Directions: Part 1) Write a 2-3 page review of two articles discussing a topic from your discipline. One article should be from an academic journal, and they should both deal with the same topic. You will have to synthesize and summarize the information from both articles, and then explain how each article approached the topic. Your review should discuss rhetorical concepts and the content. Our previous assignments have focused primarily on the Key Rhetorical Concepts from our textbook. In this case, you should approach the text more holistically. Your review should acknowledge and deal with the content as well as the way that content is presented in the article. For example, if one article omits a fact that is present in the other article, that omission would be worth noting in your review. Be sure to find a topic that you can understand thoroughly. Try to avoid topics that are overly complex. While writing, also be sure that you understand the purpose your paper is trying to fulfill, and be aware of how your writing achieves that purpose. Your writing style should take into account who your audience is as well. Part 2) The second part of this project involves writing a 2-3 page analysis of your own writing style. You will analyze and try to understand the rhetorical choices you made while writing the article review. Questions to consider: 1) How did you decide what sources to use while writing the article? How did you determine the credibility of your sources? 2) How did you decide to organize your paper? Why did you organize it this way? 3) What kind of evidence does your paper use? Is it appropriate? Why or why not? 4) What kind of language does your paper use (formal/informal, simple/complex, descriptive, etc.)? Is it appropriate? Why or why not? 5) What kind of audience does your essay appeal to? What techniques do you use to appeal to this audience? Grading Criteria: Part 1: – Synthesis and summary of the information in both articles – Review of the article’s content (what kind of information do the articles have? Is the information specific or vague? Is it quantitative or qualitative? Does one article ignore any important information?) – Analysis and review of the article’s rhetoric/writing style – Advise your audience about the strengths and weaknesses of both articles. When would one article be more appropriate than the other one? Maybe one article is more informative and thorough, but the other one is easier to read. Part 2: – Thorough analysis of your own writing in Part 1 – Show understanding of why you made rhetorical choices – Explain how your rhetorical choices help your purpose and your intended audience
