This assignment is titled “analytical summary” rather than just “summary” because you are asked to do more than simply provide a point-by-point recap of the source article. identify and explain the basic rhetorical situation of the article (purpose, thesis, type of argument, audience, words choice, setting, medium…etc.). You must distinguish between the main thesis and supporting points.
Section 1: Summarize the source article: Explain in your own words what the main claim of the author is and how she supports her points of view. Don’t use quotations in your summary.
Section 2: Identify and explain the rhetorical situation elements in which the source article participates by providing adequate explanation for each one of them.
Section 3: Choose one of the main points of the source article, then provide a focused discussion on it. In this section you are implementing your own opinion/input of the point you choose and explain why you choose it, why it is important, whether you agree/disagree with the author on this point and why…etc.
Note: Keep in mind the word “section” doesn’t correspond to the number of paragraphs. The word “section” is just to give you an idea about the way you are going to structure your essay.
Assignment Outcomes
• Understand the concept of the rhetorical situation and identify its basic components within a written argument.
• Identify the central argument, supporting points, and organizational structure of a written argument.
• Effectively summarize, paraphrase, and quote source material using signal phrases (attributive tags) and parenthetical in-text citations (MLA format).
• Construct a properly formatted bibliographical citation for the source article (The work cited page at the end).
• Provide a work cited page at the end.