ENC 1102 FIU Wk2 How Not to Outlaw Abortion Article Discussion This post is the first in a series of discussions that you will complete that count as part

ENC 1102 FIU Wk2 How Not to Outlaw Abortion Article Discussion This post is the first in a series of discussions that you will complete that count as part of your first project grade. Each post will build on the previous one.

STEP 1: Find an opinion article or persuasive source that is relevant to/about the movement or organization that you want to work on for this project. For example, revisit the assignment sheet for this project. As you can see in the table at the bottom of the sheet, if you were interested in March for Our Lives, you could look for an article that is relevant to or about “March for Our Lives.” Note: You cannot use “March for Our Lives” for your project, since it was given as an example.

A good place to start could be the Op-Ed/ Opinion section of a newspaper. For example, if you go to the NYTimes or the Washington Post website, you can go to the “Opinion” section, then use the search bar to search the Opinion section for a particular topic. (Opinion pieces will often say something like “Op-Ed, Opinion, Editorial,” somewhere on the page.) You don’t have to use an Op-Ed– just make sure you pick an text that makes an argument about something your chosen organization cares very much about or is involved in.

You’ve already submitted a topic proposal for this topic, so try to stick to that topic.

STEP 2: Once you’ve identified an article to work with, read the article/text and then write a rhetorical summary. To help you write a rhetorical summary, see Guiding Questions for Rhetorical Summaries below. However, do not write your summary as a list of bulleted answers–write your summary in paragraph form. Your summary should be at least 250 words long and should answer the questions provided. Remember that this post will lay the foundation for the next post, so it’s important that you consider all the questions provided.

When you are done, post both the link to the text, with your rhetorical summary below that.

Guiding Questions For Researching Rhetorically:

Please use specific examples from the text to support your analysis. Here are some questions to consider.

First, identify the author (first name and last name) and title of the piece and where/when it was published. Then identify the core idea of the author’s argument, along with information on what they’re arguing and how they’re making their argument. Your summary should remain an objective report of the article/text, without your commentary or opinion of the author’s argument/information.
Who is the audience for the text and what was the author’s purpose? Remember that the audience cannot be “everyone”. (For example, does the audience belong to a particular age group? To a specific geographical location? A political affiliation? A specific career or degree of knowledge? Look for clues in the text as to who the writer is writing for.) What is the writer responding to? What do you know about the author/place of publication?
How does the writer use evidence/information? Is the evidence/information reliable? Why or why not?
What is the level of bias or degree of advocacy in the medium where this article was published? For example, a newspaper or website might believe something very strongly, to the point that they are very selective in the information they share, or they might be trying to be “neutral”. If you look into the newspaper/website/etc, you might get clues. What might you say are the medium’s values? For example, for an article, you might read the Wikipedia page to learn more about the magazine or newspaper in which it is published. For a social media post, you might click on the profile and see if the other posts indicate a bias. For a website, you might look at the “about page” or read other perspectives on this website. Try to understand if this author is advocating a specific position (or is “neutral”) and/or if the place where this source was published advocates a position (or is “neutral”).
Look at the WAY the author makes the argument. What stylistic choices does the author make? What content choices? What choices regarding images, layout, etc? How do such choices relate to their rhetorical purpose/s? For example, how do their choices help develop their ethos? How do the choices support their argument? How do their choices help them connect with the audience?

Grading Criteria for this Post:

Here is a link to example posts by a student in a former class. In the margins, the instructor points out what the post does well. Notice how the student meets the following criteria, by which you will be graded for this post:

Responds in detail to the specific prompt, including choosing an appropriate text to discuss
Show in-depth engagement with text(s) related to a specific conversation, including thoroughly addressing the provided guiding questions
Make specific references to the text(s) for support
The writing is organized and polished showing evidence of audience consideration, and an effective proofreading and editing process.
Rubric

Researching Rhetorically Posts Rubric (1) (1)

Researching Rhetorically Posts Rubric (1) (1)

Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResponds in detail to the specific prompt, including choosing an appropriate text to discuss

3.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShow in-depth engagement with text(s) related to a specific conversation, including thoroughly addressing the provided guiding questions

5.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMake specific references to the text(s) for support

4.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe writing is organized and polished showing evidence of audience consideration, and an effective proofreading and editing process.

3.0 pts

Total Points: 15.0

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