PS7710: ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC: TEXT ANALYSIS

As a future academic, it is essential that you learn how to make a close analysis of a text. The primary goal of this assignment is for you to read and analyze academic writing.  On reflection, I will permit two options:

1) summarize the main arguments of a particular work (2-3 pages) and formulate the strongest possible counter-arguments (6-8 pages). You may do this by pointing to flaws in evidence, method, and argumentation. Be sure to offer a coherent counter-argument rather than just picking holes in one argument after another.

2) summarize the differences and similarities of the main arguments of two related works (3-4 pages) and in areas where the two works disagree, evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two contending positions, if necessary adding your own (5-6 pages).

If this seems to you to be a difficult task, you are right, but it is not an impossible one. As a former teacher of mine, Andrew Gould, once noted: "Think of the best piece of scholarly writing you've ever read. Then think of how many people disagree." Every article has flaws and limits and oversights and it is your responsibility in this assignment to find and expose them.

To sign up for an commentator, please see: http://comparativeseminar.wikispaces.com/ and follow the instructions there for signing up.

DEADLINE:

• As agreed with the instructor and fellow students
• Late papers are assessed a grade of F.

FORMAT:

• 7-10 pages
• normal 1 inch margins
• 10 or 12 point type
• double-spaced
• spell-checked
• your name is on it

EXAMPLES:

• For examples of papers with nearly-perfect thesis statements, see: well-written student essays
• For more specific information on thesis statements and outlines, you can see a variety of on-line resources.  The best I have found is:
  The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing" which is a companion to Michael Harvey's book of the same name.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

You must post your analysis paper on the class blog: http://comparativeseminar.blogspot.com (login: graduateseminar, password: graduateseminar).  It is probably best to compose it in a word processor and paste it in, particularly if you are working with citations.  It is your responsibility to negotiate a deadline with the respondent who will critique your pape (this is how it works in academic conferences). 

CONTACT:

If you have any questions or difficulties with either of these questions please

• call me at 248-336-2538,
• visit me at 2053 FAB
• or email me at:

Good luck, and enjoy.