Analyzing Arguments Activity
In preparation of constructing your own argument, you are tasked this week with breaking down and analyzing a written argument to better understand how they are constructed and how they work. 
1. Skim the following examples: 4.11.2: Sample Assessment- “Typography and Identity” – Humanities LibreTexts
Links to an external site.
and 10.8.1: Annotated Sample Visual Argument Analysis – Humanities LibreTexts.
Links to an external site.
Pay attention to the notes that have been added to the texts in parentheses, assessing the various steps that the authors’ take in making their arguments, such as summary, counterargument, inductive or deductive reasoning, evidence and what kinds of evidence, the premises, its sources, and any fallacies, as well as the organization of the argument.
2. Then find a recently published Op/Ed in order to conduct your own analysis. It is important to be able to recognize the difference between a “news” article, which should be an unbiased reporting of news events and facts and not offer the author’ opinion, and an “opinion” article in which the author(s) make a persuasive argument (often using evidence and facts) in favor of their opinion. You can find recent op/eds at the following links: Opinion – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Links to an external site.
, Opinions (washingtonpost.com)
Links to an external site.
, or Opinion: Op-Eds, Editorials, and Political Commentary | The Hill
Links to an external site.
.
3. Emulate the argument assessment/analysis from Step 1. Copy/paste the Op/Ed’s text (and a link to the original source) into the text box and assess and evaluate the author’s argument by placing comments in bold and parentheses, (like this). Again, note the various steps that the authors’ take in making their arguments, such as summary, counterargument, inductive or deductive reasoning, evidence and what kinds of evidence, the premises, its sources, and any fallacies, as well as the organization of the argument.
4. Finally, evaluate the argument–was it effective? Why or why not? Name at least one suggestion to improve the argument.