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Defining Your Purpose, Thesis, and Audience

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4.1 Defining the purpose of an assignment

4.1 Defining the purpose of an assignment

Below are three assignments taken from course textbooks in composition and rhetoric. For each of these assignments, list the key verbs and verb phrases that help you to identify the central purpose of the assigment. Use the list in the Handbook (page 56) to guide you, and be sure to note other key verbs not on that list. Be aware that some key words may in fact be implied as well as stated directly in the wording of these assignment prompts.

This activity contains 3 questions.

	The medical community is now calling for a War on Fat, reminiscent of the War on Tobacco. Adopting strategies for anti-smoking campaigns, activists have considered suing companies for creating unhealthy, “addictive” products. They have also discussed taxing junk food both to make it less affordable and to create funds for combating obesity. Compare and contrast these two “wars.” Draw on readings in this chapter to develop your essay. At some point in your writing, you may want to consider the roles of individual choice and willpower in eating and in smoking.   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

	Art historian John Berger argues that advertising “proposes to each of us that we transform ourselves, or our lives, by buying something more.” Choose any one of the ads presented in this chapter and write a brief essay in which you explain how the ad proposes to transform us with the purchase of the product being advertised. Be sure to pay attention to both the ad’s image and the ad copy (the words in the ad) for your analysis.   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

	In this chapter from his book, Friedman analyzes the conflict between preserving traditional values and local customs and adapting to the changing economy. Imagine that this chapter appeared as an essay in a journal about world affairs. Write a review of Friedman’s analysis. Consider not only your personal experience but also what other writers in this unit have added to the conversation about adapting to changing workplace expectations. As is expected in reviews, explore how successful Friedman is at making his points. Consider also how he supports his conclusions and the effectiveness of his writing style.   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

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