Reading and analysis of a book

Reading and analysis of a book

This is an assignment that focuses on the reading and analysis of a book with more than 100 pages. The paper also requires reading of various topics and selections.

The reading and analysis of a book with more than 100 pages

In this lecture it is important to begin to see how your own argumentative style is
beginning to form.
Alright, let’s look at paper #2. This will be another opportunity to argue, but from
a different perspective.

This paper is very similar to the first paper in structure and argument but the focus
is shifted to a full length book.  What you need to do for this paper is to read a
book that is at least 100 pages in length.  This can be on anything, it does not have
to be on music.  Then you need to construct an argument either for the argument
the book gives, against the argument the book gives or through the argument the
book gives.  More is discussed below.
However, please make sure that this is not a book report.  It must be an argument where the
only discussion of the book happens in the ethos and then it is used to support the
argument.

The reading and analysis of a book with more than 100 pages

The structure and explanation are below.  They are very similar to the discussion in
Lecture 4 so please go back if you need more clarification.
Here is the one structure of Paper #2 with the strongest argumentative structure
used.

The important difference in this paper is the use of the Ethos and also how you
construct the argument.  So let’s break it apart more like we did for paper #1.
Intro- Opening Hook
Thesis
Mention everything in the paper
Transition to the Ethos

Ethos 1 (here is where you have a difference)–Four sentences on the plot of the
book or the point if it is non-fiction
Transition to Ethos 2

Ethos 2 – Four sentences on the main character or the author’s background if
nonfiction.
Transition to Counter Argument
Intro
Ethos
Counter
Strong (1) quote your source here
Explication (1)
Mid (2) Quote your source here
Explication (2)
Weak (3) Quote your source here
Explication (3)
Conclusion

Firstly, you need to be sure that you can find research that is effective in supporting your
argument not just the book.  This is the challenge of this assignment.  You must be
sure to not do research on the book but on the thesis statement that you create.
Here are some ways to do this, as mentioned above:
Secondly, choose a book first, it can be fiction or non-fiction.  This can be a political book or
something that is a fun read, as long as it is over 100 pages.  You can also use
something that you have already read, but you must reread it from an
argumentative perspective.  If you give me a paper on a book that you read in high
school it will not get a very good grade unless you reread the book with a different
focus.

Thirdly, so how do you do this? You can either argue with the book, against the book or through the book.
With the book- The book is on veganism and overweight people in America.  You
write a paper that supports this argument and also the thesis statement is something
like: Americans are fat and must stop depending on meat.  You would then do
research on obesity and meat production.

Against the book – The same book on veganism and overweight people in
America.  Additionally, write a paper that suggests the writing is moronic and an utopist
ideal.   The thesis statement would be something like: Americans must keep eating
meat to survive.  You would then do research on how we need to eat meat.
Through the book – Keeping the same book on veganism and also overweight people in
America.  You write a paper on obesity and also children in America and your thesis is
something like: We must have better eating habits in America or our children will
suffer.  You would then do research on overweight children.
That would be for a non- fiction book.  However, you do not have to choose this.  You may
choose a fiction book and then you have to come up with a thesis that makes sense
within the context of the book.

With the book – You choose to read Twilight and want to argue that love conquers
all.   Your thesis statement would be something like: In a world that is full of chaos
the only thing that matters is the love for mankind.   You would then do research
on the way love has been used throughout time.

Against the book – Twilight is the same choice and you want also to write about how
ridiculous it is to believe that love will save the day.  Your thesis statement would
be something like: The concept of love is often overused in situations as an excuse.
You would then do research on divorce rates and also marriage issues.

Through the book –Twilight is the same choice and you want also to write about how
vampire fiction is an outlet for sexual repression in our society.  Your thesis would
be something like: Vampire literature has always been use to represent sexual
repression.  Your research would then be on Victorian vampires and also examples of
sexual repression.