MODR 1760 Lecture 2: The Critical Essay overhead
22 Feb 2019
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Balance: giving the proper amount of space to your points. Simple or minor points should get less space. Complex or important points should get more. Break the essay down into smaller tasks. Selection: choose from your steps what needs to go in the essay. An essay is a structure, it builds. Proceed from the simple to the complex, the obvious to the obscure. A different kind of essay from the position paper. Explain and evaluate a piece of text. Instead of presenting your own views, you talk only about the text you are criticizing. Resist the temptation to argue with the author. Your own view on the topic (e. g. abortion) is irrelevant. Concern yourself with whether the author does a good job of supporting her position, not whether you agree. Think of yourself as writing a guide to the article. You"ve gained a sophisticated, in-depth understanding of the text.
