Argument Analysis and Critical Discussion
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
As described on the syllabus, each student is responsible for turning in a 250-500 word argument analysis in addition to a separate 250-500 word critical discussion of any paper of their choosing from the course. Students may choose an already assigned paper or a paper that we will discuss in the future. Both the Argument Analysis and the Critical Discussion must be about the same paper.
An argument analysis is not a summary. Instead, an analysis tells the reader what the main argument of the article is. It should state clearly what the author’s thesis is and how she defends it. What premises does she start from? How does she use these premises to reach her conclusion? Further, your essay should include a thorough explanation of each premise.
A critical discussion is not a review of an article. Instead, a critical discussion provides an assessment of the main argument of the article. You should have a thesis that clearly indicates to the reader what position you are taking about whether the argument succeeds. Consider the strongest objection you can to the argument and discuss what the author's best response would be. You can defend the argument by showing that the author's best response would answer the objections. Or, you can critique the argument by showing that the author's best response would fail to answer the objection.
An argument analysis is not a summary. Instead, an analysis tells the reader what the main argument of the article is. It should state clearly what the author’s thesis is and how she defends it. What premises does she start from? How does she use these premises to reach her conclusion? Further, your essay should include a thorough explanation of each premise.
A critical discussion is not a review of an article. Instead, a critical discussion provides an assessment of the main argument of the article. You should have a thesis that clearly indicates to the reader what position you are taking about whether the argument succeeds. Consider the strongest objection you can to the argument and discuss what the author's best response would be. You can defend the argument by showing that the author's best response would answer the objections. Or, you can critique the argument by showing that the author's best response would fail to answer the objection.