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Reading Academic Essays

What you need to know

ENGL 135

8/26/11

Reading Academic Essays

The Writers Approach to You

Essay to Read and Analyze


Your Approach to the Essay

Rhetoric
[Rhetorical Analysis] The Writers Approach to the Topic

Critical Thinking
[Critical Analysis]

Argument
[Summary]
ENGL 135 8/26/11

Summarizing Identify the Argument

Thesis/Hypothesis/Claim

Goes beyond simple statement of topicgives a comment about the topic or the approach being taken toward the topic Usually find near the beginning of article (formal, academic), but can be further on or even not until the end. Can be a question to be tested (Hypothesis) May include essay plan or a generalization of intent

ENGL 135

8/26/11

Summarizing Identify the Argument


Main Points/Topic sentences:

Divide article into manageable subcategories

good way of doing so is to find the rhetorical pattern of argument (e.g. chronological, or compare/contrast, numbered sequence)

Look for the general (but not broad or vague) statement of the paragraph,
rather than the specific observations or evidence

As with thesis, topic sentences may be at beginning of section, but may be


at end

Prioritize the points the author makes



Decide which are major points and which are sub-points Pick only the major ones to write about (although you may choose to include particularly pertinent sub-points if you have room)

ENGL 135

8/26/11

Summarizing Writing the Summary


Introduction

Must give the title of the article, the authors name, a brief overview of the material you are summarizing, and your thesis Your thesis should indicate what you will discuss in the summary, i.e., what the author is arguing.

Example: In AIDS, Africa, and Indifference, Joel Pauls Wohlgemut addresses the issue of the medical communitys role in the AIDS epidemic in Africa. He argues that, in spite of North Americas emotional and geographical distance from the epidemic, the medical community and individuals in it must respond compassionately sympathetically and take steps towards relief.

ENGL 135

8/26/11

Summarizing Writing the Summary


Body of Summary

Present the articles argument IN YOUR OWN WORDS.



If you do use any of the original articles words, put them in quotations and cite them. E.g. Wohlgemut notes that he will not be asked to account for my inaction (191).

Keep the order of the original argument. Leave out any extra detail. Write concisely. Keep your own opinion out of the summary.

ENGL 135

8/26/11

Summarizing Writing the Summary


Conclusion

Bring your summary to a close, WITHOUT making an opinion on the


argument. Example: The argument concludes well with a necessary call to the North American medical profession to initiate action in the African AIDS crisis.

ENGL 135

8/26/11

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