Instructions
Your first project – the critical evaluation essay – will be evaluating a TedTalk.Choose a TedTalk you want to discuss by following the hyperlink (or going to Ted.com if the link isn’t working. You can also Google TedTalk to get to the Ted homepage or even find TedTalk videos on YouTube.). When choosing which to watch, aim for a talk you can sink your teeth into, something that interests you and presents a thought-provoking argument on the topic.
Decide whether the talk offers a persuasive and convincing argument.
If you decide it is persuasive and convincing, discuss why. You may use the structure of the argument, the tone, the use of rhetorical appeals, and any other argumentation strategy as proof of the argument’s success. Make sure that your essay has an introduction that contains a hook and a thesis, body paragraphs that discuss one proof at a time (one paragraph per example), and a conclusion.
If you decide that the talk is not convincing, then discuss the fallacies that the argument makes or other failings, such as structure, tone, and so forth. You are still required to have a strong introduction (hook and thesis), body paragraphs that discuss one supporting point at a time, and a conclusion.
You may also discuss how the talk is successful with reservations. In this case, point to both the weaknesses and the strengths you have found in the work.
You are not offering personal or historical commentary, commenting on the writer/speaker, responding to the ideas in the argument, or summarizing or restating the argument; you are evaluating the argument itself in rhetorical terms. This is an opportunity for us to learn from other writers/speakers’ approaches to posing an argument.
Requirements:
- This paper should be at least 700 words, but no more than 850.
- The paper should be formatted correctly using MLA, APA, or Chicago–your choice based on your field of study or preference.
- It must be written in third person (do not use the words such as I, me, us, we, or you).
- The essay should also contain citations and a works cited page based on your selected talk–no need to use outside or additional sources other than the piece you’re analyzing.
- The introductory paragraph must make direct mention to the talk being analyzed.
