Make sure to please follow and hit every point in this prompt. Avoid using big words and sounding too formal. Please when citing quotes use it only from the text below provided.
Assignment 1: Analyzing an Argument
Reading:
Excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave
Prompt:
In Frederick Douglass’s narrative, initially published in 1845, he makes an argument about
slavery that would have been controversial at the time. His audience had been exposed to ideas
that created some misconceptions about slavery and slaves; therefore, Douglass faced the
challenge of both providing new information and building a connection with the readers to
encourage them to see slavery from a different perspective.
For this paper, construct an account of the argument Douglass makes and the ways in which he
refutes many of the pro-slavery arguments that were common at the time.
Analyze the persuasiveness of his claims, counter-claims, and reasons as well as the evidence he uses to
support those claims. Does the evidence, such as the examples he includes, clearly and fairly
support the claims he makes? Also, analyze the way assumptions made by the author shape thedevelopment of claims and the use of evidence in the text. What assumptions is Douglass
making about his audience? What assumptions must Douglass’s audience share in order to find
his argument persuasive?
Successful papers will:
- Use MLA format
- Minimum four to five typed pages.
- Identify the author’s main argument and most important claims or counter-claims.
- Analyze the effectiveness of Douglass’s reasons and evidence.
- Analyze the way assumptions Douglass makes shape the development of claims and his
- use of evidence.
- Include and analyze specific examples from the text.
- Use an effective structure that guides the reader from one idea to the next.
- Edit thoroughly for grammar and conventions of correctness.
Key Learning Outcome:
Analyze a variety of texts to demonstrate knowledge of an argument’s project, claim,
audience, genre, rhetorical appeals, rhetorical strategies (including evidence), and
assumptions.
Evaluate arguments and their evidence through a process of critical inquiry.