1. ENG 101 – Bolton
Essay Assignment 2: Text Analysis
Important Dates and Requirements
Draft Due to TurnitIn for PeerMark: (MW)Wednesday, June 20 (by 11:59 pm)
(TR) Thursday, June 21 (by 11:59 pm)
Peer Review Must be Completed By: (MW) Friday, June 22 (by 11:59 pm)
(TR) Saturday, June 23 (by 11:59 pm)
Paper Due to Instructor: (MW) June 25; (TR) June 26 (by 5:00 p.m.)
Length: 900-1300 words*
Outside Sources Required: Two—the text you are analyzing and one additional source
from the library databases or catalog*
Submission Methods: Hard copy (to me), electronic copy to TurnitIn
* Essays that are too short, too long, or don’t meet the source requirements will receive half credit.
Note: You will also be required to turn in additional work that you complete as part of the writing
process—see rubric page for details.
Your second essay assignment will be a text analysis. Please follow these guidelines when constructing
your essay, and refer to the appropriate chapters in your textbook(s) for additional suggestions and
guidelines:
Choose ONE of the following texts to analyze/respond to (some are in your Norton Field Guide
and some are on D2L (under ―Content‖ – ―Writing a Text Analysis‖ – ―Additional Essay
Options‖); make sure you have a copy of the text you choose! – any essay written on a text that
is not on this list will receive a zero):
o ―What’s the Matter with Kids Today?‖ – Amy Goldwasser (NFG, pgs. 666-669)
o ―Whodunit – The Media?‖ – Maggie Cutler (NFG, pgs. 684-690)
o ―Some Like It Hot‖ – Lawrence Lessing (NFG, pgs. 88-92)
o ―Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted‖ – Malcolm Gladwell (D2L,
pgs. 312-328)
o ―Reforming Egypt in 140 Characters?‖ – Dennis Baron (D2L, pgs. 329-334)
o ―2b or Not 2b?‖ – David Crystal (D2L, pgs. 335-346)
Include an interesting, engaging title for your essay
In your introduction, include an appropriate summary of the text for your readers and identify the
text’s main argument
Respond to the text’s argument (this will be your thesis statement)
Quote (cite) from the text at least once in your essay(if you don’t, essay will receive half credit)
Offer reasons for your response—the body of your essay should refer back to the essay and offer
your own ideas on the essay’s argument (additional handouts and sample essay on D2L)
Follow MLA Format(which means you will have a Works Cited page that includes the correct
entry for the text as well as an entry for your additional source!)
o Hint: #7 on pg. 443 of your Norton Field Guide will help you cite the essay itself!
Proofread carefully for grammatical, technical, and mechanical errors
Research Component:
Find at least one article (or book) that has to do with the issue being discussed—you must cite
from this (directly quote) in your essay!

2. Student Name: _________________________ Peer Review Grade: _____/20
Essay 2: Text Analysis (150 points)
Scale: 15 = perfect/excellent, 12 = good, 9 = fair, 0 = poor or missing
15 12 9 0
Introduction effectively and objectively summarizes text, states text’s
argument, and provides necessary background information
Thesis statement is clear and well-developed, states a logical response to the
text’s claim, and is the last sentence of the introduction
Each body paragraph includes a topic sentence that outlines that paragraph
and connects to the thesis
Body paragraphs are appropriate, concrete, and well-developed; reasons for
agreeing/disagreeing are stated and logical
In-text citations are formatted correctly, properly framed (introduced and
discussed), and effective in supporting thesis)
Conclusion avoids introducing new ideas and adequately summarizes essay
Transitions effectively enhance essay’s ―flow‖ by guiding reader
Vocabulary, language use, and word choices are correct and appropriate
Note: You should avoid second-person (“you”)!!
Grammar, spelling, and mechanics demonstrate correct use of Standard Edited
American English
MLA Format is followed throughout essay (including Works Cited page)
* Please consult your essay for details; if you do not understand a comment I made, please don’t
hesitate to come see me during office hours to discuss your essay.
Checklist:
All of the following items are due along with the hard copy of your essay
(NO later); put everything in your folder. For each of these items
missing, your essay will be penalized up to 20 points. Grade: _____/150
□ copy of this rubric (print and turn in)
□ copy of text analyzed (copy or find online)—text must be
thoroughly annotated
□ analysis of rhetorical situation for essay (typed, printed)
□ outline for essay (can be handwritten, see D2L for worksheet)
□ self-editing worksheet with rough draft (see D2L)
□ copy of article about issue (make copy if from book) that has
been annotated
□ discussion post (with Amy Harris) on D2L(under ―Discussions‖
- must be completed by 11:59 p.m. Friday, 22—you should
respond to the post with well-developed thoughts/ideas)
Don’t forget that you also have to submit your final copy to
Turnitin.com as well!