Purpose

Writing a summary of another argument is a first step toward joining an academic conversation and finding our voice within it.  Writing a summary encourages us to understand another point of view fully and describe it precisely so others can understand. The next step is to assess the argument; that is, to decide whether it is valid.  Is it a strong argument that we can wholeheartedly support?  Is it partly right and partly wrong?  Is it deeply flawed?  In an assessment, we get to clarify our own take on whether the argument holds up under scrutiny.

Writing Task

Write a thorough summary, assessment, and response to The New York Times columnist John Eligan’s “A Debate Over Identity and Race Asks, Are African-Americans ‘Black’ or ‘black’?” or German Lopez’ article for Vox, “Why You Should Stop Saying ‘All Lives Matter,’ Explained in 9 Different Ways." (This essay prompt can be adapted to work with most any college-level text. See Suggested Short Readings Links to an external site. for some possibilities.)

Requirements: 

• The essay should be at least 4 pages long. 
• The summary section or sections should describe the key ideas of the argument, including the main claim, key reasons, counterarguments, rebuttals, and limits.
• The assessment section or sections should discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the argument. What was compelling, persuasive, troubling, unclear, or problematic?
• The response section or sections should bring in an original suggestion to add to the conversation based on the summary and assessment and your own opinions.  
• Choose phrases like “Eligan argues…” throughout to show the writer’s purpose at each point. 
• Write most of the essay in your own words, but consider using the occasional direct quote where the original word choice is critical.
• The introductory paragraph should include the title of the argument, the author’s full name, the argument’s main claim, and your overall assessment of the argument's validity.
• Make sure each paragraph presents and then supports a single main point with specifics.
• Edit the paper for errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, word use, spelling, and proofreading (see Chapter 14: Style: Shaping Your Sentences Links to an external site.).
• Cite paraphrased or quoted material from the book or article you are writing about, or from any other works, according to MLA guidelines. This assignment does not require a Works Cited page.
  
  

Suggestions for the Writing Process 

1. Read or reread the chapters. Chapter 2: Reading to Figure out the Argument, Links to an external site. Chapter 3: Writing a Summary of Another Writer’s Argument, Links to an external site. Chapter 4: Assessing the Strength of an Argument Links to an external site. , and Chapter 5: Making Your Recommendation in Response to an Argument Links to an external site. are meant to guide you through the steps of this assignment. They include examples of summary, assessment, and response writing and suggested sample phrases.
2. Read one or more sample summary, assessment, and response papers Links to an external site. to get an idea of what you are aiming at.
3. Reread the argument you have chosen and make notes as you go on its claims, reasons, counterarguments, rebuttals, and limits.
4. Make an argument map and/or answer the brainstorming questions. Note: Making an argument map can be helpful, but it can be tricky, especially if you are summarizing a complex longer argument. If you are getting stuck working on the map, the brainstorming questions will also help you think about the structure of the argument.
5. Write a draft.
6. Seek feedback from a tutor, classmate, friend, or teacher.
7. Revise the content.
8. Proofread for grammar and punctuation.

Essay assignment created by Natalie Peterkin and Saramanda Swigart, edited by Anna Mills, and offered under a CC BY-NC license Links to an external site..