Write an analysis of a journal article, magazine article, editorial, speech, book, or website.
Analysis is a common form of academic writing that asks us to think critically as readers and make connections between arguments and their larger contexts. For this project, you will identify an issue relevant to the community you investigated in the previous unit. Then, you will explore the written arguments surrounding that issue, eventually narrowing your focus to a single journal article, magazine article, editorial, speech, book, or website. After you choose this text, you will analyze the context, subtext and appeals of a particular text, focusing on both textual analysis (close reading of the text itself) and contextual analysis (analyzing the text within its larger context). Your final analysis should offer a better or richer understanding of how the text represents a topic (concept, issue, or other idea) that has significance for a specific community or communities (168).

 
These questions help to guide discussion and inquiry for this unit. The goal is not necessarily to answer these questions, but to explore them through the work of class discussions, writing, and reflection.

What is analysis? What is the purpose and value of analysis in classroom settings and outside of school? 
What potential does writing have to make change in the world? What are the implications of written arguments? What impacts can arguments have on communities? 
How can I use writing to explain and break down complex ideas into parts that audiences can understand? How can writing allow me to share my insight with others? 
How can I use writing to advance larger points or ideas that I want to communicate? How can I advocate through writing? 

look for grammatical errors, punctuation errors and other minor details

concise. (Hint: In textual analysis, sentences sometimes become long and cumbersome because the writer is trying to manage her own language and that of the text in question. Watch out for especially lengthy sentences. If you have a hard time following the logic, suggest strategies for shortening and vitalizing.)

The sentence below was hard to follow
Alexie juxtaposes his personal experiences during his childhood as an Indian student with much passion and quest for education to the anticipations of the society which entailed how much her fellow Indian students were ignorant about their own education. He differentiates himself from her fellow Indian students by stating that his life was saved through his habit of reading
Who is the “her” because you kept saying “his and he”

Finally, check for some important conventions of textual analysis:

Make sure the writer is using present tense to discuss the text (unless the writer is discussing the delivery of a speech).

The present tense is evident throughout the essay

Make sure the writer uses “quotation marks” for direct statements, phrases, and words taken from the chosen text.

Quotation marks were evident throughout the text from chosen words from the text with citation.

 

Where could the writer get more specific about his or her chosen text? Check for general or vague phrases such as appeals to readers or supports the thesis. If such statements are not followed up with specific descriptions, the writer can likely get more specific.

I felt like you could’ve been more specific when discussing how Alexie differentiated himself from other Indians through his passion for education; specific quotes and descriptions would’ve made this aspect of your essay better. Other than that, you did a great job at being specific by including multiple quotes. 

 

Consider the writers paragraphs. Are they coherent? Do they take on (analyze) one rhetorical element and explain that element thoroughly? Point out any paragraphs that take on too muchthat explain (or try to explain) too many rhetorical elements.

As I read your essay, I noticed that you were able to effectively transition from one paragraph to the next. As you explained Alexie’s style of writing, you were able to effectively capture his rhetorical tools that were used its impact on the text. I also like how you explained Alexie’s use of anaphora to outline his positive influential experiences on reading. 
Underline any sentences or phrases that could be more readable and concise. (Hint: In textual analysis, sentences sometimes become long and cumbersome because the writer is trying to manage her own language and that of the text in question. Watch out for especially lengthy sentences. If you have a hard time following the logic, suggest strategies for shortening and vitalizing.)

“The purpose of his essay is illustrating his harsh an exhausting journey and the anticipations of the Indians to further show longing discrimination of the Indian way of life.” and ” He differentiates himself from her fellow Indian students by stating that his life was saved through his habit of reading”The first sentence of your essay was admittedly a bit confusing to follow because I didn’t know who you meant by “he”. Additionally, I don’t know who you’re referring to with “her” .
Finally, check for some important conventions of textual analysis:

You used present tense effectively as well as including multiple quotes and citations to back your arguments.