More Frequently Asked Questions for the

Argument Critique Essay (revised from Fall 2007)

1.) "Why do we need to use sources for this paper?"

• The simple answer: because I said so. (But I hate sounding like a parent.) The sophisticated answer: because it's in the assignment. And it's in the assignment because it's a learner outcome for the course. And it's a learner outcome for the course because most academic writing, the writing you will do in other college courses, requires the writer not only to express his/her own ideas and opinions about a topic but also to incorporate and build upon the ideas of others (your sources).

2.) "Can I write this essay without sources?"

• No. (See response to question 1.) But, you can write the first draft, which is due Monday 4/28, without sources. And in fact I even mentioned for essay #3 that this might be a good idea. Then you have your ideas down first before you incorporate your sources. But you will need to begin incorporating sources before draft 2, and definitely before the final draft. The sooner you incorporate sources, however, the better feedback you can get on your paper.

3.) "This assignment really doesn't seem to require sources."

• (First, that's not really a question.) True, this kind of assignment could be done without sources (see part of the answer to question 2), and in the future you might get a critique assignment from another professor in another class where you won't be required to do research; for example, see LBB pages 120-122. (On second thought, don't look at this example, because as I've said, different profs. define "critique" differently, and the example in the LBB is NOT the kind of critique that I want you to do.) Back to the point: This assignment for you DOES require sources.

4.) "How many sources do I need?"

• The assignment says to research and find 6 sources and use 3 of them in your essay. If you are really, really, really, really ... get it? ... desperate, I guess you could consider the "primary source" (Ericsson, Kasser, Postman, Schwartz or Williams) to be 1 of the 5 sources ... but that's only if you are really desperate.

5.) "How do I use sources in this essay?"

• Perhaps the BEST question of all:

(A) Perhaps find a source which "questions" a main idea, the thinking or the logical reasoning, or a piece of evidence in the primary source (for example, a source about the dangers of obesity which opposes one of Schwartz's sources).

(B) Perhaps find a source which offers another argument to support the primary source.

(C) Perhaps find a source which offers a counter-argument to oppose the primary source--note: this is different from idea "A."

(D) Perhaps find a source which supports or questions the credentials of the author.

(E) Perhaps find a source which gives information about the original publication source.

(F) Perhaps find a source which was written in response to your primary source; for example, a book review, or a letter to the editor in a magazine or a scholarly journal, or a student paper posted on a course website.

6.) Finally:

• Trust me, this is both a beneficial and a fun assignment. Trust me. Seriously.