Article Analysis

What to Do
Step One: Choose one of these recent articles/podcasts (again, pick one that’s interesting to you!)
John P. Davidson, “You Rang? Mastering the Art of Serving the Rich (https://harpers.org/archive/2014/01/you­rang/?
single=1) ” (pairs well with issues in the “Discourse…”)
Nick Paumgarten, “Dead Air: The Rise and Fall of a Sports­Radio Star
(https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/15/the­rise­and­fall­of­a­new­york­shock­jock) ” (pairs well with issues in the
“Discourse…”)
Joshua Rothman, “Decide Wisely: The Art of Decision­Making
(https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/21/the­art­of­decision­making?reload=true) ” (pairs well with issues in
Passing)
Backstory, “The Melting Pot (https://www.backstoryradio.org/shows/the­melting­pot/#segments) ” (pairs well with
issues in Passing)
Hidden Brain, “Good Old Days (https://www.npr.org/2017/10/16/558055384/nostalgia­isnt­just­a­fixation­on­the­past­itcan­be­about­the­future­too) ” (pairs well with issues in the Daodejing and the “Discourse on Happiness”)
This American Life, “Hoaxing Yourself (https://www.thisamericanlife.org/660/hoaxing­yourself) ” (pairs well with issues
in the “Discourse on Happiness” and Passing)
Step Two: Read/Listen to It, Analyze It
As you read/listen, here are some questions to guide you to prepare you to write your essay. (Important: your essay is
not just your answers to these questions; rather, they’re meant to prepare you to write).

1. What is the subject the article/podcast is addressing? What are its major themes?
2. How does the article/podcast approach these issues? How is it structured? What kinds of evidence does it use?
   Whose voices/perspectives does it include?
3. Does the article/podcast seem to be advocating a particular position? Or does it merely seek to inform?
4. How is the discussion of an issue in the article/podcast similar to or different from the way the issue is discussed in
   one of our readings.
   Step Three: Write Your Essay
   6/11/2019 Second Response Essay
   https://templeu.instructure.com/courses/58322/assignments/446472 2/4
   Response Essays
   Essays should be approximately 1200 words (four typed, double­spaced pages). They should use the article/podcast
   you picked as well as one of our assigned readings from units 7­11 (you may not use Gilgamesh, Ecclesiastes, or
   the Apology). Your essay should make an argument that connects the two sources.
   Tips for Writing a Successful Essay
   Have a Strong Introduction/Thesis Statement that Connects the Article/Podcast and Assigned Reading
   Briefly introduce what the sources are
   Explain the themes/issues they share in common
   Make an argument about how the theme is treated similarly/differently:
   Example of a strong thesis: “Both the article and the Epic of Gilgamesh suggest that material possessions are a
   key ingredient for a good life. But while Gilgamesh argues that these possessions are essential for happiness,
   the article’s author insists that they actually make life worse.”
   Example of a mediocre thesis: “The article and the Epic of Gilgamesh offer different perspectives on the value of
   material possessions for a good life.”
   Example of a weak thesis: “Both the article and the Epic of Gilgamesh discuss material possessions
   Use Evidence from Both Sources
   Use quotes from both the assigned reading and article/podcast (use transcripts of podcasts to find quotes)
   Avoid unnecessary summary to set up the quotes (assume I know context)
   Keep quotes under ~3 lines
   Ask for Help!
   Ask questions!
   Email or set up a Google Hangouts call to discuss ideas, outlines, etc.
   Comments on drafts with 48 hours notice.
   Extensions of up to one week.
   6/11/2019 Second Response Essay
   https://templeu.instructure.com/courses/58322/assignments/446472 3/4