Analyzing Ethos and Logos in a Text

Career-Readiness Skills

Critically Analyzing Ethos & Logos Assignment Career-Readiness Skills The following skills will be practiced and assessed in this assignment: Critical thinking Analysis, evaluation, awareness of process, and well-reasoned conclusion Communication Clarity and conciseness of ideas, audience and purpose, organization of thought Digital fluency Word processing, web navigation and information management on multiple platforms Professionalism Use of conventional citation style and specific formatting, avoidance of plagiarism Related Course Learning Outcomes Summarize the claims and their support within a text. Critique a variety of texts with attention to their purpose and rhetorical strategies. Cite sources applying consistent conventional citation practices. Assignment Objective You will analyze and evaluate the use of ethos and logos in one text. In doing so, you will broaden your insight related to one or more of the mindsets described below. An equity mindset enables us to create a fair, just and inclusive world. As equity-minded individuals, College graduates have a deep understanding of and respect for human diversity, interdependence, interconnectedness and cultural complexity. As global citizens, they act with empathy, compassion and humility to create equal opportunity for all individuals and communities. A systems thinking mindset enables us to effect real change by harnessing the interconnectedness of all things. As systems thinkers, College graduates approach situations by knowing the limits of their own knowledge and engaging multiple perspectives. They are curious, compassionate and courageous thinkers who actively break down silos and promote holistic, emergent problem-solving. A sustainability mindset enables us to think and act with our collective future in mind. As sustainability-minded individuals, College graduates lead by example. They promote sustainable practices in their professional and personal lives. They act responsibly in environmental, economic and social ways that protect our planet and contribute positively to the well-being of our communities. Instructions Write a short essay (approximately 400-600 words), in which you analyze and evaluate one of the assigned text options for its use of ethos and logos in persuading an audience. Your essay must include quotations and paraphrases from the text you are critiquing, but the majority of the essay must be your own writing and ideas, applying course concepts. Quotations and paraphrases should occupy NO MORE THAN 25 percent (%) of a paragraph. Please read all steps below before you begin. Please review “Sample Ethos & Logos Critical Analysis” Choose just ONE of the assigned text options available. You may focus on the same text that you used for your summary or pathos assignment OR choose a different text from the list. (TEXT  During your FIRST read/view: Determine the argument (process work = not to submit). If you focus on the same text as you did for the summary or pathos assignment, you will have already done this step. Tip: To solidify your understanding of the author’s argument, use reading strategies you’ve found helpful, such as annotating the text, outlining, or/and paraphrasing the thesis and support. Remember the thesis (central claim) and supporting claims must be arguable statements of opinion. Remember to look at the title and conclusion for clues to the central claim. Below are some questions that could be turned into arguable statements, depending on the text you’re analyzing: What does the author BELIEVE (argue, etc.) SHOULD BE DONE about ___ (topic X)? What does the author BELIEVE (insist, etc.) has been done right or wrong, etc.? What does the author BELIEVE is true about ___(topic X)? What does the author SUGGEST the audience do and why? During your SECOND read/view: Identify appeals to ethos and logos (more process work). Annotate (highlight/underline/note) various key phrases in the text as examples. Choose a couple examples of ethos and logos you’ve identified to use in your essay as textual evidence (quotes or paraphrases). Which ones do you feel you could analyze and evaluate most critically and effectively? Outline/draft as needed (more process work) to work towards a final draft of your essay, described in the next step. Write an essay of approximately 400-600 words, double-spaced that follows the basic structure and guidelines in the document, “Sample Ethos & Logos Critical Analysis.” (Make sure YOUR essay does NOT include comments – but do open and read the side comments in the sample as guidelines for you).” Be careful not to rely on the wording and content of samples too closely. Use your own unique writing style and unique explanation as you apply course concepts as follows. Analyze and evaluate the following in the examples