WORKSHOP INSTRUCTIONS
1. The introduction: Fill in the following (in your own words):
What is the common ground? _______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What is the destabilizing condition? __________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What are the costs/consequences (implied or stated)? ____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What is the claim? ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What is the resolution? (Is it the same as the claim? Is it implicit in the claim? Is
it distinct from the claim?) _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Body of the Essay
o Does the introduction actually match the essay body? How should the
introduction (or body) be changed to better correspond?
o How could/should the major claim(s) be qualified to be more
accurate/convincing?
o List the reasons the author offers to support the claim, and a question you have
about each.
Reason 1:
Question:
Reason 2:
Question:
Reason 3:
Question:
Reason 4:
Question:
Reason 5:
Question:
o What questions do you have that remain unanswered?
o What arguments should the author acknowledge (and respond to) in order to be
more persuasive?
o How is the essay organized?
o How might the organization be improved to be more persuasive or easier to
follow?
o Does the author make good use of evidence? Does the evidence support the
reasons?