Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Focus: Write an essay that evaluates, analyzes, and responds to the following article.

News is bad for you – and giving up reading it will make you happier
News is bad for your health. It leads to fear and aggression and hinders your creativity and ability to think deeply. The solution? Stop consuming it altogether
By Rolf Dobelli
Published on The Guardian (theguardian.com)
First published on Fri, Apr 12, 2013
This is an edited extract from an essay first published at dobelli.com. The Art of Thinking Clearly: Better Thinking, Better Decisions by Rolf Dobelli is published by Sceptre.
(Article with my comments and thoughts have been attached the order.)

Word Count: 1000-1200

Format: MLA format

Point of View: The third person must be used in all sections except the response section (though the first person is not required in this section).

Outside Research: No outside research is required.

Content and Development
CONTENT Introduction • Opening paragraph contains the title of the article and the author’s name. • The introduction uses a strategy to grab readers’ attention, familiarizes readers with the subject, provides background and overview, and is specific to the essay’s content without being generalized. • The essay includes a well-developed and concise thesis statement that reflects the stance of the essay and indicates the focus of the essay (analysis of an article). Body • Essay includes a detailed and effective: o Summary of the article. o Rhetorical analysis of several key points of the article. o Personal response to the article and its content. Conclusion • Conclusion effectively wraps up the essay without being repetitive of the previously stated information. • The Conclusion does not include new information not already discussed in the essay. DEVELOPMENT • The essay meets length requirements. • The essay develops a single focus, engages the audience, and develops a clear and logical argument. • The essay’s organizational structure is appropriate to the audience and purpose. • The essay avoids unnecessary repetition. • Main ideas are effectively and adequately supported with evidence. The essay meets other assignment specific requirements.

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReadability and Style
READABILITY Paragraph and sentence development • Paragraphs contain clear and effective topic sentences. • Paragraph and sentence transitions are present, logical, and maintain cohesion throughout the paper. • Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. • Sentences are well-constructed, with consistently strong, varied sentences. STYLE Academic writing • The essay uses a formal, academic tone appropriate to the content and assignment. • The essay displays a command of both Standard English and academic writing. • Analysis is written in the present tense. • The paper avoids 1st person (I/we/our) and 2nd person (you/your) when appropriate. • Quotations are effectively integrated through appropriate signal phrases.

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics and Format
MECHANICS • Essay is free of run-ons, comma splices, and sentence fragments. • Essay is free of awkward wording and/or word choice. • Essay is free of other grammar/typographical errors. FORMAT • The essay meets MLA 8 manuscript requirements regarding spacing, the inclusion of name, page numbers, title, etc. • The essay is formatted in MLA 8 documentation style and includes proper in-text citations and a correctly formatted Works Cited.*

Total Points: 100.0