Critical Response Essay Directions
WR 122 Handout -  Fall 2005 - Prof. Cora Agatucci 

DEADLINES:  See WR 122 Course Plan.
GRADING WEIGHT:  See WR 122 Syllabus.
LENGTH:  3 to 4 word-processed and double-spaced pages

BUT NOTE:  There is NO length limit on your Critical Response Essay:  It should be as long as it needs to be to meet Critical Response Essay assignment requirements and get the job done well!

TOPIC CHOICE:  Your Critical Response Essay (Analysis + Evaluation) must be written on the same AofA argument essay that you choose for your Formal Academic Summary, selected from one of the following:

MANUSCRIPT FORM REQUIREMENTS:  See also WR 122 Syllabus.

MLA Style Heading & Title – Page 1 example:

Juanita Doe
WR 122, Prof. Cora Agatucci
Critical Response Essay – Final Draft
25 October 2005

 

Critical Response to Angi Grellhesl’s “Mediating the Speech Code Controversy” 

            In “Mediating the Speech Code Controversy,” first-year university student Angi Grellhesl presents a solution to the current controversy over whether or not campus speech codes should

MLA Style Running Page Header (on subsequent pages) – Page 2 example:

Doe 2

effective close examination of the ends and means advocated by proponents and opponents of university speech codes, Grellhesl reveals that the two

CONTENT REQUIREMENTS: 

Part One: Introduction & Rhetorical Analysis of the Argument Essay  (1-to-3 paragraphs)

AofA Resources:
--”What Are the Aims of Argument?” and “Concept Close-Up: Comparing the Aims of Argument” (Crusius and Channel 14-17);
--For more detail on each type of argument, see AofA chs. 6–9.

·          Rhetorical Analysis: Identify significant features of the argument essay’s Rhetorical Context (who, to whom, where, when, why), using both external information and internal clues. Be sure to cite all quotation, paraphrase, summary taken from Crusius and Channel and/or other sources in proper MLA style.
AofA Resources:
 --“Best Practices: Guidelines for Determining Rhetorical Context” (Crusius and Channel 23)
 --Bullets 13-15 of “Best Practices: Ways to Annotate” (Crusius and Channel 37)
 --Paragraph 1 of “Analysis of ‘The Decorated Body’” (Katie Lahey qtd. in Crusius and Channell 41-42)

·          Self-Analysis:  Explain whether or not--and why or why not--you consider yourself to be a member of the author’s targeted/ideal audience, identifying any significant factors (e.g. your prior knowledge, experiences, opinions, interests  relevant to the topic—or lack of same) that may have influenced your response to the author’s argument.  Taking any such acknowledged influences into account, Conclude this section/paragraph with a self-assessment of your ability to conduct an open-minded analysis and fair evaluation of the author’s argument essay.

Part Two: Critical Analysis and Evaluation of the Argument Essay’s Main Strength/s and Weakness/es (At least 3 well-developed paragraphs)

Apply relevant methods of analysis and criteria for evaluation (that you have learned thus far in WR 122 from AofA reading assignments, class handouts, discussion, exercises and/or activities) to identify, analyze and evaluate the main strength/s and weakness/es of the argument essay – and be sure to cite quotation, paraphrase, and summary from the argument essay under discussion and from Crusius and Channel using proper MLA style.

AofA Resources: Previous AofA resources discussed in assigned readings, class handouts, discussions, exercises; your Comparative Essay recommendations;
Bullets 1-11 of “Best Practices: Ways to Annotate” (Crusius and Channel 37)
Part Two of “Analysis of ‘The Decorated Body,’” paragraphs 4-9 (Katie Lahey qtd. in Crusius and Channell 42-43)

While you may decide that your chosen argument essay has more strengths than weaknesses or vice versus, this assignment requires that you address at least one strength, at least one weakness, and at least one additional strength or weakness (your choice):

1.      Devote at least one well-developed paragraph to a strength of the argument essay:

·        Identify one strength of the argument essay,

·        Present one or more cogent reasons to explain why you judge this aspect of the argument essay to be one of its strengths, and

·        Support your judgment with evidence—i.e. relevant illustration/s of this strength from the argument essay

2.      Devote at least one well-developed paragraph to a weakness of the argument essay.

·        Identify one weakness of the argument essay,

·        Present one or more cogent reasons to explain why you judge this aspect of the argument essay to be one of its weaknesses, and

·        Support your judgment with evidence—i.e. relevant illustration/s of this strength from the argument essay

3.      Devote at least one additional well-developed paragraph to a second strength or weakness (your choice) of the argument essay

·        Identify an additional strength OR weakness of the argument essay,

·        Present one or more cogent reasons to explain why you judge this aspect of the argument essay to be one of its strengths or weaknesses, and

·        Support your judgment with evidence—i.e. relevant illustration/s of this strength or weakness from the argument essay

Note:  The order in which you address the above Part Two requirements is your choice, and you are free to address more strengths and weaknesses than the required minimums.

GRADING NOTE: Ability to adhere to conventions of standard written English (e.g. grammar, punctuation, mechanics) will also be considered in grading both Formal Academic Summary and Critical Response Essay!

Go to: Formal Academic Summary Directions

WR 122 Fall 2005 Syllabus | Course Plan | WR 122 Course Home Page

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Last Updated: 30 January 2006

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