Draft_of_a_Rhetorical_Analysis_of_aPublic_Document

Public Document Assignment

Goal Write a 750-1,000-word rhetorical analysis essay of a public document. This public document is the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html . Your analysis should include at least TWO scholarly sources outside of class texts.

Directions

Complete a close reading of the assigned public document. Then, write a cohesive essay that:

1. Introduces and summarizes the CDC website on ADHD in the introductory paragraph and ends with a thesis statement.

2. Analyzes the rhetorical tools used on the site, the CDC’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos.

3. Evaluates the site’s effectiveness.

This essay is NOT simply an expository or descriptive essay or an analysis of ADHD. It is an analysis of the site and how effectively the site uses rhetorical tools to get its point across.

First Draft Grading

· You will receive completion points for the first draft based upon the successful submission of your draft.

· Because your first draft is a completion grade, do not assume that this grade reflects or predicts the final grade. If you do not consider your instructor’s comments, you may be deducted points on your final draft.

Final Draft Grading

The essay will be graded using a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations.

Sources

· Include in-text citations and a References page in GCU Style for at least TWO scholarly sources outside of class texts.

· These sources should be used to support any claims you make and should be present in the text of the essay.

· Use the GCU Library to help you find sources.

· Include this research in the paper in a scholarly manner.

Format

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

Turnitin

· You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

· Please be sure to review your Turnitin score before submitting the draft to your instructor.

Preparing to Write the Essay

Read the site closely:

1. Read the webpage on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html

· Do a first reading that uses underlining, annotation, and summary to make sure you understand what the writer is saying. Go back to any sections that need clarification.

· On a second reading, pay attention to what the writer(s) of the CDC site is doing by describing the writer’s strategy.

Draft the essay:

The essay should include:

1. Header, essay title, heading in GCU Style

2. An introduction paragraph with a thesis statement

3. At least three body paragraphs

4. A conclusion paragraph

Also, you will need to include a References page and in-text citations formatted in GCU Style with at least TWO scholarly sources outside of class texts.

Submit this assignment to your instructor in the assignment drop box AND post this draft as an attachment in the Module 2 Rhetorical Analysis Peer Review forum

by Day 3 of Week 2.

TOPIC 1: The Legalization of Marijuana

On November 8 2016 the citizens of California passed Proposition 64 which legalized the use of marijuana for adults 21 or older and attached a variety of other conditions related to sales, cultivation and taxes.

One way to formulate the issue for this topic is: Should marijuana be legalized in every state in the US according to the terms of Ballot Measure 64, on the 2016 California ballot?

Here are some resources to begin addressing the above issue and topic:

BALLOT MEASURE 64 AND CONTEXT

http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2016/general/en/pdf/prop64-title-summ-analysis.pdf

https://ballotpedia.org/Marijuana_laws_in_the_United_States

RESOURCES ON 'NO'

http://noon64.net/about/

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/california-bishops-legalizing-marijuana-hurts-kids-the-poor-45910/

RESOURCE ON 'YES'

http://www.yeson64.org/about

OTHER RESOURCES

http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/pdf/

http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2016/general/en/pdf/text-proposed-laws.pdf#prop64

http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Measures/Detail.aspx?id=1381868&session=2015

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures

https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_64,_Marijuana_Legalization_(2016)

http://www.livescience.com/56784-teen-opioid-cannabis-use.html

TOPIC 2: The Death Penalty

This resource page is provided for the following issue: Should the death penalty be banned in the United States?

On the November ballot in 2016 Californians voted to repealed Measure 62, that called for the banning of capital punishment. Do you think that the voters got this right? Should efforts be made to ban the death penalty along the lines of Measure 62?

Below are some resources on this ballot measure:

BALLOT MEASURE 62 AND CONTEX

http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2016/general/en/pdf/prop62-title-summ-analysis.pdf

http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2016/general/en/pdf/62-arg-rebuttals.pdf

RESOURCES ON 'NO'

http://noprop62yesprop66.com

RESOURCE ON 'YES'

http://yeson62.com/death-penalty-facts/

https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_62,_Repeal_of_the_Death_Penalty_(2016)

RELATED PROPOSITION 62:

http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/62/arguments-rebuttals.htm

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES