Phase II – Annotation, Outline and Critical Analysis

● In Phase II, students are going to write a critical analysis of the chosen articles after
annotating them.
● Students are supposed to keep the following things in mind as they are annotating the
article to identify author’s bias:

1. Highlight the words through which the author creates a bias. Words have positive,
negative and neutral associations, even if they are not being used to describe. Pay
attention to the connotations of words.

2. Analyze and highlight the phrasing used to describe events. Make side notes about the
tone of the author and also how he uses the language. For example, the author is being
sarcastic here. Do they use many metaphors, or lay out facts without opinion?

3. Ask yourself how the information is presented. What order do you receive information in
(specific to general or general to specific)? How is the author trying to persuade you, if
they are?

4. Read the latent text. What information is not present? What has been ignored or
omitted? This will tell you the author’s intention and help to clue you into tone.

5. Consider how you feel when reading. What emotions come naturally to you? Do you get
angry, sad or joyous? Do you feel that the author’s trying to persuade you?

6. Look for loaded words – words that are charged with emotion (whether positive or
negative) can reveal an author’s opinion about his/her topic.

7. Watch out for stereotypes – if the author labels an entire group, the writing is probably
biased.

8. Notice vague language or generalizations – if the author isn’t using specific language,
this could be an indicator of bias.

9. Be on the lookout for one-sided arguments – if the author only presents one side of an
argument, his/her writing is probably biased.

● After annotating the articles, students will make an outline of all the points that they will
cover in their analysis. The outline must follow the format taught in the class. They will
follow the outline format which was used for the essay writing.
● After making the outline, students will write a critical analysis of six paragraphs.
1. 1st Paragraph: (Main ideas about the articles + Thesis Statement)

2. 2nd – 5th Paragraph: Findings /Supporting Details/Your own Opinions/Evidence

from Articles

3. 6th Paragraph: Conclusion (Restate the thesis + Recommendations)

● The analysis must be of 800-850 words.

● Students must write the analysis in their own words. In case of copy/paste you will be
given F grade.
● Students must submit both the hard and soft copies of their critical analysis.
● The annotated articles must be submitted along with the critical analysis.
● Students will present the critical analysis of the articles in the lab in Week 14. They will
submit the articles in the same week. There should be an equal division of content
between students. Students will be marked there and then.

● Each student must present for 3 mins. In total, the presentation should be 6 mins long.
Slides are optional.

● Late submissions will not be considered.