Critical Analysis Assignment Sheet
English 1301
For the critical analysis paper, you must analyze and critique Jay Chiat’s
essay “Illusions Are Forever.”
You have two goals to accomplish in the essay: 1) focus on HOW
(analysis) Chiat develops his thesis, and 2) on HOW WELL (critique) he does it.
To determine the HOW, use the Critical Analysis Worksheets that you filled out.
Choose at least three (3) of the items from the worksheet. Those items will form
the framework of your analysis of Chiat’s article. For example, in the sample
essay, the student used word choice, description, and examples to analyze how
John Leo developed his thesis that a new type of no-rules advertising is harmful
to our society.
To include your critique of HOW WELL Chiat gets his thesis across, give
your judgment or opinion of whether or not you think he has done a good job with
each of the three items you chose. The sample essay does a good job of this in
the first body paragraph. For instance, the student critiques Leo’s word choice
by saying that the words the author uses insult the reader and, therefore, take
away from his purpose.
In your introduction, tell a bit about the author, give the purpose of his
essay as you see it, and tell what his thesis is (if it is different from his purpose).
Then present your thesis, which should include the three items you picked from
your worksheet and your overall judgment of how well you think the author has
done.
Each body paragraph should include analysis and critique. For instance, if
in one paragraph you analyze Chiat’s word choice, you must also critique his
word choice in that same paragraph. Your critique does not have to be all
negative or all positive; it can be a combination of both if that’s what you see in
the essay.
In your conclusion, sum up your critical analysis of the article and reiterate
your thesis (but don’t repeat it word for word).
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3 ½ -5 pages
Typed, double-spaced, MLA format throughout
Submit to turnitin.com by class time to avoid late penalty.
Due: October 19, 2015