This assignment calls for you to write a critical essay in response to the reading provided. The essay needs to be between 750 and 1000 words and should reflect careful thought, writing, and attention to form. Going over 1000 word limit is ok.

The analysis essay is a form of expository prose, a kind of writing in which you argue several points. The topic of your analysis is your critical response to the ideas in one of the articles.

Read the chosen article several times, noting the thesis and the sub points in the reading. You can also note aspects of style that affect the strengths and weaknesses in the article, and how well the article develops its main and sub points. You may need to do additional research about each of the authors before you begin formulating your analysis.

You then need to formulate your critical response to the article. Consider whether you agree with the main point, the persuasiveness of the arguments, the arrangement of the sub points (organization), clarity, and the intellectual level of the writing, emotional and/or logical appeals, and the writing style.

Then begin to outline your essay, deciding on your thesis, and the supporting subpoints you will develop. Consider also how you will organize your essay. It is usually best to begin with an introduction in which you seek the reader’s attention, state your thesis, and preview the subpoints. Then, develop your subpoints which will be the main the body of your essay. Finally, plan a conclusion that restates your thesis, reviews the subpoints (briefly), and ends with an effective closing. You will probably need to revise your outline several times, and keep going back to the article.

Strive for clear organization, clarity, and developing 2-3 subpoints in support of your thesis. You need to show whether you agree with the thesis in the article, and explain the basis for your agreement (or disagreement).

Additional Research Required

To support your analysis, you must cite at least 2 scholarly sources. These have to be in addition to sources you read as part of the course. So citing course readings is strongly suggested but will not count towards the 2 source requirement.

Grading Criteria

The essays will be evaluated according to: 1) soundness of content (logic and reasoning in support of the thesis; development of main points; 2) clear organization (intro, body, conclusion; subpoints fully developed); 3) writing style (effective language, grammar, punctuation, and proper format in references); and 4) use of sources (cited sources are credible and used fully, not just for one quote)

*TOPIC*

Read Chapter 4, conduct additional research, and reflect on the following. Men’s rights groups argue that some contemporary practices and policies, such as child custody customs and laws discriminate against men. Investigate some of the laws in place in your community and discuss whether you believe they are discriminatory. Justify your responses, indicating why/how you think the laws either do or do not discriminate against men, and if you believe the laws are discriminatory, offer suggestions for how you think the issues under consideration could be addressed in nondiscriminatory ways. Use additional research to support your analysis.