2.1.10 Practice: Complete Your Assignment The assignment for this lesson is to write a letter to Edward Abbey that explains why one of his arguments in “The Damnation of a Canyon” is unconvincing. You

2.1.10 Practice: Complete Your Assignment

The assignment for this lesson is to write a letter to Edward Abbey that explains why one of his arguments in “The Damnation of a Canyon” is unconvincing. Your letter should be about four paragraphs long, and each paragraph needs to do a different job.

You should have created a draft of this assignment in the writing activity called “Prepare an Argument.” If you didn’t complete that activity, you should go back and do so now. If you have already completed the draft, continue to the next page to start revising.

This writing assignment focuses on the following skills:

• Using pathos, ethos, or logos to grab Abbey’s attention
• Explaining one ineffective use of rhetoric in his essay
• Showing how he can fix the problem
• Encouraging him to revise his work

2.1.10 Practice: Complete Your Assignment

Practice

English 9 Sem 2

Points Possible:30

Write a letter to Edward Abbey that explains why one of his arguments in “The Damnation of a Canyon” is unconvincing. Your letter should be about four paragraphs long, and each paragraph needs to do a different job.Your assignment should include the following elements:

• A variety of audience appeals — pathos, ethos, and logos — to get Abbey’s attention
• An explanation of one ineffective use of rhetoric in his essay
• A suggestion for how Abbey might improve his argument
• A recommendation to Abbey that he revise his work to appeal to a wider audience

You should have completed a draft of this assignment in the activity before this one. If you haven’t done so, go back and complete that activity now.Ask yourself these questions as you revise:

• Did I write a letter to Edward Abbey explaining why one aspect of his rhetoric in “The Damnation of a Canyon” is unconvincing?
• Did I identify the rhetorical strategy or logical fallacy and use an example from Abbey’s essay as evidence?
• Did I explain why the rhetoric or fallacy was unconvincing?
• Did I offer a suggestion for improving the essay?
• Did I use transitions between my ideas?
• Did I maintain a formal style and an objective tone?

Use this rubric to determine how well you’re meeting the criteria for the assignment.