PACES (Project, Argument, Claims,

Evidence, Strategies)

A  REVIEW    Inspired  by:  RWS  (see  next  page)  

 

THE PROJECT •  an  author’s  “project”  is  the  main  goal  of  the  author  in  wriBng  the  text  as  well  as  the  overall  acBvity  that  the  writer  is  engaged  in  as  s/he  works  to  construct  the  argument.    Therefore,  we  want  to  know  what’s  an  author’s  larger  mo/va/on  for  wri/ng,  why  is  s/he  mo/vated  to  write,  and  how  does  s/he  accomplish  his/her  goal  in  wri/ng  the  text.    

DIVIDING THE PROJECT IN TWO PARTS

1.  explaining  the  main  moBvaBon  and  reason  of  the  author  in  wriBng  the  text  

2.  describing  the  main  method  the  author  goes  about  to  achieve  that  goal  

 

A FORMAT YOU CAN USE

•  [Author]  [VERB]  [WHAT  &  WHY]  by  [HOW].  

*EXAMPLE  Peterson  inves+gates  the  causes  of  smoking  to  illustrate  the  effects  adver+sing  has  on  this  phenomenon  by  providing  interviews  and  anecdotes  of  smokers  diagnosed  with  lung  cancer  

“WAR AND WISDOM” and its project

•  WHAT?  (what  is  the  author’s  moBvaBon?)  

•  WHY?  (why  is  he  moBvated  to  write?)  •  HOW?  (how  does  he  accomplish  her  goal  in  wriBng  text)  

*Consider  with  the  author’s  name  and  a  verb  like  challenges,  examines,  quesBons,  invesBgates,  rebuts,  illustrates,  demonstrates  

THE ARGUMENT •  In  contrast  to  the  “project”  (showing  the  purpose  and  overall  strategy  of  an  author),  the  “argument”  in  an  argumentaBve  text  is  the  main  point,  asserBon  and/or  conclusion  advanced  by  an  author.    Arguments  are  designed  to  persuade  an  audience  or  bring  about  some  change  in  view/aZtude/acBon.    

MORE ABOUT THE ARGUMENT •  Through  their  arguments,  authors  o[en  take  a  posi/on  (arguing  for  readers  to  take  a  stand  and/or  choose  the  author’s  side)  or  propose  something  (arguing  that  change  is  need,  that  there  is  a  problem/soluBon,  and/or  that  acBon  should  take  place).    

•  This  an  idenBfiable  main  claim  usually  occurs  near  the  start  or  end  of  the  text,  but  can  occur  anywhere  or  not  explicitly  anywhere  at  all.    Therefore,  an  argument  is  either  explicit  (obvious  or  clearly  stated)  or  implicit  (less  obvious  or  must  be  inferred  by  the  reader).    

AND A LITTLE MORE •  Describing  the  main  argument  is  NOT  the  same  as  describing  what  a  text  is  “about.”    –  According  to  [AUTHOR],  [PERSON,  GROUP,  THING,  ETC.]  should  [WHAT].  S/he  reasons  that  [WHAT]  

•  EXAMPLE  – According  to  Peterson,  government  officials  and  society  in  general  should  be  aware  of  media  influences  when  smokers  are  coping  with  addic+on  and  when  officials  are  crea+ng  censorship  laws.    He  reasons  that  cri+cal  awareness  of  such  influences  is  crucial  to  successful  regula+on  of  tobacco  companies  according  to  his  numerous  interviews  with  addicts.            

FIND THE ARGUMENT IN “WAR AND WISDOM”

TYPES OF CLAIMS •  Claims  of  fact  or  cause  are  statements  made  by  an  author  that  assert  something  is  true,  false,  likely  or  not  likely  according  to  science,  logic,  probability,  or  causaBon.  –  Research  shows  that  second  hand  smoke  is  detrimental  to  your  health.  

–  Smokers  with  cancer  likely  regret  ever  star+ng  to  smoke.  

–  Chances  are  the  new  taxes  on  smoking  will  inspire  more  people  to  quit.  

   

CLAIMS OF VALUE •  Claims  of  value  are  statements  made  by  an  author  that  assert  something  is  wrong  or  right,  good  or  bad  according  to  moral  beliefs,  ethics,  or  opinion.    –  Buying  cigareKes  for  underage  teens  is  absolutely  wrong.  

–  It  is  good  manners  to  smoke  outside  and  away  from  children.  

–  Smoking  is  a  worse  habit  than  lying.    •     

CLAIMS OF POLICY

•  Claims  of  policy  are  statements  made  by  an  author  that  assert  something  should  or  should  not  be  done  according  to  future/current  law  or  the  well-­‐being  of  a  person.  – Nevada  should  adopt  a  law  making  it  illegal  to  smoke  indoors.  

– Smokers  should  find  a  way  to  get  their  addic+on  to  subside  

THE CLAIMS IN YOUR PAPER?