3. WHAT ARE THE WRITER’S ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE AUDIENCE?

26 Jun 3. WHAT ARE THE WRITER’S ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE AUDIENCE?

ritical Analysis Essay.

I am tasked with writing this short critical analysis of this article. I will provide the reading material which is a from the Norton Reader and is on page 272 to 273 and is only 1 1/2 pages long This paper is to be in MLA format and based on the information below.

CRITICAL READING:

-Identify the author’s thesis/purpose

-Outline the work or write a description of it

-Summarize the work

-Determine the purpose of the work and evaluate the means by which the author has

accomplished this purpose:

-To inform with factual material?

(Has the material been presented clearly, accurately, with order and

coherence?

-To persuade with appeal to reason or emotion?

(Is there evidence, logical reasoning, contrary evidence?)

-To entertain (affecting emotion?)

(How are the emotions affected? Does it make the reader laugh, cry, get

angry? Why and how does it affect the reader this way?)

Consider the following questions:

1. How is the material organized?

2. Who is the intended audience?

3. What are the writer’s assumptions about the audience?

4. What kind of language and imagery does the author use?

SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR CRITICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY

I. Background information on author and essay to help readers understand the nature of the

work.

A. Title and author

B. Publication Information

C. Statement of Topic/Purpose

II. Thesis Statement indicating the writer’s (YOUR) main reaction to the work.

III. Summary/Description of the work

IV. Interpretation and Evaluation

a. Organization

b. Style

c. Effectiveness

d. Treatment of Topic

e. Appeal to a Particular Audience

V. Conclusion

Tips to remember when writing:

-Avoid using first person. Do not introduce your ideas by stating “I think,” or “In my

opinion.” Keep the focus on the subject of your analysis, not on yourself. Identifying your

opinions weakens them. For example: instead of writing “I thought the piece was a good

example of…” use “the piece was a good example of…” YOU are the author. The reader

already knows and assumes that is your opinion.

-Always introduce the work. Do not assume your reading knows what you are writing

about; therefore does not need to know the title and the author. Assume your reader knows

nothing about the piece you are writing about.

-Is there controversy surrounding the subject? The author?

-Overall value of the piece?

-Strength and Weaknesses of the piece?

-Support your thesis with detailed evidence from the text. Do not forget to document

quotes and paraphrases. Acknowledge your sources.

-Be open-minded, well-informed and fair. Express your opinions, but back them up with