Module 3: Applying Analysis

Module 3: Applying Analysis

In this module, you will review analytical strategies and create a writing plan using the elements of a critical analysis.

3-1 Reading: Preparing for Your Writing Plan

Reading: Preparing for Your Writing Plan

As you learned in previous modules, developing analysis skills is an

important step in becoming a strong reader and writer. Your Writing

Notes in Module One helped you to complete a literal reading

analysis of your selected reading. In Module Two, you used active

reading strategies to complete a deeper analysis of a sample text.

Both of these activities will now help you engage in the process of

critical analysis.

Critical analysis is the process of studying a text and evaluating the

author's claim, also known as their main argument. When completing

a critical analysis of a text, you look closely at what the author says/nIn this module, you will review analytical strategies and create a writing plan using the elements of a critical analysis.

3-1 Reading: Preparing for Your Writing Plan

Reading: Preparing for Your Writing Plan

As you learned in previous modules, developing analysis skills is an

important step in becoming a strong reader and writer. Your Writing

Notes in Module One helped you to complete a literal reading

analysis of your selected reading. In Module Two, you used active

reading strategies to complete a deeper analysis of a sample text.

Both of these activities will now help you engage in the process of

critical analysis.

Critical analysis is the process of studying a text and evaluating the

author's claim, also known as their main argument. When completing

a critical analysis of a text, you look closely at what the author says

and how they are saying it. You explore both the strengths and the

weaknesses of the argument. Ultimately, your goal is to form an

opinion or evaluation of the author's claim and then present your

analysis of the work in the form of a written essay. Critical analysis

essays are written in the third person. Avoid using "I," "you," and

"we."

The Critical Analysis Essay

Your critical analysis essay will build on your responses from your Writing Notes from Module One. You should take some time

to review your notes to help prepare you for the upcoming assignment.

When writing this essay, you will consider something like these questions:

• What is the author's claim?

Copyright © 2023 MindEdge Inc. All rights reserved. Duplication prohibited.

• Can you find key points that the author uses to support their claim?

Who is the author's target audience?/nCan you find key points that the author uses to support their claim?

• Who is the author's target audience?

• What choices does the author make within their writing to connect with this target audience?

• Is the author's claim or argument strong or weak?

State Your Opinion Clearly

Do not be shy about stating your opinion about the author's claim. Be clear with your opinion. This opinion will be the

starting point for your essay.

Use Evidence

Support your opinion with detailed evidence from the text in the form of key points, which means that you will quote,

paraphrase, and summarize direct phrases and sentences from the selected reading throughout your essay. (More

information about using quotations, paraphrases, and summaries is available in Module Four.)

Focus on the Text

Avoid using phrases like "I think" or "in my opinion." Your audience can assume these points are your thoughts and

opinions since you are writing the essay. Also, avoid using personal experience as evidence. Focus instead on

supporting your opinion of the reading with key points from the text.

Be Open to Revision

One of the most important steps in the writing process is the final one-revision and editing. When you revise your

essay, you will use feedback from your instructor to improve your argument. You will work on strengthening the

organization of your ideas, making your sentences clearer and easier to understand, and increasing the overall

effectiveness of your writing.

Remember that your essay will focus on your previously selected reading. Check thelibrary guide to access another copy of

your text.

3-2 Assignment: Writing Plan (GRADED)

Assignment: Writing Plan (GRADED)

In Module One, you did a literal reading of

your selected reading. In Module Two, you

learned some active reading strategies and

applied critical analysis. Finally, you identified

some important features of your selected

reading and evaluated the author's purpose

for writing. Now you will take a step further to

identify the author's claim.

Now it is time to start the planning phase of

your Critical Analysis Essay that is due in/nyour selected reading. In Module Iwo, you

learned some active reading strategies and

applied critical analysis. Finally, you identified

some important features of your selected

reading and evaluated the author's purpose

for writing. Now you will take a step further to

identify the author's claim.

Now it is time to start the planning phase of

your Critical Analysis Essay that is due in

Module Seven. This week, you will answer

some questions that will guide you through a

closer analysis of your selected reading from

Module One. Next, you will use the analysis

strategies you practiced in Module Two to

learn more about the meaning of your

reading. Finally, by answering these

questions, you will complete the first step in

the writing process: a Writing Plan.

The assignment below will ask you to consider your selected reading and how it relates to the following critical elements:

• author's claim

• author's key points

Copyright © 2023 MindEdge Inc. All rights reserved. Duplication prohibited.

• author's audience

• author's connection to the audience

your evaluation

If you need a copy of your reading, refer to the library guide for this course. You will continue to work with your selected reading

throughout the course.

Follow the guidelines and rubric in Brightspace to submit your assignment.

Assignment Guidelines and Rubric

Please note, this assignment will be submitted via Brightspace.

Be certain to check the library guide for assignment submission examples.

Overview

To complete this assignment, do an active reading of your selected reading using the reviewed analysis techniques. Be sure to

take notos Next you will make a plan for writing your critical analysis essay which will guide you through the first stone of/nAssignment Guidelines and Rubric

Please note, this assignment will be submitted via Brightspace.

Be certain to check the library guide for assignment submission examples.

Overview

To complete this assignment, do an active reading of your selected reading using the reviewed analysis techniques. Be sure to

take notes. Next, you will make a plan for writing your critical analysis essay, which will guide you through the first steps of

drafting the critical analysis essay due in Module 7.

As you work on the Writing Plan, remember to refer to the assignment guidelines and rubric below to make certain you fulfill

each aspect of the assignment.

Prompt

For this Writing Plan, you will analyze your selected reading and state an opinion or evaluation about the author's claim. You will

then use evidence or key points from the selected reading to back up your evaluation.

Note: Remember to cite any works you use in your assignment. You will not be graded on the citations; the purpose is just to

make certain you are practicing using citations.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

1. What is the author's claim in the selected reading? In other words, what do you believe the author wants their audience

to learn or understand better once they have finished reading?

2. Have you identified new key points that the author uses to support their claim in the selected reading? If so, include them

here.

3. Describe the author's target audience: what group or groups of people is the author trying to reach with their message?

4. What choices does the author make within their writing to connect with this target audience?

5. Explain your evaluation of the author's claim: is the claim strong or weak? What evidence or key points from the writing

best support the author's claim? If you found the claim to be weak, explain why the evidence or key points provided did not

effectively support the author's claim.

Guidelines for Submission

Save your work in a Word document and include a page with references. It must be written in MLA or APA format. Use double

spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins.

This assignment will be submitted in Brightspace.

Module Three Assignment Rubric

Criteria

Author's

Proficient (100%)

Determines the author's claim

that will be addressed in the

Assignment Rubric

Needs Improvement (75%)

Shows progress toward proficiency, but

with errors or omissions; areas for

improvement may include more clarity in

Not Evident (0%)

Does not attempt criterion

Value

118