This exercise requires that you shift your attention from what the essay says to how it says it and the extent to which you find it compelling. You want to begin to understand how the writer led you to understand the essay's idea - the one you highlighted in your summary. Select ONE reading from this progression and write a letter to the author of the essay. The letter should bring up questions of how an author presents ideas and how the meaning of these ideas is supported. Please refrain from saying whether you like or dislike the essay. Rather, analyze the essay rhetorically and respond to the ideas presented by the author. While writing this letter, make sure you use appropriate tone for this particular audience.
For writing the letter, consider the following tips:
• What are the important points in this essay? Why do you consider these important to mention?
• Look at the main points of the essay and look for how the author supports his/her claims.
• Does the author use appropriate logic to support his/her argument?
• Why did the author write this piece?
• Did the author consider all kinds of examples he/she should have? If not, bring these up.
• What about the other side of the main claim the author is making? Did the author consider this?
Manuscript Notes: Your letter should be two to three double-spaced pages long. A letter will not usually include either parenthetical documentation or a works cited page. You must make clear in the text of your letter what essay you are writing about, what phrases, images, or ideas you are discussing. Remember that the essayist is not expecting this letter; telling him or her that you are writing to satisfy a class requirement will not do the trick.
Select two assigned readings and pick a common theme within these. Using this common idea/theme, write a letter to a friend or family member explaining the connection between the two essays (or the common theme). Pick one theme and give several examples of it from each text explaining how these are related and what similarities or differences exist as they address similar issues. Unlike the letter to the author, this letter should assume a different tone because the audience has changed. And in this letter, you need to give a brief summary of the articles because your friends have most likely not read these. So first, provide a summary (not more than 5-6 lines) of the main points of the essays. And then, you will discuss common themes within these essays. Remember to not just mention the common themes, but also discuss the ways in which the authors support their main points. Again, make sure you're looking at the texts rhetorically, not merely mentioning what you liked or disliked in the essays.
Manuscript Notes: Your letter should be two to three double-spaced pages long. A letter will not usually include either parenthetical documentation or a bibliography. The recipient is not expecting this letter and will have no idea why you are writing unless you somehow make it clear. Again, don't tell your reader that you are satisfying a course requirement. Get into the letter some other way.