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 the recent killings of young minorities, writer Paul Bogard argues that the public must be better educated on the reality many African American teens face in his article on inequality “Let There be Light.”

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 the recent killings of young minorities, writer Paul Bogard argues that the public must be greater educated on the reality many African American teens face in his article “Let There be Light.” 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. Annotate the article from yesterday...
Focus on the strategies the author uses:
Appeals: Credibility, Emotional, Logical
Diction: Emotionally-charged words can he extremely effective.
Analogies (or comparisons in general)
Anecdote: Was there a story told?
Figurative Language
Use of repetition: If they repeat it often enough, people tend to believe it. Also, repetition aids memory recall.
Cause-effect argumentation (if this happens, then....)
Tone (consider how effective it can be)

11. 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.

12. Examples
Bogard challenges the audience to remember the struggles during the Civil Rights Movement…
He builds an argument for Black Lives Matter by reminiscing on a personal encounter that proves the “irreplaceable value of young minorities.”

13. 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

14. Examples
Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story--a summer spent in the ghettos of Harlem…
Bogard alludes to New Orleans as a modern day national emergency...
He asks readers to consider, “what the vision of a equal society would be…?”

15. 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?

16. Examples
This allusion furthers the argument by showing how often minorities are targeted in society and the long-term effects on young Americans living in urban areas. It shows that even in a country as progressive as the United States, many civil rights issues regarding inequality can be seen.

17. Conclusion: Two Approaches
Restate the intro in a fresh way:
Writing as a reaction to his disappointment felt after many killings of innocent minorities, Bogard has showcased the importance of acceptance and understanding. Paul Bogard argues that we must preserve true, unaffected lightness toward these issues. He builds his claim by making use of several rhetorical strategies.

18. Conclusion: Two Approaches
Tell us the impact of this issue on our world:
2. We can still save our society according to Bogard. We must see the strength and beauty of an all inclusive world, and remember what our past generations have suffered due to racism. Equality can be achieved through understanding and acceptance.