE

ASSIGNMENT #1: COMPARATIVE ANALYSISASSIGNMENT #1: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

In Writing Analytically, authors Rosenwasser and Stephen suggest that “to become a better analytical thinker and writer, [you should] become more aware of your own thinking and writing processes, build on skills you already possess and eliminate any bad habits that get in the way” (2).

To begin your semester-long research, we will look at ways to build on those writing skills with which you are already familiar, such as summarizing and comparing, and concentrate on the more complex skills of analyzing and synthesizing.

Rosenwasser and Stephen propose the following basic steps one should use when thinking and writing analytically:

  • Suspend judgment of the text (understand the subject first, before evaluating it—or in other words, read with an open mind).
  • Identify and define the significant parts of the text and determine how they’re related to the whole (mark up and annotate text, and think deeply about it).
  • Make the implicit explicit (understand the difference between what the text implies or suggests and what is clearly stated—that is, reveal what the text really means).
  • Look for patterns in the texts (items that both compare/contrast with other readings).
  • Keep asking questions and reconsidering your initial impressions of the texts until you have a thorough understanding of them.

Meeting the Requirements of the Assignment:

1. ChooseAssignmentAssignmentan issue that is relevant in some way to your academic major (or proposed major/area of interest); one that will both interest and motivate you throughout the semester.

2. Look through current or (recent) past textbooks for assistance, ask your instructors for suggestions, use a heuristic (such as brainstorming, clustering, etc.) to prompt ideas.

3.Do a general computerized search, narrowing your topic down to a workable issue.

4.Use the Helmke Library Guides for W233 as a starting place for your research, along with any of the suggestions made in class.

5.After deciding on your topic, find three different types of sources or perspectives on this same topic. One source should be from a substantial periodical (magazine, newspaper, or journal), one should be anInternet web source, and one should be from a book on the subject (or a substantial portion of a book).

6.Analyze how these three sources compare/contrast with one another in these areas:

  • their perspectives or viewpoints
  • main points
  • emphases or focus areas
  • styles and tones

7.For each of the sources you choose, discuss the following items in your paper:

  • Summarize and identify the source’s main points or issues addressed(What).
  • Pay particular attention to the author of the source, noting his/her credentials,

background, etc.(Who).

  • Examine the various authors’ perspectives on the topic.
  • Determine why the authors wrote what they did; their rationale or purpose.(Why).
  • Discuss the intended audience for each text and its significance.
  • Indicate how the texts were written; that is, the structure and what is significant about the way in which the text was organized(How).
  • Include the date and forum in which you found the source (book, Internet, on-line source, etc.) and discuss why that forum was important(Whereand When).

8.In analyzing and comparing these three sources, try to determine how the sources differ in terms of format, design, attention to detail, background information, credible evidence, and so forth.

9.As you summarize these sources, you may address any of the literary conventions that apply, such as tone, style, setting, theme, etc.

Purpose and Audience

1.Purpose and AudiencePurpose and AudienceYour purpose is to examine three perspectives on the same basic issue, each from a different forum.

2.The skills you will use in this assignment will include summarizing, comparing, analyzing and synthesizing.

3.Your audience will be made up of mid- to upper-level college students who are majoring in the academic discipline that would deal with your topic. They willhave some knowledge of your topic, along with a familiarity of MLA and theconventions of academic writing.

Sources

SourcesSourcesYou will need to research and cite all three sources, as indicated previously:

  • one substantial journal, magazine, or newspaper article
  • one Internet web source
  • one book

Length and Format

1.Length and FormatLength and FormatFormal documentation, using MLA, is required, along with a Works Cited page.

2.Afirst draft (of at least 2 to 2 ½ typed pages) is required. At least two sources should be included in this draft.

3.A seconddraft (of approximately 3 to 3 ½ typed pages, which has been both peer and instructor reviewed) will be due. All three sources should be cited in this draft.

4.Your final draft will be a minimum of fourpages, word processed and double- spaced, with 1” margins. It should be submitted in a labeled folder, with all drafts, peer response sheets, and sources included. (Any cited passages will need to behighlighted on the source, details to follow.) This project is worth 10% of your final grade for the course.

Your Rhetorical Analysis paper should meet the following criteria:

1.The introduction provides adequate and necessary background information to generally inform your audience about the crucial elements of the issue in question.

2.A clearly stated thesis is located within your introductory remarks, indicating the topic and issue you’re discussing, along with some reference to the 3 sources that will relate to that discussion.

3.Any and all sources used should support your thesis, either directly or indirectly. Substantial and effective connections (transitions) are made between and among all 3 of your sources.

4.Direct references are made to all cited sources, using an effective blending of summaries, paraphrases, and direct quotations, using MLA documentation and appropriate signal phrases/author tags.

5.An obvious and logical plan or organization is used to support your thesis and guide your audience, as evidenced by effective transitions.

6.The subject matter, purpose, and vocabulary used by you reflects an awareness of the audience’s needs and knowledge of the subject matter.

7.A conclusion is present, effectively restating your overall impressions about the 3 written texts’ perspectives and an analysis of their significance.

8.The final draft is correctly formatted, using standards established by MLA for in-text documentation, and the Works Cited page.

9.The paper illustrates and incorporates the specific strategies of comparing, summarizing, analyzing, and synthesizing as discussed in class. Evidence of annotating and otherwise “marking” up your texts should be included.

10.The final writing project/folder contains all of the appropriate materials and requirements of the assignment, including number and types of sources, preliminary and final drafts, prewriting, peer responses, and any other work designated. The above work has been thoughtfully prepared and completed on time, and illustrates substantial revision throughout the writing process.

Please submit the following items:

  • Final draft with Works Cited page
  • Second draft
  • First draft
  • Peer response
  • Prewriting
  • All sources, in alphabetical order, with cited passages highlighted

Source: Mark Spalding, based on a handout by Karol Dehr (2009).