Name:

Period:

Inquiry Project Article Analysis

How do I determine the authors claim?

1. Ask yourself: How does the author feel about the topic? What side does he take on this
topic? (Hint: look at the focus questions from your Inquiry Project Handout)

2. Look at the title and first couple paragraphs. The authors stance should be hidden
there.

3. Once you have figured out the authors stance on the topic, you need to find out HOW
this person supports this side. What reasons and evidence does the author give?

a. If you have a hard time with this, ask yourself: What do I ALREADY KNOW about
this topic? This can be from prior knowledge or f our learning stations activity.
Does the author mention this in his argument? (If weve heard it on the news or
through social media, theres a good chance the author will mention it).

4. Follow the same steps to find the counterclaim.
a. Look back at the focus questions. What is the other side of this argument?
b. What reasons and evidence does he give to support the counterclaim?

Tree map sentence frames:

Police Brutality
pPolice abuse their power because (reason).
Evidence: quote from the text (MLA citation).

Police do not abuse their power because(reason).
Evidence: quote from the text (MLA citation).

Travel Ban
The travel ban is an abuse of government power because (reason)
Evidence: quote from the text (MLA citation).

The travel ban is not an abuse of power because (reason).
Evidence: quote from the text (MLA citation).

Catcalling
Catcalling is an abuse of power because (reason).
Evidence: quote from the text (MLA citation).

Catcalling is not an abuse of power because (reason).
Evidence: quote from the text (MLA citation).