Home
Instructor Information
Office Hours
Links

Article Critique Presentations

Oral reports/Brief argumentative essays - 50 points

Students will be assigned an article and will write a brief 2-3 page paper responding to the reading in a persuasive manner.

1. Students must take issue with some specific idea.  It may be a small point of the main
            argument or minor aside to the main argument or it may be a refutation of the
            author's thesis.  You should either support the author’s claims and/or ideas or
            argue against them.  Provide support for your argument by incorporating your own examples to back up your ideas.

2. Students must write a detailed, analytical, point-by-point, thoughtful, convincing, well-
            reasoned argument explaining their ideas.

3. Students may use ONE outside source to support their ideas in arguing something in
            the article.  The outside source should not be used as a simple book report and
            doing so will result in zero points.  Instead, use the source to help backup or
            exemplify your points.  If used, the source must be cited orally and in the paper
            using the MLA format.

4. The object is to test your thinking and reasoning abilities to see if you can analyze the
            article and respond in a clear, intelligent manner.  These should be YOUR ideas.

5. Students must speak for five minutes discussing:
            a. the major elements of the article
            b. the related issue, situation, or idea on which you will focus
            c. your reasoning for your beliefs
            d. students will receive questions and comments from the rest of the class and the instructor.

**You must develop at least two open-ended discussion questions to ask your
            audience at the end of your presentation.  The goal of the questions should be
            to stimulate thought and classroom discussion.

6. You will be in control of the discussion.  If the discussion is dragging, it will be your
            job to stimulate the class with more comments or questions.  If the class begins to
            get out of control, talking over others or not listening, it will be your job to handle
            the issue.

7. These oral reports and essays will be assigned throughout the semester and will help
            form the basis for class discussions.

8.  Papers should be typed, using black ink, 12 point font, 1-inch margins and stapled.
            Include your questions at the end of your paper.

9.  Students must turn in their paper when they do the oral report.  Late papers will not be
            accepted

10.  Presentation of information should follow the requirements of all speeches.  You will
            use note cards (3 max), maintain eye contact, and follow the rules for appropriate
            speech delivery.

The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the creator.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by Columbia State Community College.  If you have questions or comments,
please contact lbenns@columbiastate.edu.

This page was last updated on August 26, 2008