Midterm Instructions and Final Submission

Midterm Instructions & Final Submission Upload

Before you read: Keep in mind the plagiarism policy of the class. All work you submit must be your own. Plagiarism typically happens because we’re confused or uncertain about the assignment. If you are confused, or don’t feel confident about what you might turn in, reach out and I can help you. Please do not resort to plagiarism. It’s never a good idea.

Steps of the Midterm

1. Read & Annotate
   

   • Read and annotate "Do Protests Even Work" by Zeynep Tufekci. Give yourself time to read and re-read.
   • Your annotations for this assignment will be part of your Midterm grade. Please be thoughtful in your response.

2. Then, you will turn in a Summary and a Rhetorical Analysis.

   1. Summary (300-500 words)
      

For this task you will need to condense the article into only 3-4 paragraphs (or ~300-500 words). Identify the major points with only a few supporting details. Use the authors name and last name frequently. Avoid quoting and do not include your own opinion. Please label this section.

1. 1.  Rhetorical Analysis  (500-750 words)
      

In the bulk of your midterm you will evaluate the author's argument and how she wrote and developed this argument. You will write a Level 3 Analysis, which is a  Rhetorical Analysis. Please use the guidance in the Backpacks vs Briefcases article to help, as well as the detailed questions in the Rhetorical Analysis chapter. Consider having 1 paragraph per question, and don't feel like all questions need to be addressed. This should be 2-3 pages, double spaced, or around 4-7 paragraphs. In this section, you will analyze the effectiveness of the argument posed by the author(s). You should consider the effectiveness of the article, considering the author's tone, use of evidence, persona, intended audience, etc. You are not agreeing or disagreeing but instead evaluating Tufekcis' argument and her writing.  Please label this section clearly.

Guidelines

• Your midterm needs to be properly formatted according to MLA standards, including accurate in text citations for quotes.
• This is not an essay. This is two separate sections that are clearly labeled as

• • Summary and
  • Rhetorical Analysis.

• Include support from the article in the form of evidence in your Rhetorical Analysis. At least three quotes are needed for your Rhetorical Analysis section. Here is Quoting Review. 
  • It's okay to use "I" and your opinion in the Midterm as you are offering your assessment of the author's rhetoric. But you are not agreeing or disagreeing with the author.
• Be formatted appropriately with accurate in-text citations. 
•  Be relatively free from error and relatively polished. This is a formal assignment and that should be reflected in the polish of the assignment.

Guides to Reference

• Summary Help:
  • 3.6- Review Summary Guide
• Analysis & Rhetorical Analysis Help:
  • 4.1 - Review Critical Analyses Guide
  • 7.2 - Read Sample Rhetorical Analysis
  • 2.3 - Read "Critical Reading" and answer questions
  • 6.1 - Read and annotate "Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps toward Rhetorical Analysis" via Perusall
  • 6.2 - Read Reading & Rhetorical Context chapter
  • 6.5 - Submit 2 Rhetorical Analysis questions on "Do Protests Even Work"
• Citations & Quoting
  • 7.6 - Review MLA Formatting and Citations Help
  • 4.6 - Review the Quote Sandwich

I also recommend reviewing the rubric (at bottom of this page) before you submit.

You will submit your final draft version here. It should be in a .pdf or .doc format. Plan to put your best foot forward with your submission but even if you're not 100% confident you should still submit: something is always better than nothing.