URGENT - How do I write an article/argument analysis?

[tomatosauce]

I have to do an article/argument analysis... I was away when the teacher explained what it is and how to do it and I have the resources to do it, but literally NO idea/understanding of what it means!  I've attached an article much like the one we have to analyse... please someone help me!

[Mada438]

I have to do an article analysis (under SAC conditions)... I was away when the teacher explained what it is and how to do it and I have the resources to do it, but literally NO idea/understanding of what it means!  I've attached an article much like the one we have to analyse... please someone help me!

Hey!
Sooo i presume you're trying to find a stance to argue regarding the article? (So an English essay?)
Well what we do up in NSW is......
Pretty much read the article and find the points it makes. Do you agree with its overall point? Or Not?
Either way you then have to prove why you have made this stance. Convince people that your point is valid
Look for certain quotes and/or techniques that you can manipulate in order to further your own argument. If something does not further your argument, then don't include. Only include things that emphasize YOUR point

Keep in mind this from a NSW perspective, i don't know how you guys go about doing things down in Victoria
Hope this helps!

[tomatosauce]

Thanks Mada... very helpful! I don't think the state makes much difference, whats more... this is all I know so I'll use it no matter where it came from!

[AngelWings]

I think the "article analysis" you're talking about is essentially what VCE students called the "language analysis task", so you can check out the way VCE students in mainstream English to guide you, like the Language Analysis part of this thread.

Essentially the gist of it is: you're trying to understand how and why this article is persuasive and, like Mada438 said, you're aiming to understand the stance. Things that instantly pop out to me are things like:
- heavy use of second person
- reliance on rhetorical questions and
- informal language.
Why do they use this? What effect does this have on you as a reader? How does this help to push their points forward? These are all questions you have to ask yourself and organise into your final essay. Organising your thoughts into several major ideas generally helps to write each paragraph, as often these articles have several ideas rolled into one and subsequently provide evidence for each idea (which you will have to do as well). 

I will be honest here and admit I haven't done one since I was in Year 10 myself, so best to check out the appropriate VCE resources and hopefully someone else who has done VCE English (mainstream) will respond as well. 

[tomatosauce]

Thank-you so much for this AngelWings!

[Owlbird83]

For the body paragraphs basically repeat this sequence over and over:
-Quote the evidence/persuasive line from the article
-Explain why it is persuasive / the authors intention
-The effect on readers / what it makes them think/feel/do.

For the intro you need to include:
-title
-source
-date
-author
-contention
-tone
-main persuasive techniques
-target audience
 

Also, instead of using the words 'makes the reader...'  or 'shows', try and memorise some different words otherwise it can get quite repetitive.
For example:
-positions the reader to feel
-emphasizes
-demonstrates
-compels
-portrays/characterises .. as
-suggests
-implies
-prompts

[tomatosauce]

Thank-you so much OwlBird! This will be a big help today!

[Snow Leopard]

So my class done an assessment on this and I though I knew what I was doing but the I got my mark and feedback and my teacher said that I wasn't explaining how the visual (there was a photograph in the article) affected the audience. How am I supposed to describe this?

[Owlbird83]

So my class done an assessment on this and I though I knew what I was doing but the I got my mark and feedback and my teacher said that I wasn't explaining how the visual (there was a photograph in the article) affected the audience. How am I supposed to describe this?

Try to think of what the picture makes the author think, feel, do.
For example I had a visual of a criminal in an article about needing harsher jail sentences and I said something like:
The darkened image depicting (name) captures a menacing and unremorseful expression on their face, this encourages the audience to see how dangerous they are and feel scared that they are being set free. The backround of the prison cell is designed to emphasize to readers that the criminal belongs there.

Eg The image depicting the futuristic design for the new apple store, from a low angle reinforces the notion that it is innovative and will enhance the community. It portrays the building positively, encouraging the audience to to see it as benefiting Federation square, and therefore convincing them to support the building plans.

 Hope this helps!

[Snow Leopard]

Try to think of what the picture makes the author think, feel, do.
For example I had a visual of a criminal in an article about needing harsher jail sentences and I said something like:
The darkened image depicting (name) captures a menacing and unremorseful expression on their face, this encourages the audience to see how dangerous they are and feel scared that they are being set free. The backround of the prison cell is designed to emphasize to readers that the criminal belongs there.

Eg The image depicting the futuristic design for the new apple store, from a low angle reinforces the notion that it is innovative and will enhance the community. It portrays the building positively, encouraging the audience to to see it as benefiting Federation square, and therefore convincing them to support the building plans.

 Hope this helps!

Thank you!

[caffinatedloz]

So my class done an assessment on this and I though I knew what I was doing but the I got my mark and feedback and my teacher said that I wasn't explaining how the visual (there was a photograph in the article) affected the audience. How am I supposed to describe this?

Hey Snow Leopard,
I hope I'm not too late but for me, it always helps to think about "how it positions the reader". This is the way I analyse all my quotes in essays as well as images in persuasive pieces.

I often say... "This positions the reader to..." or "This elicits... from the reader."

Hope this helps somewhat,
Laura