Please review linked submission schedule for dues dates and grade weights

Communication doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it begins as a response to a rhetorical situation. That means writers choose to speak because something in the world demands it: an event, a trend, a conflict, or a shared concern. In this assignment, you will analyze how writers respond to contemporary issues through argument, evidence, and language. This assignment asks you not just to analyze arguments, but to enter the conversation — responding to a real rhetorical situation using journalistic writing, research, and your own collected data.

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First, we’ll work in groups to practice the skills you’ll need for your unique individual submission. Using the New York Times article: They Want to Influence You to Do … Nothing , we’ll practice reverse outline, analysis of sources, and summary.

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Collaborative Analysis & Research Practice

After practicing analysis together, you will work in small groups to choose your own article that addresses a current issue in the social sciences (similar in scope or relevance to the NYT article). Please be ready with your article choice by the February 9th class. Your article must be approved before you start working. Your group will work together to produce a reverse outline, analysis of sources, and summary of the article you choose.

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Collaborative Primary Research

To broaden your response and practice primary research skills, your group will compose and distribute a survey.

Your group will collaboratively:

1. Design a short survey (5–8 questions) related to your chosen article’s topic
2. Distribute the survey to a relevant audience (classmates, peers, online communities, etc.)
3. Collect and analyze responses to identify patterns, insights, or points of tension

Your survey should:

• Connect directly to the claims or concerns raised in your chosen article
• Seek multiple perspectives or lived experiences
• Generate data you can meaningfully reference in your essay

This primary research allows you to test the article’s claims against real audiences and strengthens your understanding of the rhetorical situation. Each group member must collect a minimum of 10 responses.

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Individual Response Essay (Individual Submission)

Although the preparatory work and research are collaborative, each student will write and submit an original, individual response essay.

Write a 750–1000-word essay that:

1. Introduces the exigence of the article your group selected
2. Summarizes the article’s main argument in your own words
3. Incorporates:
   • Findings from your group’s survey (primary research)
   • Two additional credible sources (secondary research) that support, complicate, or challenge the article’s claims
4. Presents your own informed position, supported by evidence and analysis
5. Includes (as a link) access to the Sheet containing all of your survey responses. You can link this into the main text when you’re referring to the survey or add it at the end of the text.

While you may reference shared research and survey results, your analysis, organization, and conclusions must be distinct and original.

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Citation, Style, and formatting for this assignment are in keeping with what a general audience would like to read:

• semi-formal tone and diction,
• inclusion of more personal style–narrative and/or anecdotal evidence (not required),
• links to source material for in-text citations and to fulfill reference list requirements (no formal reference list expected),
• visual appeal–pictures, text design, color–the response should look interesting

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Rhetorical Reflection (Individual)

Your reflection should focus not only on what you learned, but on how well the collaborative writing skills functioned as tools for analysis, research, and argumentation.

In a brief reflection (500 words), explain:

• How the collaborative writing practices (reverse outlining, source analysis, summary writing, and survey design) influenced the development of your individual essay
• How the insights gained from primary research (survey composition, distribution, and analysis) affected your perspective on the issue
• How understanding exigence shaped both the article and your response

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