should not include more than one in-text citation per paragraph, and the conclusion should contain no citations. In addition, only one short quote and one long quote are allowed per essay.
The essay should be 4-5 pages (not counting the cover sheet) in MLA style(opens in a new tab).
You will be required to cite at least two sources for this essay (the text you’re analyzing and at least one source to support your analysis).
the essay must follow MLA formatting guidelines, including in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
essay will need to include one outside source in addition to the text itself
make sure to keep things cleanpublication is part of the writing process, so any item you analyze should be publishable and researchable.
needs strong thesis statment.
Make sure to logically transition between ideas.
Stay on topic and let your thesis be your guide.
Each paragraph should have a strong topic sentence to ease transition between elements.
Avoid summary in favor of clear, specific examples.
Make sure to cite all sources in MLA format.
Don’t hurt your own ethos as a writer…
sample outline might look like this:
Introduction
Summarize the text being critiqued
Discuss the author and their background
Discuss issues related to the audience and the appeals
Discuss specific elements that relate back to the points about the audience
Discuss what others have said about the text
Conclude
analyze the features of the text you’re analyzing. Keep the following questions in mind as you read:
Who is the author? Does s/he have credibility to discuss the topic? Is there apparent bias? Is an institution sponsoring him/her, and if so, what does that institution represent?
What is the thesis, and what is the overall argument the author presents?
What did the author choose to study? Why?
What is the writer’s purpose? To inform? To persuade? To criticize?
Who is the author’s intended audience? Does s/he appeal to a resistant audience? A Neutral audience? Or is s/he “preaching to the choir?”
What appeal(s) are applied (ethos, pathos, logos, or a combination)?
How does the writer arrange his or her ideas? Does the author use inductive or deductive reasoning in structuring the argument?
Did you note any fallacies as you read? Is so, which ones?
How does the writer use diction? (Word choice, arrangement, accuracy, is it formal, informal? Technical versus slang?)
Does the writer use dialogue? Quotations? Statistics? Why or why not?
What have others said about this text? Some databases like Opposing Viewpoints will automatically share related articles. If you find an article online, you can search for more information (for example, the student with an interest in video games might search Video Game Violence Reactions).
Please note: If your essay just answers these questions, it will not get a good grade! These questions are designed to be a guide for notetaking!
Focus on rhetorical features
Focus on audience
Focus on interaction of elements
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