Class Homework for 4.21.11

Instead of a reading assignment this week, your homework for class will consist of bringing a hard copy of your draft to class with all of the following directions completed:

1. It's time to dust off those rhetorical analysis skills! But this time, you are going to be rhetorically analyzing your own argument instead of someone else's. To complete this part of the homework, identify the rhetorical devices you used in your argument. Underline or highlight places where you have used a pathos driven narrative, specific example, precedent, testimony, inductive or deductive reasoning, figurative language, etc. Be able to describe to someone what effect you think the strategies you have used will have on your audience (which means you must have a specific audience in mind). If you have a hard time finding any rhetorical strategies in your own essay, you have found a gap that needs to be revised. 
2. Identify and write out in a outline-style sentence list that briefly states the lines of reasoning you developed throughout your argument. If you cannot concisely identify the lines of reasoning, or if they do not build logically, you have identified a candidate for content revision. 
• Example: A. Establish that prairie dogs are in danger in X location. B. Establish the need to protect prairie dogs from harm for Y reason. C. Propose a solution, such as banning the housing development in X location and creating a prairie dog safe haven. 
3. Identify and underline or highlight your counter-arguments in a different color than you used on your rhetorical devices. On the back, answer the following questions: Have you presented a strong counter-argument? Do you have a source that supports that counter-argument, or is your information about the opposing view from one of your supporting sources? Do you provide a strong rebuttal?
4. Underline all of your source citations in a third color, then answer the following questions: Have you used one source or a few sources much more often than the others? Are these sources well integrated? Is their connection to your argument clear?
5. Finally, review your findings from this homework, as well as your grader commentary. Now make a list of your top three priorities for revision. Do you need to narrow your topic and strengthen your lines of reasoning? Do you need to find a few more strong sources so that you are not leaning on a few too much? Do you need to develop a counter-argument or incorporate common ground? Do you need to add rhetorical devices to strengthen the delivery of your argument? Decide what is lacking, and what will make your draft stronger and write your priority list on the back of your draft.