Wisneski
ENG 102

Essay 1: Beginning Work

E-MAIL ME YOUR RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS1-6, either in the body of the e-mail or as an attachment: r.wisneski@csuohio.edu BY FRIDAY, FEB.4 AT 3 P.M.

Make sure that you do ALL of these questions, and include it as part of your Essay Portfolio when the final draft is due. This activity must be completed and submitted as part of your portfolio.

1. State (1) the name of the author, (2) the title of the article, in "" marks, (3) the ORIGINAL date of publication, and (4) ALL of the page numbers
2. State who the writer’s TARGET audience is. In other words, state for whom this article is specifically intended. Do not say, "for anyone with an interest in this subject" or "for a general audience." Be specific. To whom exactly is the writer trying to speak?
3. State in a few sentences why you chose this particular article, other than the fact that you had to do so, and beyond the “because I think it’s interesting” response. Be specific. What is there exactly about this article that you think is interesting or important?
4. State in one sentence the article’s main topic. What is the article generally discussing?
5. State in one or two sentences the writer’s thesis, or what he/she is saying about this topic
6. State THREE (3) specific points or issues the writers makes in the body of the essay, at different parts in the body of the essay (in other words, do not take all your points from just one or a couple pages). (1) Paraphrase these points; do not directly quote the writer, and (2) give the page number for each of the three points.
7. Take one particular point the writer makes. State in your own words what the point is. Then, explain in one or two paragraphs (meaning more than 2 or 3 sentences) how the writer supports the point. Be specific. If the writer uses statistics, for example, state what statistics exactly the writer uses. Or, if the writer uses examples, state exactly what these examples are.
8. In one or two paragraphs, react to how the writer defends this point. Does the writer support the point well? If so, how so exactly? What makes the defense strong? If not, why not exactly? What makes the defense weak?
9. Find TWO (2) of the following 4 elements in the essay. Write down (1) what the element is, and (2) the page number(s) on which the elements are located at least twice in the article: use of examples, use of sources, use of data, and addressing other viewpoints, ideas, or opinions. Then, answer these questions for the appropriate elements:
• For sources: (1) Paraphrase one such instance in 3-4 sentences, and incorporate a quote in your paraphrase. (2) How scholarly are the sources? Are they experts, or uniformed? (3) Are the sources used to back up a claim or present another viewpoint? (4) How exactly do these sources adequately aid the writer’s discussion, or how do they fail to do so exactly?
• For data: (1) Paraphrase one such instance in 3-4 sentences, and incorporate a quote in your paraphrase. (2) Does the writer mention where he/she got the information? (3) How current are the data? (4) Does the writer mention any margins of error or shortcomings with the data? (5) How exactly do these data adequately aid the writer’s discussion, or how do they fail to do so exactly?
• For examples: (1) Paraphrase one such instance in 3-4 sentences, and incorporate a quote in your paraphrase. (2) Are the examples general or specific? In other words, do the examples talk about actual events and people, or are they fictional or arbitrary? (3) Are the examples only drawn from the writer’s own personal life? (4) How relevant are the examples? Are they really needed, and if so, why exactly, and if not, why not exactly?
• For other viewpoints: (1) Paraphrase one such instance in 3-4 sentences, and incorporate a quote in your paraphrase. (2) Does the writer use these other voices to give background information for his/her discussion, to qualify his/her stance, to attack his/her opponents, or any combination of these things? (3) Does the writer unfairly criticize anyone or give any side not enough consideration? (4) How exactly does the writer use other viewpoints or ideas strengthen her/his case, or fail to do so exactly?
10. Freewrite for 5 minutes on how the writer makes a strong case. What does the writer do to make a convincing case?
11. Freewrite for 5 minutes on how the writer’s case could be stronger, or how it might be flawed
12. Lastly, state your THESIS for your essay in one sentence. Say, “I will argue…” If you have time, try writing the entire first paragraph