CRITICAL ANALYSIS: WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATION

BUSB 301 –  CRITICAL ANALYSIS:  WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATION

Analytical Essay 1: Text Analysis                                                                                        (7 points)

For this assignment, you are asked to write a critical analysis essay that analyzes and makes a claim about ONE of the Moodle readings. The essay should develop and prove a point about the text you’ve chosen to analyze. No outside research is required (nor is it permitted) for this assignment. The purpose of the text analysis is to focus on analyzing a specific work and developing critical thinking skills.

Purpose and Focus

A good critical analysis for this assignment

1. Develops a claim to make about the article;
2. Proves your claim with evidence, detailed examples, and reasons; and,
3. In the process of items 1 and 2 above, demonstrates that you understand the argument presented in the article.

• What do you have to sayabout the article, its concepts, claim, and position? Show that you understand the piece, of course, but focus your essay on proving a claim about the article.

Critical Analysis Methods

There are many approaches you could take to this assignment. Here are possible approaches, as examples:

• Explain a concept in one of the texts and apply that concept to a situation you are familiar with. For example, you could use Kurzynski’s analysis of how forgiveness works in an organization to analyze something in your own situation. Or, what can you, as a leader, learn from “The Grumbling Hive”?
• Analyze a subtler concept at work in one of the texts.
  • What pattern can you begin to notice by studying the details of the text?
  • What assumptions are at work? What images?
  • What strategies does the writer use to communicate his or her point?
• Take a different approach of your own choosing. Refer to Writing Analytically for suggestions and inspiration.

Length: at least 3 pages (minimum=approximately 750+ words).

Format: typed or computer-generated, double-spaced, reasonable font, APA or MLA style.

• Cite and list any works referenced in the essay.AVOID PLAGIARISM.

Due Date: 9:00 a.m. on the day of Session 2

Submitting the Essay: Do both of the following:

(1) Submit a copy via the Essay 1 link in the Assignment menu on the course website by 9:00 a.m. on the day of Session 2

AND

(2) Print out a copy and bring it to class (for workshops)