Welcome to the Argument Analysis Course!
Having just recently graduated in 2023, we know how difficult argument analysis can be. Because it’s arguably the “easiest” section of the exam, it can be really tricky to set yourself apart from other students. Everyone knows how to identify the contention. Everyone knows how to chunk the supporting arguments. Everyone knows how to structure an AA essay.
That’s exactly why we’ve built this course. We want to help you understand EXACTLY what assessors are looking for, so you can spend less time stressing about the requirements, and more time writing an AWESOME essay.
Whether you struggle picking out the persuasive devices or analysing the arguments, there’s something in this course for you. We’ve also developed an Argument Analysis Resource Pack, with a vocabulary sheet, an exmplary AA essay, templates, and a list of the common persuasive devices, with examples and possible points of analysis.
So, that’s all from us. You can either watch the course in order, or jump to the topics that you want to focus on — it’s really up to you!
Let’s break it down together.
— Jackson Smith and Alyssa Solidaga
-
-
-
Lesson 1: Annotating
We break down the annotating process, including what to look out for during your first, second, and third read of your AA text.
We break down the annotating process, including what to look out for during your first, second, and third read of your AA text.
-
Lesson 2: Context & Article Details
We explain how to identify the context and article details (i.e. author, textual form, publisher, date and title) of your AA text.
We explain how to identify the context and article details (i.e. author, textual form, publisher, date and title) of your AA text.
-
Lesson 3: Contention & Intention
We explain how to identify an A+ contention and intention, outlining the significance of detail and precision.
We explain how to identify an A+ contention and intention, outlining the significance of detail and precision.
-
Lesson 4: Target Audience
We explain how to identify an A+ target audience, going through the importance of recognising subsets of the readership and understanding their views and values.
We explain how to identify an A+ target audience, going through the importance of recognising subsets of the readership and understanding their views and values.
-
Lesson 5: Supporting Arguments & Tone
We explain how to chunk the AA text into supporting arguments thematically and chronologically. We then go through how to identify the tonal shifts of persuasive writing.
We explain how to chunk the AA text into supporting arguments thematically and chronologically. We then go through how to identify the tonal shifts of persuasive writing.
-
Lesson 6: Persuasive Devices
We delve into persuasive devices, outlining the importance of choosing relevant and a wide range of techniques (e.g. granular linguistic features and broad persuasive points of analysis).
We delve into persuasive devices, outlining the importance of choosing relevant and a wide range of techniques (e.g. granular linguistic features and broad persuasive points of analysis).
-
-
-
Lesson 1: Introductions & Conclusions
We go through the structure of AA introductions and conclusions.
We go through the structure of AA introductions and conclusions.
-
Lesson 2: Body Paragraphs - Topic Sentences
We explain how to write AA topic sentences, outlining the importance of stating the author’s argument, mentioning their justification, and using precise verbs.
We explain how to write AA topic sentences, outlining the importance of stating the author’s argument, mentioning their justification, and using precise verbs.
-
Lesson 3: Body Paragraphs - Persuasive Devices
We explain how to analyse persuasive devices, unpacking the ‘what-how-why’ structure, and mentioning the importance of detail and precision.
We explain how to analyse persuasive devices, unpacking the ‘what-how-why’ structure, and mentioning the importance of detail and precision.
-
Lesson 4: Body Paragraphs - Linking Sentences
We explain how to write AA linking sentence, outlining the importance of linking the author’s supporting argument to their contention and intention.
We explain how to write AA linking sentence, outlining the importance of linking the author’s supporting argument to their contention and intention.
-
-
-
Lesson 1: Credibility
We delve into credibility, outlining how to identify and analyse this technique in persuasive writing.
We delve into credibility, outlining how to identify and analyse this technique in persuasive writing.
-
Lesson 2: Rebuttals
We delve into rebuttals, outlining how to identify and analyse refutation techniques in persuasive writing.
We delve into rebuttals, outlining how to identify and analyse refutation techniques in persuasive writing.
-
Lesson 3: Connotations
We delve into connotations, outlining how to identify and analyse loaded language in persuasive writing.
We delve into connotations, outlining how to identify and analyse loaded language in persuasive writing.
-
Lesson 4: Diction
We delve into diction, outlining how to identify and analyse the author’s intentional choice of words in persuasive writing.
We delve into diction, outlining how to identify and analyse the author’s intentional choice of words in persuasive writing.
-
We delve into images, outlining how to analyse their literal and symbolic nature.
-
Lesson 6: Argument Development
We explain the significance of analysing the sequence of persuasive devices and development of arguments.
We explain the significance of analysing the sequence of persuasive devices and development of arguments.
-
Lesson 7: Written Expression
We outline how to improve your written expression, including the importance of varying your vocabulary, syntax, and the form of devices.
We outline how to improve your written expression, including the importance of varying your vocabulary, syntax, and the form of devices.
-