Explain How the Baby Boomers Destroyed Everything by Bruce Cannon Gibney
Vox Joins the Effort to Divert Class Warfare into Generational Warfare by Dean Baker.
PROMPT
For this essay, you will examine and analyze some of the rhetorical elements of two arguments.
To do this, analyze certain strategies each author relies on and the logical fallacies committed in
pursuit of persuasion. The purpose of your essay is to be able to accurately identify and
demonstrate an understanding of how rhetorical elements are developed with authorial intent on
a target audience. With this in mind, write an argument in which you analyze rhetorical elements
of both Gibneys and Bakers arguments on baby boomers.
STRUCTURE
Introduction:
1. Have an introduction that explains the topic of these articles and the significance of this
topic to American society.
2. Then, transition to introduce your two sources, clearly stating each separately: by
credential and name, title, and main point of each authors text.
3. Then, transition to focus your paper by explaining why evaluation is an important skill to
have in todays society, especially in light of the two articles.
4. Lastly, transition to develop an argument that supports the following claim: Author Xs
use of fallacy and rhetorical appeals is more effective/ineffective (use one or the other).
Note: You may alter this claim to suit your tastes, but be sure your version clearly
states the same idea in an arguable sentence. (Your task is to argue which article is
more effective in persuading readers and construct an argument to support your
decision.)
Body:
In the first Body paragraph, give a brief overview of each article. Follow this with a brief
analysis of similarities and differences between the two texts. This will give readers a
good idea of the articles.
Following the overview, write a paragraph evaluating Text 1s strengths. Identify 1-2
quotes that are good examples of the strengths of the argument. Explain why these
quotes are strengths and be able to clearly explain your interpretation. How do these
strategies help to convince the reader of the argument? How effectively does the author
convince the reader?
Next, evaluate Text 1s weaknesses. Identify at least one quote that is weak or flawed to
illustrate your point. Identify one (or more) fallacy and explain the weaknesses, how the
author erred, and the effect this has on the audience. Then, explain whether or not these
weaknesses undermine the effectiveness of the argument as a whole. Be able to support
your decision with assumptions the author may be making along with your own logic and
reasoning.
In the next body paragraph, evaluate Text 2s strengths. Identify 1-2 quotes that are good
examples of the strengths of the argument. Explain why these quotes are effective and be
able to clearly explain your interpretation. How do these strategies help to convince the
reader of the argument? How effectively does the author convince the reader?
Then, evaluate Text 2s weaknesses. Identify at least one quote that is weak or flawed to
illustrate your point. Identify one (or more) fallacy and explain the weaknesses, how the
author erred, and the effect this has on the audience. Then, explain whether or not these
weaknesses undermine the effectiveness of the argument as a whole. Be able to support
your decision with assumptions the author may be making along with your own logic and
reasoning.
Conclusion:
Finally, conclude by establishing, based on your evaluation, which article is more
effective and explain your decision. Make clear your position by explaining your logic.
Do not use quotes, instead rely on your logic based on the evaluation completed above.
Then, end the conclusion by explaining what society needs to learn from the argument
between these two authorswhat should we do with this info? Be sure to broaden the
perspective, such as from measles & anti-vaccination to science denial. Make a final
point that gives significance and brings closure.
Requirements:
Your essay should be a minimum of 4 (or more) full pages in MLA format (not
including the Works Cited).
Your essay should clearly follow the prompt, answering the questions and
addressing all tasks indicated.
Use quotes effectively using the 3-step method: set up context, quote/cite, and
explain your interpretation of it.
Create well developed paragraphs using the AXES method.
Be coherent and demonstrate understanding of evaluation.
Demonstrate understanding of fallacies and be able to effectively critique an
argument.
Demonstrate clear logical reasoning in your argument about the effectiveness of each
authors argument.
