1. Within the text of the speech, number the paragraphs. As a general rule, always number the first paragraph--whether it is indented or not--then number each indented paragraph throughout the speech.
2. Read the speech once to get a general sense of the main argument and the blocks of text related to that argument.
3. Divide the speech into introduction, body, and conclusion (presuming these parts are appropriate). Use paragraph numbers to express extent of each speech part.
4. Examine the speech introduction to discover what functions it performs. You know the likely functions from the lecture on arrangement.
5. Examine the speech body to see what argument is being presented. You should produce an argument layout for the argument. Refer to the Toulmin lecture and subsequent argumentative analyses for help if needed.
6. Examine the conclusion to discover what functions it performs. Again the likely functions are discussed in the lecture on arrangment.
7. Within the introduction, body, and conclusion of the speech, note passages where a stylistic strategy is at stake. Among these strategies, correctly identify at least five and explain what function is being performed by the strategy (e.g. "this passage is in clear style, because the speaker needs to inform the audience members of facts to which they have not had access").
8. You are now ready to begin writing. Frame your essay with its own introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction explain the speech situation and possibly describe the problems faced by the speaker. Then preview your analysis. In the body or your essay, offer your analysis of the speech. At the beginning of your analysis, you should state the extent of the speech parts (that is, the speech introduction, body, and conclusion) using paragraph numbers. Then you should proceed, discussing how the functions of the speech parts are performed by the substance and style of the speech. When you have finished this analysis, provide a conclusion to your essay--this should at least summarize your analysis of the speech. If you like, you may offer a brief evaluation of how well the speech served as a strategy to solve the speaker's problems in the situation.
9. Be sure that your essay follows MLA style and is expressed clearly, appropriately, and with mechanical correctness. (See the course syllabus under Essays for more discussion of these matters.) A sample essay is on line for your consultation.
Your essay will be evaluated using a template. Upon the template will be a Toulmin layout of the argument in the speech and a quantitative analysis of the speech. The template will also provide for evaluation of five elements of your essay.
a. Your analysis of the argument in the speech (5 points possible)--You will receive points to the degree to which your essay accounts for elements and structure of the argument in the speech. Your account of the argument will be compared with the Toulmin layout of the speech argument on the evaluation template.
b. Your analysis of the arrangement in the speech (3 points possible)--You will receive points to the degree to which your essay accounts for the quantitative parts and sub-parts of the speech. Your account of the quantitative parts and sub-parts of the speech will be compared with the quantitative analysis of the speech on the evaluation template.
c. Your analysis of the style in the speech (5 points possible)--You will receive one point for each stylistic phenomenon that you correctly identify and explain as a strategy of the speaker to achieve an objective in the speech. Obviously, you should analyze at least (and perhaps more than) five stylistic phenomena in the speech.
d. The organization of your essay (two points possible)--You will receive points to the degree that your essay exhibits an introduction, body, and conclusion and otherwise exhibits an intelligible order within these parts.
e. The expression of your essay (two points possible)--You will receive points to the degree that your essay (i) expresses your ideas clearly, appropriately, and with mechanical correctness and (ii) follows the directions on format and documentation provided by the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.