General assignment: Your first critique will be an analysis of chapter 11 of The Birth Order Book: “Birth Order Marriages Aren’t Made in Heaven.” No other sources are required for this assignment. In writing the critique, be sure to follow the guidelines discussed in class and in any assigned readings about critique.

Preparing to write: Read the chapter carefully to develop a sound understanding of the main ideas; every critique includes a brief summary, so make sure you know the basic facts. Remember that in writing a critique you are examining the reasoning reflected in the text. It is appropriate, in a critique, to indicate your agreement or disagreement, but that is secondary to your analysis. Thus, it is appropriate to talk about the following:

strengths or weaknesses of the author’s generalizations;

the evidence or examples used to support the generalizations;

the logic used by the author in connecting examples or evidence and generalizations (be on the lookout for logical fallacies);

the organization or arrangement of the author’s work;

the author’s use of tone and language, such as emotionally loaded terms;

the appropriateness of the text for the intended audience.

This general arrangement or outline for critique (or a variation on it) is recommended:

Introduction: Identification of the source, background, context, and statement of the general evaluation (thesis)

Summary (just one paragraph)

Analysis based on any or all of these aspects (this section is two to four paragraphs):

Accuracy of facts

Relevance of facts

Interpretation of facts, including the author’s use of logic

Purpose and accomplishment of the purpose

Critique writer’s opinion, with analysis (may be omitted)

Conclusion: Pull everything together; reiterate the general evaluation

After you’ve done your reading, write a one-paragraph summary of the entire text. Then make a list of its strengths and weaknesses. This will help you design your thesis statement, which should be a statement of your overall evaluation or assessment of the text. When you have decided on your thesis, write a sentence outline for the critique, using the thesis and a focus sentence for each paragraph of the paper, including the conclusion. Then write a first draft. Be sure to revisit the thesis once you have accomplished a full draft of the paper to make sure the thesis is specific and comprehensive.

Use of sources: Except for common knowledge, always make clear when you’re borrowing words or ideas from your source. First, make clear transitions between your words and those of the source. Use transition markers like “Kevin Leman writes . . . “ At the ends of any sentences that contain words or ideas from sources, you must put in parentheses the page number(s) that the words or ideas appear on (and the author’s name too, if you haven’t mentioned it in your sentence). For more information about what to cite or how to cite, see Rules for Writers or the Purdue University OWL web site (guide to documentation).

Your final draft should be 750-1,000 words long (3-4 typed pages), typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Your name, the number and name of the course, and the date you turn in the paper should be in the upper right- or left-hand corner. Make sure to follow the general format guidelines for a short paper outlined on pp. 526-32 of Rules for Writers. The final page of your essay should be your Works Cited page, listing chapter 11 of The Birth Order Book. You are not required to use additional sources for this assignment, but if you do, please cite them appropriately. You will upload the final draft on Bright Space under “Assignments” in the Critique 1 drop box and bring a hard copy to class.

Make sure to edit the final draft carefully. Sometimes, we are more likely to spot mistakes if we read drafts aloud. Please remember that your professor can help you at any stage (Britt 200) or you can visit the Writing Center (Stanley Library, main floor).

Deadlines for Critique 1 are as follows: The peer workshop will be Wednesday, March 30, and you should bring the outline and a print draft to class. Afterward, review your evaluations carefully and decide which suggestions you want to incorporate during your revision. Your final draft is due by the beginning of the Easter break; please upload it by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 1.

Rubrics for the Critique 1 assignment:

Content
1. Chapter 11 of Leman, The Birth Order Book;
2. A paraphrase and a direct quotation from Leman, chapter 10 or 11, cited appropriately;
3. A works cited page listing the Leman book

Composition (Writing)
1. An effective introduction, introducing the source and author and providing background and a general evaluation (thesis);
2. A summary of at least one paragraph covering the main ideas of Leman, ch. 11.
3. Effective focus and arrangement of ideas (organization) and paragraphing, “consistent with standard rules and recognized conventions using appropriate methodologies”;
4. Sufficient development of each main point with examples and illustrations from the source and (if relevant) from other sources and the writer’s own experience;
5. Clear and competent writing;
6. Adherence to standard principles of documentation and paper format, according to the Modern Language Association (MLA);
7. Effective proofreading and editing; and
8. Adherence to the deadlines established in this assignment.

The Composition rubric is derived from the standard conventions for writing outlined in Rules for Writers and to Ferrum College Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) in area no. 3, “Communication Skills,” which state that “Through experiences in both the Core Requirements and the Major, the Ferrum College graduate will Communicate with unity of purpose and coherent organization consistent with standard rules and recognized conventions using appropriate technologies.”