Writing Proficiency Assessment (SDSU) – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Avoid referring to the author by his/her first name
answer
dont say Chris. Just Yamaguchi
question
Be careful of using "you" and "like."
answer
...
question
Avoid using "talks about" and "says."
answer
Use bigger words like: examines, justifies, proposes,
question
If you "know" something, be sure to explain how and why you know it.
answer
...
question
Create topic sentences for your paragraphs that are attention-grabbing and informative. Avoid: "The author's first strategy is . . ."
answer
...
question
Don't assume the readers will automatically know what you are trying to say.
answer
...
question
Analysis
answer
Is your analysis of the author's argument reasonable, credible, thorough, and well-thought out?
question
Focus
answer
Does the essay accurately and thoroughly address all aspects of the prompt?
question
Organization
answer
Do the ideas flow from one paragraph and from one sentence to another? *Make sure your essay doesn't read like a list.*
question
Development
answer
Are details and specific examples used to further prove or illustrate the thesis?
question
Grammar—Punctuation—Spelling
answer
This is something you can do little about in the days before the test. The focus, organization, and development strategies are in your control.
question
explain the point of the author's argument
answer
...
question
explain how the author is using rhetorical strategies to persuade an audience
answer
...
question
identify and explain the type of structure used
answer
...
question
identify and explain the core premise/assumption of the article
answer
...
question
most importantly: you must analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of each of these components. (Did this strategy/structure/premise work to convince the audience? Why/why not?)
answer
...
question
Identify
answer
Clearly label and provide examples of the strategies, structure, and assumptions used by the author.
question
Describe, Explain, Discuss
answer
Thoroughly explain how the author is using this information to support his/her argument. Consider the author's motivation for utilizing this particular piece of evidence; how did he/she think it would help to further convince the readers?
question
Evaluate
answer
Consider the effectiveness of the devices used by the author: do these devices strengthen or weaken the argument? Why? Why not? Did this particular device help to convince the audience? Why? Why not?
question
The introductory paragraph should (at the very least): Identify:
answer
the title of the article the name of the author the author's main claim the rhetorical context the publication the intended audience Briefly cover: how the author presents the argument how the author supports the argument (a brief explanation of the strategies used) Signpost Tell the readers where you're going with your essay.
question
Creating context for discussion
answer
Many college students seek valuable opportunities to develop marketable skills within their fields. The internship is one such avenue that students can pursue.
question
Names author & title; rhetorical context
answer
Anya Kamenetz's article, "Take This Internship and Shove It," examines the assumed relationship between unpaid internships and the development of real-world job skills. Published in the New York Times, it seeks to reach a broad audience of largely educated people, many of whom may have worked unpaid internships themselves.
question
Thesis (optional)
answer
Through the use of several clever rhetorical moves, Kamenetz manages to create an effective argument on the topic.
question
Signposting
answer
I will examine those rhetorical moves below.
question
Each strategy paragraph should (at the very least):
answer
Identify: One of two strategies used to support the argument Cite: textual evidence of the strategy Briefly discuss: how/why the author uses the strategy how the strategy supports the argument Analyze: the effectiveness of the strategy-- Does it help to convince the readers? why/why not?
question
Strategies
answer
moves or devices which help build and support arguments.
question
Find two the author uses in making his or her argument: Are statistics/examples provided? Are scenarios/situations presented? Are opposing arguments refuted? Are appeals made: - To emotions (pathos)? - To logic (logos)? Are narrations, descriptions, or settings provided? Does the author use stylistic devices: repetition, alliteration, or metaphor?
answer
...
question
Does the writer of the selection: Use descriptions? Provide definitions? Share personal experiences/anecdotes to appeal to emotions? Use a concept or idea to interpret another idea? Use analogies? This is only a partial list. Do some research on the Internet to learn more terms! **In addition to identifying and describing these strategies, you must also evaluate their effectiveness (Do they "work?" Why/why not?)**
answer
...
question
Clear topic sentence identifies strategy
answer
In her essay, Kamenetz effectively employs various rhetorical strategies to further her argument. One strategy that she uses to support her argument is exemplification, specifically the use of numbers and statistical representations.
question
Textual support followed by analysis
answer
She states, for example, that "...50,000 unpaid interns are employed full time for 12 weeks each summer at an average minimum wage of $5.15 an hour." The number of unpaid internships at such a meager wage clearly illustrates the reality of the situation and the exploitation of students. In addition, Kamanetz provides data from national surveys that clearly support her argument.
question
Effectiveness
answer
The use of exemplification, as a result, helps the audience visualize the magnitude of unpaid interns and its impact on the economy. This data makes it easy to conceptualize the problem that exists for college students seeking to gain relevant work experience and contributes effectively to the overall argument.
question
The structure paragraph should (at the very least):
answer
Identify: the structure used by the author Cite: textual evidence of the structure Briefly discuss: how/why the author uses this structure how the structure moves the readers from "Point A" to "Point B" of the argument Analyze: the effectiveness of the structure-- was it accessible for readers? was it appropriate for the topic? why/why not?
question
??Describe the overall structure ??
answer
How are strategies organized in the text? How are claims in the text organized? How are examples or evidence arranged in the reading? How do the parts of the reading function? How is information "chunked" together?
question
How does the structure affect the persuasiveness of the reading as a whole? Consider these structural relationships: Problem/solution Cause/effect Compare/contrast Action/consequence **In addition to identifying and describing the structure, you must also evaluate its effectiveness (Does it "work?" Why/why not?)**
answer
...
question
Clear topic sentence
answer
The structure of Kamenetz's article furthers the aims of her argument.
question
Points to specific parts of essay
answer
She first begins with a short anecdote and introduction of the topic, internships. In order to provide more background on paid and unpaid internships, Kamenetz refers to a professional survey that was conducted. The context for the discussion is established within the first few paragraphs, and the audience does not learn about the argument until paragraph four, when it is implicitly stated through a rhetorical question.
question
Analysis
answer
The sequence of paragraphs effectively addresses the reasoning of the author's argument and each supporting point is laid out with clearly stated examples and various rhetorical strategies. As a whole, the organization enables Kamanetz to develop her ideas and examples, and most importantly, leaves the reader with a better understanding of the negative impact of unpaid internships.
question
Make sure you know the difference between a premise and an assumption.
answer
...
question
Premise
answer
A premise is something that the author is using to prove his conclusion. "Because all trees are green, we can agree that all forests are green." In this case, "all trees are green" is the premise
question
Assumption
answer
An assumption is something the author is using in that way, but not stating. "Because all trees are green, we can agree that all forests are green." The assumption is that all forests are comprised entirely of trees.
question
Assumptions and premises constitute the principles, beliefs and core values the author assumes the audience holds true.
answer
...
question
Look for "obvious" things that "need no explanation," yet are vital to the writer's argument.
answer
...
question
**In addition to identifying and describing the assumption/premise, you must also evaluate its effectiveness (Does it "work?" Why/why not?)**
answer
...
question
The premise/assumption paragraph should (at the very least):
answer
Identify: the premise on which the argument is based where in the text this premise is evident Briefly discuss: how/why the author bases the argument on this premise how the premise strengthens/does not strengthen the argument Analyze: the effectiveness of the premise/assumption would most audiences find this premise valid/reasonable? was it appropriate for the intended audience? why/why not?
question
Clear topic sentence
answer
The assumption within Kamanetz's article is that work by an individual should be compensated and that an unpaid internship contradicts this belief.
question
Specific examples
answer
It can be argued that this concept is supported by the general population, as well as the majority of college students, and the article argues in more specific terms that unpaid internships do more harm than good to an individual and to the economy.
question
Analysis
answer
This assumption validates both the author's argument as well as the points developed throughout the article. For this reason, the assumption presented in this article creates a shared understanding between the author and audience and provides an overwhelmingly convincing argument.
question
Evaluate the extent to which you find the argument convincing
answer
Summarize your main points. Offer judgment of the author's argument: Do you feel it would be persuasive to a broad audience? Be sure to make your argument regarding the effectiveness of the author's argument, NOT your stance on the topic. Be sure to come down one way or the other on the effectiveness issue—it is okay to say "Despite its flaws, I found this argument to be effective.
question
Summarizes main points & offers judgment
answer
"Take This Internship and Shove It," by Anya Kamenetz, proved to be a convincing article. The belief that college students should be paid for their work, which is the premise for the article as well as common ground between the author and audience, strengthens her argument. Furthermore, through the use of specific examples, the use of Logos and appeal to authority as rhetorical devices, and a carefully structured line of argument, Kamanetz establishes a persuasive argument for the reader. By the end of the article, readers have a clearer understanding of how the unpaid internship can plague both the student as well as the economy and that one should "Take This Internship and Shove It."
