101 unit 2 assignment sheet spring 20
- 1. Unit Two: Reading Rhetorically and Responding to an Argument The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing chapter 5 (provided on BbLearn as a PDF) Purpose and Overview In Unit Two, we will learn how to interact with challenging texts by applying what you know about rhetoric to your reading strategies. This unit will introduce you to two kinds of writing that you will use often in your college career: summary writing and response writing. This unit will help you be a stronger reader of college- level and professionally written non-fiction prose. At the end of this unit, you will write a strong response essay. Requirements This assignment requires that you read a dense and challenging text rhetorically in order to accurately summarize and respond to the text. To do this, you will practice close reading and basic rhetorical analysis to help you critique the ideas presented in a text and reflect on your personal response to those ideas. The essay should be approximately 4-5 pages in length and will need to follow MLA formatting and citation guidelines (to include a works cited page). What you will need to do Step One: Find the text that your instructor has provided on BbLearn and read it closely. Apply the strategies on pages 84-86 of Allyn and Bacon. Then, read the text again. This time, read the text “with the grain.” Read the text a third time, but this time read it “against the grain.” (For more information about “with the grain” and “against the grain” see pages 86-88 of Allyn and Bacon.) You may need to read the text multiple times in order to fully understand it. That’s okay! (NOTE: if you have problems finding the text provided on BbLearn, stop now and contact your instructor.) Step Two: Read the text again. Then, follow the steps for generating ideas on pages 102-104 of Allyn and Bacon. Write a summary of the text. Your summary should be about 200 words and include all of the criteria on the list found on page 90 of Allyn and Bacon. Step Three: Read the text again. Use the strategies for reading to stimulate ideas for a strong response found on page 107 of Allyn and Bacon. Write a thesis for your strong response essay (see Allyn and Bacon pages 109-110 for details about how to write a thesis for this essay, along with some example thesis statements you can use as a template for your own thesis statement). Step Four: Write your strong response essay. Look at figure 5.2 on page 111 of Allyn and Bacon for a framework you might use to shape your essay. You should write your strong response as a blend (see page 98 of Allyn and Bacon for more information; see also the example strong response essay on pages 98-101). Assessment The following outcomes will be used as the means for assessing your work for this assignment: • I have accurately summarized the text I’m responding to. I’ve correctly identified the main point of the text, and I’ve identified how that main point is supported by the author of the text. • I have a thesis that clearly maps out the points that I’m going to develop and discuss in my essay. These points are “risky and contestable” and will challenge my reader.
- 2. • My strong response supports my thesis. I’ve presented rhetorical and ideas points in my response, and I’ve critiqued these rhetorical and ideas points with my own perspective (and perhaps knowledge and personal experience). • I have a clear conclusion in essay that leaves my readers thinking. • I have correctly used MLA formatting, style, and citations (this includes a works cited page). • I have correctly followed the conventions of English appropriate for my assigned audience and genre. Not Yet—something is missing and/or major revision is needed Moving Towards Expectations—some revision is needed Meets Expectations—no revision is needed I have accurately summarized the text I’m responding to. I’ve correctly identified the main point of the text, and I’ve identified how that main point is supported by the author of the text. 0-13 14-17 18-20 I have a thesis that clearly maps out the points that I’m going to develop and discuss in my essay. These points are “risky and contestable” and will challenge my reader. 0-10 10.5-13 13.5-15 My strong response supports my thesis. I’ve presented rhetorical and ideas points in my response, and I’ve critiqued these rhetorical and ideas points with my own perspective (and perhaps knowledge and personal experience). 0-20 21-26 27-30 I have a clear conclusion in essay that leaves my readers thinking. 0-6 7-8 9-10 I have correctly used MLA formatting, style, and citations (this includes a works cited page). 0-10 10.5-13 13.5-15 I have correctly followed the conventions of English appropriate for my assigned audience and genre. 0-6 7-8 9-10