Argument Analysis Work Book
Essay by Mitch Nug • October 23, 2018 • Study Guide • 3,498 Words (14 Pages) • 679 Views
Argument Analysis Master Document
Introduction- Multiple texts
In the light of a recent spate of (event), ongoing societal regarding the issue of (issue) has once again been brought to the forefront of our collective conscience through views espoused in the Australian media in newsprint and online. Those directly effected by the issue such as (Stakeholders) and (Stakeholders 2) as well as readers of certain online and circulated media are urged to (Authors ideal), and this directly affects/challenges our Australian/human values of (Aus values) which ultimately impacts Australia’s reputation on an international stage as well. The debate stemming from (issue) ranges from that posited in (A1 title) to that posited in (A2 title) and is incorporated also in (Image), and the (articles/blogs/political cartoons) below provide a (snapshot/overview) of the perspectives shown.
Introduction- single text
In the light of a recent spate of (event), ongoing societal regarding the issue of (issue) has once again been brought to the forefront of our collective conscience through views espoused in the Australian media in newsprint and online. (Author) has written a (form) piece for (newspaper/medium), entitled (title), published on (date) and in a (positive/negative/passive/aggressive) tone contends that (contention). Those directly effected by the issue such as (Stakeholders) and (Stakeholders 2) as well as readers of certain online and circulated media are urged to (Authors ideal), and this directly affects/challenges our Australian/human values of (Aus values) which ultimately impacts Australia’s reputation on an international stage as well. From the outset, (author’s) title establishes a (tone) tone intimated in its (lit device) and from here (she/he) launches into her first supporting argument that (Arg 1).
Australian/human values:
- Mateship (cannot be used for human)
- Morality
- Justice
- Equality
- Prosperity
- Peace
Multi text tips
Each body pg should be about each article.
Start body pg with text details:
- (Author) has written a (form) piece for (newspaper/medium), entitled (title), published on (date) and in a (positive/negative/passive/aggressive) tone contends that (contention).
Longest articles first with 3 arguments
Second longest second with at least 2
Third longest or cartoon last with just one but cartoon should just have 3 devices at least.
Don’t worry about conclusion
Article types
Opinion piece/commentary
Presented in public to widen debate; sometimes it will give both sides like an editorial, sometimes the opinions can be one sides, quite scathing usually.
Tones:
Authoritative- formal
Assertive- formal
Confident- formal
Reflective- depends
Casual- informal
Chatty- informal
Trustworthy- depends
Authorial intent- To assist the readers logic/ To align the readership with his idealogy.
Editorial
Created to convey authority about the groups moral stance on an issue. It states or implies moral grounds for the point of view. Often establishes a sense of fairness and usually or almost always in a formal register. Same authorial intent as an opinion piece
Tones
Authoritative
Informed
Trustworthy
Reasonable
Calm
Objective
Cartoons
A visual commentary on issue representing a point of view, just as an opinion piece or letter to the editor does.
Tones | Visual features |
Satirical | Verbal caption |
Sarcastic | Sense of colour |
Humorous | Focal point |
Critical | Sense of irony |
Subversive | Facial expression |
Use of symbolism (metaphorical) | |
Use of speech bubbles | |
Use of proportions/disproportion |
ANALYSING ARGUMENT ESSAY TEMPLATE
Goal/ to-do list | Sample sentences | |
Topic Sentences | - Introduce the focus for that paragraph (ideally a key idea that is present in multiple texts) - Can be specific to one text, mention both, or just address the idea in general (all three of these cases are listed on the right) | - Throughout the article, >author< seeks to position the new law as a source of tension within the community. - Both >author 1< and >author 2< foreground the notion of honesty as a necessary trait for politicians. - The question of whether the town requires an additional sports facility is a rather contentious issue amongst local residents. |
Body Paragraphs | - Quote, Explain, and Analyse!! - WHAT language is being used? - HOW are readers made to think/feel/believe? - WHY does this contribute to the author’s argument? | - The use of the word/phrase “quote,” with its connotations of… is designed to elicit feelings of… This forms part of the author’s attempt to position… - The author’s avowal that “quote” is intended to engender reader’s sympathies and thus compel them to support… |
Visual Analysis & Comparative Analysis | - Transition to the visual or other text with a clear linking phrase - From there, just focus on analysing the second text (i.e. don’t keep jumping back and forth) | - This depiction of politicians as malicious is also reinforced in the accompanying visual… - Likewise, >author 2<’s piece also critiques the government’s stance… - However, >author 2< adopts a different approach, instead declaring that… - This stands in contrast to the argument of >author 2< who suggests… |
Concluding Sentences | - Link the key idea you’ve been talking about back to the authors’ overall contentions - OR, if you’ve been talking about multiple authors, just comment on the general effect they’ve each had - Use a ‘zooming out’ word like thus/therefore/hence/to this end… | - Thus, the author’s portrayal of X as Y strengthens his suggestion that… - Hence, readers of >author 1<’s piece are made to feel… whereas >author 2<’s readership are instead encouraged to… |
Conclusions | - Revisit contentions - Provide general comments about overarching similarities/differences between pieces - Say something about the authors’ overall intentions, or the general reader response they’re going for | - Therefore, where >author 1< argues that… >author 2< instead implies that… - By doing X, the author seeks to elicit Y - To this end, both authors attempt to… |
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