Analysis of Argument

1. Analysis of Argument A Guide for Students

2. The Task Analyze how the author builds her argument. Look for • evidence (facts/statistics, examples) • reasoning (connecting evidence to claim) • stylistic or persuasive elements • appeals • word choice

3. Intro Sentence Two sentences. Use SOAPS and author’s claim: • Occasion, speaker, purpose, author’s claim, subject. • In response to our world’s growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogardargues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article “Let there be dark.”

4. Your Claim • Using several rhetorical strategies, (author’s last name) effectively builds (his/her) argument. • Using several rhetorical strategies, Bogard effectively builds his argument. • Using personal anecdote, imagery, and allusion, Bogard effectively builds his argument.

5. In response to our world’s growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article “Let there be dark.”Using several rhetorical strategies, Bogard effectively builds his argument.

6. Intro is DONE

7. Body Paragraph Structure • Topic sentence: focus on one rhetorical strategy • Assertion • Evidence • Impact/reasoning (this is the bulk of your essay) *You will have 2-3 assertions per paragraph.

8. Topic Sentence Stems • One important rhetorical strategy (author’s last name) uses is (rhetorical strategy). • The most significant rhetorical strategy (author’s last name) employs is (rhetorical strategy). • (Author’s last name)’s use of (rhetorical strategy) is particularly significant to building (his/her) argument.

9. Examples • One important rhetorical strategy Bogard uses is allusion. • The most significant rhetorical strategy Bogard employs is personal anecdote. • Bogard’s use of allusion to art and history is particularly significant to building his argument.

10. *Remember, an assertion is something you MUST prove! It’s your argument. Assertion Verbs & Phrases ( • (He/she) builds (his/her) argument by • This evokes/to evoke • This reveals/to reveal • This emphasizes • This establishes • This creates a sense of • By emphasizing • This causes • The author challenges/ establishes/ illustrates • The author urges the readers to • The author draws on

11. Examples • Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time when they could fully immerse themselves in natural darkness… • He builds an argument for the preservation of natural darkness by reminiscing for his readers a first-hand encounter that proves the “irreplaceable value of darkness.” • Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in the dark sky is definite. • Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming.

12. Evidence: Rhetorically Accurate Verbs • What moves does the author make? • The author DOES NOT quote. He/she: • Establishes • Asserts • Argues • Employs (uses) • Illustrates • Claims • Considers • Emphasizes • Declares • Ponders • Questions

13. Examples • Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story--a summer spent on a Minnesota lake… • Bogard alludes to Paris as “the famed city of light.” • He asks readers to consider, “what the vision…?”

14. Impact/Reasoning: Why did you choose your evidence? • This will be the majority of your body paragraph. • Once you’ve made your assertion about how the author builds her argument and have provided evidence of this, answer: • How does the evidence you’ve selected tie to your assertion? • What impact does this rhetorical strategy have on readers?

15. Examples • This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author’s claim. • This allusion furthers the argument by showing how steps can and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution… • Now let’s put it all together in one body paragraph…

16. Bogard’s argument is also furthered by his use of allusion to art – Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” – and modern history – Paris’ reputation as “The City of Light”. By first referencing “Starry Night”, a painting generally considered to be undoubtedly beautiful, Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite. A world absent of excess artificial light could potentially hold the key to a grand, glorious night sky like Van Gogh’s according to the writer.This urges the readers to weigh the disadvantages of our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting. Furthermore, Bogardalludes to Paris as “the famed ‘city of light’”. He then goes on to state how Paris has taken steps to exercise more sustainable lighting practices. By doing this, Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming – no longer “the city of light”, but moreso “the city of light…before 2 AM”. This furthers his line of argumentation because it shows how steps can be and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution in a manner that preserves the beauty of both the city itself and the universe as a whole.

17. Conclusion: Two Approaches Restate the intro in a fresh way: • Writing as a reaction to his disappointment that artificial light has largely permeated the presence of natural darkness, Paul Bogard argues that we must preserve true, unaffected darkness. He builds his claim by making use of several rhetorical strategies.

18. Conclusion: Two Approaches Tell us the impact of this issue on our world: 2. We can still save our world according to Bogard. We must see the strength and beauty in the darkness, and remember how our world survived without lights. Light can be acceptable, but too much of it can prove worse than permanent darkness.

19. Body Paragraph Example Gioia employs effective diction to strengthen his argument. The author’s use of strong negative comments evokes fear in a reader.The author concludes with “our nation becomes less informed, active and independent-minded,” leaving the reader pondering these thoughts. By doing this, he illustrates the bigger consequences of not being interested in the arts. The impact is larger than we realize, and by the author using such strong, bold words such as “independent minded” it strikes urgency in readers. Gioia insults them in a way, which would make them want to do something, take action. Furthermore, Gioia employs word choices that imply proactivity. His last words “Free, innovative, or productive” leave the readers on a good note. This urges the readers to step up, because it makes them feel guilty for not being proactive. Every American wants to live up to the country’s pride, by being productive.