Paper 1: Analysis of an Argument in Context

Learning Outcome #1: Discern elements of context embedded in arguments—the clues that show what the argument is responding to, both in the sense of what has come before it and that it is written for an audience in a particular time and place; examine a writer’s language in relation to audience, context, and community.

Prompt: In your analysis of Johann Hari’s “The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think,” you are expected to:

  • Introduce Hari and his project, argument, and audience.
  • Include the author’s name, the publication his article appears in, and your thesis about his argument in your introductory paragraph.
  • Discuss the context in which Hari’s argument is situated.
  • Describe what you believe are Hari’s most important sub-claims, making sure to explain their relationship to the main claim.
  • Analyze the types of evidence Hari usesto persuade his reader to accept these claims, as well as the strategies he uses to advance them.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of Hari’s evidence and rhetorical moves in persuading his intended audience in a particular context.
  • Explain whether or not you find Hari’s argument convincing to his audience based on your analysis and evaluation.
  • Write the paper as if you’re addressing a reader who has never encountered Hari or this particular text before.
  • Explore how your text (this paper) and analysis are significant and might be informative for readers.

Paper Requirements:

  • 5-8 pages
  • Double-spaced
  • Standard 1-inch margins
  • 12-point, Times New Roman font
  • Use specific quotes and lines of evidence, using MLA in-text citation
  • MLA format (double-spaced, one inch margins, page numbers, etc.)
  • Works Cited page (i.e., MLA format)

Important Dates:

  • Feb 1st – Outline of thesis statement for Paper 1 due
  • Feb 6th – Rough draft of Paper 1 due
  • Feb 7th/13th – Conferences for Paper 1
  • Feb 15th – Final draft for Paper 1 due

Writing Help: If you have any questions, you are welcome to send me an email or stop by my office during my designated hours (or make an appointment). Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend an optional 15-minute conference with me to go over your rough draft (I will pass around a sign-up sheet eventually). Furthermore, you may make appointments at the SDSU Writing Center for additional assistance, and Purdue OWL is an excellent reference for MLA formatting and academic writing.

Hari Day 1 – Activities

  • Review PACES
  • Reflective Writing on Hari’s article
  • Class discussion of writing exercise
  • Present Hari’s TEDTalk
  • Student’s get into groups and analyze Hari’s text together, answering discussion questions
  • Rejoin as class, share and discuss responses

Week / Day / Assignment/Reading
1 / Wednesday Jan 18th / Introduction, syllabus, presentation on basics of rhetoric and argumentation
2 / Monday Jan 23rd / Due: Create blog; Read p. 5-14 (CR); Read Kristof article: “Do We Have the Courage to Stop This?” and respond to short list of basic questions; Personal reflective writing;Review of rhetorical argument concepts; discussion of Kristof article; walkthrough of argument chart for Kristof article.
2 / Wednesday Jan 25th / Due: Read Hari’s article: “The Likely Cause of Addiction has Been Discovered, and it is Not what you think”;Review prompt for Paper 1 and discuss Hari’s text; watch short related video
3 / Monday Jan 30th / Due: Read p. 69-88 in Parfitt; Group presentations on reactions to Hari; Continue discussing Hari and rhetorical strategies, and discuss developing a thesis statement and how to construct an introductory paragraph; watch short related video
3 / Wednesday Feb 1st / Due: Read p. 110-118 and 122-123 in Parfitt; Outline of thesis statement for Paper 1; Discuss structure of body paragraphs and conclusion.
4 / Monday Feb 6th / Due: Rough draft of Paper 1; Peer-review workshop.
4 / Wednesday Feb 7th / No class; Conferences for Paper 1
5 / Monday Feb 13th / No class; Conferences for Paper 1
5 / Wednesday Feb 15th / Due: Final Draft of Paper 1; Introduction to Unit 2 and “lens” assignment; Discuss Roberts-Miller on the rhetoric of demagoguery