Essay 1: Critical Analysis Essay Guidelines

This class is all about studying, analyzing, and learning how to construct sound, effective arguments. So far, weve looked at the art of rhetoric (persuasion) through logos, pathos, and ethos, different logical strategies such as inductive and deductive reasoning, and various styles of argumentationRogerian and Aristotelian.

But before we craft our own, original arguments, I want us to first practice how to dissect anothers argument, interpret it on a deep, critical level, and write a unique essay that argues for said interpretation that demonstrates a thorough understanding of the original argument youre responding to. This will help you learn the formal and rhetorical components of argumentative writing and engage with close-reading analytical practice.

This critical analysis essay will require you to evaluate and interpret someone elses argument. You will write an essay that argues for your unique, original interpretation of their argument and also evaluates the effectiveness of the original argument. The essay should not merely be a summary of the original argument, and the tone of the essay should certainly not be neutral. As Ive specified before, all your writing in this class should be biased, multipartial, as that is the nature of rhetoric. Of course, on some level, you will have to summarize the original argument in your essay. However, this summary should not be neutral-toned. Summarizing involves emphasizing and leaving out certain aspects, and most importantly, what you choose to emphasize and leave out signals a specific position/interpretation of what youre summarizing.

The argument you will be evaluating and interpreting is

. We will watch the video in class, followed by an assignment to help dissect, understand, and analyze Ekmans argument; this activity will help you begin to evaluate the effectiveness of her argument and construct a unique interpretation for your essay. No outside sources in this essay are allowed, as they are not needed for your argument.

Prompt: Interpret Kajsa Ekis Ekmans argument on capitalism and evaluate the effectiveness of her argument in a minimum 3 12-page essay in MLA format.

Guidelines:

• Essay must be in MLA format, meaning it should be double-spaced, left-aligned with the first line of each paragraph indented, have an original title that reflects the essays content, last name and page numbers on the top right, in-text citations for any quotes or paraphrases, and a Works Cited page. Note that your only source for this essay will be the video.
• I will not accept essays that do not adhere to MLA style guidelines
• The length of the essay must be at least 3 12 pages or approximately 875ish words minimum.
• There should be at least four in-text citations in your essay.
• Again, no outside sources in this essay are allowed. You are only interpreting and evaluating someone elses argument, so outside sources are not necessary.
• The essay must not be neutral. As Ive said before, all your writing in this class should be biased, as that is the nature of rhetoric; you are trying to persuade your audience, which naturally requires a stance.
• Neutrality is a very common indicator of AI usage, which will result in a failing grade.

Your formal writing grade for this unit will be composed of your process work, your first draft, and your final draft, totaling 150 points altogether.

Tentative Thesis Statement: 10 points

First Draft: 20 points

Final Draft: 120 points

Dimensional RubricCriteria

Dimensional Analysis QuestionsPointsIntroduction: Your introduction paragraph should provide necessary context and background on the topic of your essay, as well as introduce your reader to the themes, priming them to the ideas in the essay. It should “funnel” your reader in thinking to your specific thesis statement. Your introduction paragraph should also establish your thesis and larger purpose.

Does the introduction establish important context and background on the topic and argument for the reader?

Does the introduction introduce the reader to the ideas, themes, and content of the essay effectively?

Is there a thesis statement, and does the introduction transition to the thesis seamlessly and effectively by “funneling” the reader in thought, going from general to specific?

Total Points = 10 pointsThesis Statement: An effective thesis statement will concisely, specifically express the main idea of your interpretation and your evaluation of Ekman’s argument, and describe 23 reasons to support your interpretation/evaluation in 12 sentences. It should be clear, complex, and specific.

Is the thesis statement specific, concise, and complex?

Does it contain a main idea of a unique, original interpretation of Ekman’s argument?

Does it contain a position that evaluates the effectiveness of Ekman’s argument?

Does the thesis statement give 23 reasons to support the interpretation/evaluation?

Total Points = 10 pointsBody Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should be developed and substantial with a clear topic sentence, along with relevant evidence that’s correctly cited, and an analysis of the evidence, how it supports/connects to the topic sentence, and the broader thesis statement, thus following the PIE paragraph structure.

Is each body paragraph thoroughly developed using the PIE strategy?

Is there a balance between evidence and analysis in the body paragraphs?

Is the evidence integrated, blended into the writing of the essay?

Are the analysis portions of the paragraphs developed?

Total Points = 15 pointsEvidence & Analysis: The evidence in this essay will come only from the video. You should be quoting directly from the video, engaging critically with quotes and broader evidence to develop your argument. The analysis of the evidence should be developed through deep engagement and demonstrate critical thinking and understanding of the author’s argument.

Keep in mind that an essential part of this essay is providing a unique, original interpretation of your chosen article. This interpretation must go beyond a surface-level reading and engage deeply with the text, displaying critical thinking.

Are there a minimum of 3 direct quotations or paraphrases used from the video?

Is the evidence relevant and directly supportive of the point being made and larger thesis statement?

Does the analysis provide an interpretation of the evidence that is not surface-level and a connection to the topic sentence and larger thesis statement?

Total Points = 20 pointsOrganization & Structure: The sequence of the paragraphs should have a logical flow to develop your argument gradually for your reader, thus providing a well-organized overall structure for your essay. There should be use of transition phrases to help connect the ideas together and help make your essay as a whole cohesive.

Is there a logical flow and sequence to the body paragraphs?

Are there transitions between and within paragraphs to help bridge and connect the main ideas of the argument together?

Does the overall structure of the essay make the essay feel cohesive?

Total Points = 10 pointsClarity & Readability: Your sentences should be well-constructed and the errors in your writing, minimal. I will not be looking at how grammatically correct your essay is, but rather how understandable and effective your words are in conveying your ideas and thinking.

Is the writing clear, readable, and understandable?

Did the writing effectively communicate the ideas of the essay?

Total Points = 10 pointsCreativity, Original Thinking, Style: For this criterion, I’ll be looking at how you approach the topic and the perspective you approach it from. Everyone thinks differently. Therefore, how you write about this specific topic won’t be the same as I would, and vice versa. Mostly, I’ll be looking for any glimpse of AI-generated writing. Everyone has a distinct writing voice, too. Therefore, the style of your essay should be distinct as well.

What is the writing style of this essay?

Does the essay demonstrate a unique perspective and approach to the topic?

Does the essay display creativity and original thinking in its writing, form, structure, presentation, etc.?

Total Points = 20 pointsConclusion: I get that conclusions are difficult to write. Mainly what I’ll be looking for is a brief, concise review of the main points of your argument, a restatement of your thesis (in a new way), and some kind of exploration of the broader significance of your argument. For example, why is the discussion in your paper so important? Basically, so what? Your conclusion should leave the reader with some kind of resonant thought, whether it’s a call-to-action or a thought-provoking idea or profound statement.

Does the conclusion provide a brief review of the main points of the argument?

Is there a restatement of the thesis in a new way?

Does the conclusion end the essay cohesively and effectively?

How is the conclusion resonant?

Total Points = 10 pointsMLA Formatting: This is basically how your paper looks. There should be a proper header on the first page and a unique title, formatted page numbers on the top right of every page, the writing should be double-spaced with 12-point font, a Works Cited page, and correct citations.

Does the essay follow proper MLA guidelines, header, page numbers, citations, etc.?Total Points = 15 pointsTotal: 120 points Thesis Statement:

• How is your thesis statement clear, concise, direct, straight-forward, and complex?
• Does your thesis statement reflect a deeper purpose for your essay? What is the purpose of your essay? In other words, what do you want your reader to do or think after reading?

Body Paragraphs:

• How many body paragraphs do you have, and does each body paragraph contain a specific point and a topic sentence that expresses that point?
• Do your points and topic sentences relate to your thesis statement? How?
• Have you integrated your information/evidence effectively into your writing? Do you have signal phrases to introduce your quotes, or incorporate the quotes grammatically into your own writing, or have a complete sentence and a colon preceding your quotes?
• Do you have proper in-text, parenthetical citations for every quote and do they follow MLA guidelines?
• Do you analyze your evidence by explaining how your evidence supports your point and larger thesis statement? How long is your analysis? Is it the largest part of your paragraph?

MLA Formatting

• Does your first page, and only your first page, have a header on the top left that has your full name, the professors name, the course title, and the date? Does every page have your last name and page number?
• Is your title unique and non-generic? Does your essay have a unique title that reflects the essay content?
• Is your text double-spaced and 12-point font? Is every paragraph indented?
• Are the sources in your Works Cited list alphabetized, formatted in hanging indents, and follows MLA guidelines for what kind of source it is?

Rubric

Essay 1: Critical Analysis Essay

Essay 1: Critical Analysis Essay

CriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Introduction

Your introduction paragraph should provide necessary context and background on the topic of your essay, as well as introduce your reader to the themes, priming them to the ideas in the essay. It should “funnel” your reader in thinking to your specific thesis statement. Your introduction paragraph should also establish your thesis and larger purpose.

10 to >7.0 pts

Excellent

7 to >4.0 pts

Almost there

4 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Thesis Statement

An effective thesis statement will concisely, specifically express the main idea of your interpretation and your evaluation of Ekman’s argument, and describe 23 reasons to support your interpretation/evaluation in 12 sentences. It should be clear, complex, and specific.

10 to >7.0 pts

Excellent

7 to >4.0 pts

Almost there

4 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should be developed and substantial with a clear topic sentence, along with relevant evidence that’s correctly cited, and an analysis of the evidence, how it supports/connects to the topic sentence, and the broader thesis statement, thus following the PIE paragraph structure.

15 to >10.0 pts

Excellent

10 to >5.0 pts

Almost there

5 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

15 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Evidence & Analysis

The evidence in this essay will come only from the video. You should be quoting directly from the video, engaging critically with quotes and broader evidence to develop your argument. The analysis of the evidence should be developed through deep engagement and demonstrate critical thinking and understanding of the author’s argument.

Keep in mind that an essential part of this essay is providing a unique, original interpretation of Ekman’s argument. This interpretation must go beyond a surface-level reading and engage deeply with the text, displaying critical thinking.

20 to >16.0 pts

Excellent

16 to >10.0 pts

Almost there

10 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Organization & Structure

The sequence of the paragraphs should have a logical flow to develop your argument gradually for your reader, thus providing a well-organized overall structure for your essay. There should be use of transition phrases to help connect the ideas together and help make your essay as a whole cohesive.

10 to >8.0 pts

Excellent

8 to >5.0 pts

Almost there

5 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Clarity & Readability

Your sentences should be well-constructed and the errors in your writing, minimal. I will not be looking at how grammatically correct your essay is, but rather how understandable and effective your words are in conveying your ideas and thinking.

10 to >8.0 pts

Excellent

8 to >5.0 pts

Almost there

5 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Creativity, Original Thinking, & Style

For this criterion, I’ll be looking at how you approach the topic and the perspective you approach it from. Everyone thinks differently. Therefore, how you write about this specific topic won’t be the same as I would, and vice versa. Mostly, I’ll be looking for any glimpse of AI-generated writing. Everyone has a distinct writing voice, too. Therefore, the style of your essay should be distinct as well.

20 to >16.0 pts

Excellent

16 to >10.0 pts

Almost there

10 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Conclusion

I get that conclusions are difficult to write. Mainly what I’ll be looking for is a brief, concise review of the main points of your argument, a restatement of your thesis (in a new way), and some kind of exploration of the broader significance of your argument. For example, why is the discussion in your paper so important? Basically, so what? Your conclusion should leave the reader with some kind of resonant thought, whether it’s a call-to-action or a thought-provoking idea or profound statement.

10 to >7.0 pts

Excellent

7 to >4.0 pts

Almost there

4 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

MLA Formatting

This is basically how your paper looks. There should be a proper header on the first page and a unique title, formatted page numbers on the top right of every page, the writing should be double-spaced with 12-point font, a Works Cited page, and correct citations.

15 to >10.0 pts

Excellent

10 to >5.0 pts

Almost there

5 to >0 pts

Needs major improvement

15 pts

Total Points: 120

Ive attached the transcript of what the critical analysis essay is based on, as well as my thesis that support and give my side of the argument, i dont mind if you change it a slight bit just as long as it looks relatively the same