Week 3: Analysis

Learning Objectives

This week, we're going to:

• Review rules for commas
• Review rules for subject-verb agreement
• Practice using commas
• Correct problems with subject-verb agreement
• Peer review analysis essays
• Review guidelines for cultural analysis assignment

Reminders

Student Preparation for Week 4:

• Prepare Homework Paper #5: Essay Analysis [Final Draft]
• Prepare Homework Paper #6: Cultural Analysis [Draft 1]

For our fourth class, students should bring their first draft of their Cultural Analysis for peer review.  

Commas

commas.pdf
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File Type:	pdf

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Subject-Verb Agreement

subject_verb_agreement_quiz.pdf
File Size:	46 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Analysis Peer Review

Longman Reader Analysis Peer Review  

1. Underline the thesis. Does the writer come back to the thesis throughout the paper? In other words, does the writer remember to make all the points he/she made in her thesis/introduction? After reading the entire paper, does the thesis fit the argument the author makes in his/her paper? Why or why not?


2. Does the introduction discuss the material to be analyzed? Does it give the reader an idea of the purpose of the text, historical background, a description of the author, or other information that may be necessary to understand the argument? Why or why not?


3. Read the entire essay and then underline the topic sentence/main pt. sentence in each of the body paragraphs. Do the topic sentences directly mirror the thesis? Why or why not?


4. Does the conclusion talk about our current society? Can you see a link between the ideas in the essay and your experience as a modern American? Why or why not?

 
5. Is the paper organized? Does the author move smoothly from discussing one of his/her points to another? How could the author improve the flow of his/her paper? Could the author be more detailed? Where?


6. Does the author avoid mere plot summary? Is it clear that the author is analyzing the text, rather than simply summarizing it? If the author does point out scenes or passages from the text, does he/she make sure to note what is important about them? Why or why not?

7. What is your favorite part of the author’s paper? Why?


8. What is your least favorite part of the author’s paper? Why? How could he/she improve this section?

9. Offer any feedback here that will help the writer convince his/her audience of the argument. In other words, are you convinced? Why or why not? Does the author offer enough “proof” for his/her claim(s) about the essay/story he/she is analyzing? Have you noticed anything else in the paper that could use more attention?

10. Carefully and methodically proofread/edit the paper for the author. Look for grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. After you have noted everything you feel is incorrect, what grammar suggestions do you have for the author? What do you feel is their biggest grammar issue?

Cultural Analysis Assignment

Essay # 3 Cultural Analysis

In a cultural analysis, you need to:

• Identify the main idea found in a story, movie, song, poem, book, commercial: What is this media trying to say about out society?  What is this text attempting to accomplish?  Why might the author have written this piece (What is the purpose?)?
• Think of a Cultural Analysis as your chance to really display the importance/value of a favorite text. What is the “moral of the story” or the point behind this movie? Most importantly, consider what is the value of watching this movie or listening to this particular song? Why should other Americans actually spend their time digesting this particular text?

 
Your essay should include the following parts:

• Introduction: This is where you introduce the concept you have pulled out of the text as your thesis and briefly introduce (mention) the work you are analyzing. 
• Thesis: You must make a claim that the text you are analyzing illustrates/discusses a universal theme or idea. In other words, what is it that may be learned from reading this story, movie, etc? What is the “hidden” meaning or idea behind this media; what is the author trying to say? (i.e. “The Lottery” examines the use of symbols in society, or “Shooting an Elephant” explores the catastrophic results of peer pressure and cowardice, or “What’s in a Name?” examines the importance of language and social labels.) Be as specific as possible.
• Body:
• Brief summary of the text (no more than a paragraph)
• Analysis of your theme based in a very close reading/review of the text itself. Find different examples of how the story, movie, song, etc, contains your theme. (Hint: look at how the main character(s) proves your idea in one paragraph and then discuss how other characters, setting, action itself, tone, imagery, etc. also proves this idea.) This section should contain at least four separate paragraphs discussing four separate examples of your theme.
• Conclusion: This is where you explore the social impact/value/result of this common theme on society.  Come to a conclusion about the importance of this idea. Why is this idea important for all readers?  Who is promoting this idea to American society and/or the world? 

 

Length: 3—5 pages. 

150 pts. possible