Analysis of Argument - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Analysis of Argument

A Guide for StudentsSlide2

The Task

Analyze how the author builds her argument. Look for

evidence (facts/statistics, examples)

reasoning (connecting evidence to claim)

stylistic or persuasive elements

appeals

word choiceSlide3

Intro Sentence

Two sentences. Use SOAPS and author’s claim:

Occasion

,

speaker

,

purpose

,

author’s claim

,

subject

.

In response to

our world’s growing reliance on artificial light

,

writer Paul Bogard

argues

that

natural darkness should be preserved

in

his article “Let there be dark.”Slide4

Your Claim

Using several rhetorical strategies,

(author’s last name)

effectively builds

(his/her)

argument

.

Using several rhetorical strategies, Bogard effectively builds his argument

.

Using personal anecdote, imagery, and allusion, Bogard effectively builds his argument. Slide5

In response to our world’s growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article “Let there be dark.”Using several rhetorical strategies, Bogard effectively builds his argument.Slide6

Intro is DONESlide7

Body Paragraph Structure

Topic sentence

: focus on one rhetorical strategy

Assertion

Evidence

Impact/reasoning

(this is the bulk of your essay)

*You will have 2-3 assertions per paragraph.Slide8

Topic Sentence

Stems

One important rhetorical strategy

(author’s last name)

uses is

(rhetorical strategy).

The most significant rhetorical strategy

(author’s last name)

employs is

(rhetorical strategy).

(Author’s last name)’s

use of

(rhetorical strategy)

is particularly significant to building

(his/her)

argument.Slide9

Examples

One important rhetorical strategy Bogard uses is allusion.

The most significant rhetorical strategy Bogard employs is personal anecdote.

Bogard’s use of allusion to art and history is particularly significant to building his argument.Slide10

Assertion

Verbs & Phrases (

(He/she)

builds

(his/her)

argument by

This evokes/to evoke

This reveals/to reveal

This emphasizes

This establishes

This creates a sense of

By emphasizing

This causes

The author challenges/ establishes/ illustrates

The author urges the readers to

The author draws on

*Remember, an assertion is something you MUST prove! It’s your argument.Slide11

Examples

Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time when they could fully immerse themselves in natural darkness…

He builds an argument for the preservation of natural darkness by reminiscing for his readers a first-hand encounter that proves the “irreplaceable value of darkness.”

Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in the dark sky is definite.

Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming. Slide12

Evidence:

Rhetorically Accurate Verbs

What moves does the author make?

The author DOES NOT quote. He/she:

Establishes

Asserts

Argues

Employs (uses)

Illustrates

Claims

Considers

Emphasizes

Declares

Ponders

QuestionsSlide13

Examples

Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story--a summer spent on a Minnesota lake…

Bogard alludes to Paris as “the famed city of light.”

He asks readers to consider, “what the vision…?”Slide14

Impact/Reasoning:

Why did you choose your evidence?

This will be the majority of your body paragraph.

Once you’ve made your assertion about how the author builds her argument and have provided evidence of this, answer:

How does the evidence you’ve selected tie to your assertion?

What impact does this rhetorical strategy have on readers?Slide15

Examples

This

anecdote

provides

a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author’s claim.

This

allusion

furthers the argument by showing how steps can and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution

…

Now let’s put it all together in one body paragraph…Slide16

Bogard’s argument is also furthered by his use of allusion to art – Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” – and modern history – Paris’ reputation as “The City of Light”.

By first referencing “Starry Night”, a painting generally considered to be undoubtedly beautiful,

Bogard

establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite

.

A world absent of excess artificial light could potentially hold the key to a grand, glorious night sky like Van Gogh’s according to the writer.

This urges the readers to weigh the disadvantages of our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting.

Furthermore,

Bogard’s

alludes to Paris as “the famed ‘city of light’”.

He then goes on to state how Paris has taken steps to exercise more sustainable lighting practices

.

By doing this,

Bogard

creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming – no longer “the city of light”, but

moreso

“the city of light…before 2 AM”. This furthers his line of argumentation because it shows how steps can be and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution in a manner that preserves the beauty of both the city itself and the universe as a whole.Slide17

Conclusion: Two Approaches

Restate the intro in a

fresh

way:

Writing as a reaction to his disappointment that artificial light has largely permeated the presence of natural darkness, Paul Bogard argues that we must preserve true, unaffected darkness. He builds his claim by making use of several rhetorical strategies.Slide18

Conclusion: Two Approaches

Tell us the impact of this issue on our world:

2. We can still save our world according to Bogard. We must see the strength and beauty in the darkness, and remember how our world survived without lights. Light can be acceptable, but too much of it can prove worse than permanent darkness.