Analyze and evaluate four high-quality written arguments using the Toulmin argument analysis model.

The purpose of this paper is to help you learn to clearly understand the elements of argument, be able to use them to analyze arguments for their issue, claim, support, etc., and be able to effectively evaluate their effectiveness and fairness.

Demonstrate competence in the following skills:

  1. Accurately and thoughtfully analyze arguments using the Toulmin analysis method.
  2. Thoughtfully analyze the background and motives/interests of both the intended audience and the arguer for each argument.
  3. Evaluate both the effectiveness/persuasiveness of each argument (in light of the interests and background of the intended audience) and the fairness of each argument.
  4. Articulate what you learned about persuasion, human motives, and power by doing these analyses and evaluations.

Use at least two editorials from major newspapers or magazines, plus two additional sources that you find while completing research for Essay 2.

Copy the sections below (1, 2, and 3) four times into a blank page in your word processor. Then copy the "Overall Conclusion" section and paste it in below the four analysis sections. Turn in one file when complete.

Argument #1 (or 2,3,4): Title of the Argument, Author, Source:

After all 4 analyses, write a conclusion of 'What I learned about persuasion by doing these analyses and evaluations.' Please write no less than one well-organized paragraph discussing what you’ve discovered about your argument or topic from analyzing these pieces.