Readings

To complete this assignment, you’ll need to have decided on the “bad argument” you’ll use for . If you have emailed me to ask whether you can use an argument but have not yet received a response, it’s still okay to use that argument here; if I end up telling you you’ll need to use a different one for your essay, you will not need to recomplete this assignment.

Response

Evaluate the source you’ve chosen in a response of one page or more, MLA format. Analyze at least three quotes from the source to support your claims. As you draft your evaluation, consider the following: how is the source structured? Who is its intended audience? How does (or doesn’t) it convince that audience? Are there any misleading statements, errors, or otherwise untruthful parts of the argument? What would lead someone to trust (or not trust) the author of this source? 

Writing Expectations

  • This assignment should be formatted in accordance with MLA standards. If you need  .
  • Writing should be largely free from grammar, spelling, typing, and formatting errors and should use proper capitalization and punctuation. You can see a refresher on  . Some slang, contractions, or informal language is okay.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve evaluated the source, consider how you would avoid these pitfalls in your own writing. How can you defend the same stance in a way that will be more convincing to an educated audience?

You may submit this assignment by  or . If you’d like a refresher on how to submit your assignment, click the links in the previous sentence to view the walkthroughs provided in the Canvas Help Guides. Once you have finished submitting your assignment, you can click the Next button on the bottom right corner of the page to move forward in the module.

Rubric

Reading and Writing Response: Evaluating Sources
Reading and Writing Response: Evaluating Sources
Criteria Ratings Pts
Effective Evaluation

 
 
 

6 pts

Fantastic!
You do a great job of showing how effective the source is and why. You clearly understand the audiences for whom this would be effective and the audiences from whom it would not be effective. I can tell that you spent some time critically examining the source.
 

3 pts

On the Right Track
You’re evaluating the source, but there are some points that could be a little better explained, or a couple of points you make that seem to be at odds with what would make an argument successful. I’ll leave you feedback to help you see where to improve as you progress through this unit.
 

0 pts

No Points Scored
Either you did not submit the assignment or your evaluation comes to an insupportable conclusion; for example, you might have found an argument that does not use any evidence whatsoever and found it to be very effective. Take another look at the readings provided earlier in the module.
6 pts
Provides & Analyzes Evidence in Support of Claim

 
 
 

4 pts

Fantastic!
You selected effective evidence, and you do a great job of connecting it back to your claim. This really helps prove your evaluation.
 

2 pts

On the Right Track
You’re selecting effective evidence, and you’re beginning to connect it back. Try to explain a little further why this evidence supports your evaluation.
 

0 pts

No Points Scored
You did not provide three pieces of evidence, or there is no attempt to connect the evidence the evaluation; it’s instead dropped into the assignment without explanation. Focus on integrating and analyzing your evidence in future writing.
4 pts
Total Points: 10