What is the writer’s claim or thesis? Ask yourself:
What claim is asserted?
What evidence is imagined?
What assumptions are being made – are they acceptable?
Are important terms satisfactorily defined?
What support (evidence) is offered ion behalf of the claim? Ask yourself:
Are the examples relevant and convincing?
Are the statistics (if any) relevant, accurate, and complete? Do they allow only the interpretation that is offered in the argument? [Logos]
If authorities are cited, are they indeed authorities on this topic, and can they be considered impartial? [Ethos]
Is the logic – deductive and inductive – valid? [Logos]
If there is an appeal to emotion (e.g., if satire is used to ridicule the opposing view), is this appeal acceptable? [Pathos]
Does the writer seem to be fair? Ask yourself:
Are counterarguments adequately considered?
Is there any evidence of dishonesty or of a discreditable attempt to manipulate the reader?
How dos the writer establish the image of himself or herself that readers sense in the essay? What is the writer’s tone, and is it appropriate?