Assessing the Relative Strengths and Weaknesses of Multiple Texts

Assessing the Relative Strengths and Weaknesses of Multiple Texts

Paper details

The first text we analyzed this semester, the film “Happy”, touched briefly on the idea that happiness is increased when taking others into account, such as being part of a community and doing acts of kindness to others. Campbell also touches on this idea in the “return” stage of the hero’s journey when the hero must “give back” to society what he gained on his journey. The three texts being evaluated for this essay, Aristotle’s “Nichomachean Ethics”, Mill’s “Utilitarianism”, and the film “Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe”, all explore the connection between happiness and community.

For this essay, taking into account the audience for each of these three texts, assess their relative strengths and weaknesses. This will include identifying the claims made in each text and discussing the rhetorical strategies and text structure in relation to their audience.

Instead of simply discussing each text separately, though, draw connections between them, considering ways these texts challenge, complicate, or enrich one another. Bearing the audience of each text in mind, identify which most effectively achieves its desired end. The evaluation should not merely reflect a personal opinion on the matter, but instead result from rhetorical analysis and evaluation.

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Successful essays will:

Assess (evaluate) the relative strengths and weaknesses of each text’s argument.

Analyze the rhetorical strategies and structure that each text employs.

Demonstrate an awareness of the texts’ audiences that informs the overall analysis and evaluation.

Draw connections among the texts, considering how they challenge, complicate, or enrich one another.

Identify the text that most effectively achieves its desired end.

Key learning outcomes:

Assess the relative strengths of arguments in multiple texts.

Analyze a variety of texts commonly encountered in the academic setting.

Craft well-reasoned arguments for specific audiences.