1. Analysis of Argument
A Guide for Students

2. 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 choice

3. Two sentences. Use SOAPS and author’s claim:
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.”

4. Your Claim
Using several rhetorical strategies, (author’s last name) effectively builds (his/her) argument.
Using several rhetorical strategies, Bogard effectively builds his argument.

5. 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.

6. Intro is DONE

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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
Questions

13. 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…?”

14. 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?

15. 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…

16. 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.

17. 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.