The death of expertise by Tom Nichols

Paper details
To use correct MLA format for the paper and the documentation.
To understand and use appropriate word choices and the conventions of academic writing.
To incorporate two database sources as well as Terms of Service for your research paper if you wish. Since
this book came out in 2017, most sources will be book reviews.
To form a thesis that analyzes how Nichols argues his claim, specifically analyzing his use of ethos, pathos,
logos, and kairos in addition to his acknowledgement of the counterargument to add to his credibility.
ASSIGNMENT:
Prepare a paper with a BODY of 1250+ words (not counting the heading, header, works cited) that
analyzes how Nichols presents his argument to his audience.
What is Nichols’ claim? You can discuss his overarching claim throughout the entire book or focus on one
of his many specific claims.
Analyze how he presents his argument, evaluating to what degree of success he employs ethos, pathos,
logos, and—if you really want to shoot for the moon—kairos.
Use specific examples (correctly-documented quotations and paraphrases) from the text to show how
Nichols utilizes each of these emotional appeals to propel his claim. Analyze what impact these appealshave on convincing the reader to seriously consider Nichols’ claim.
Analyze how Nichols acknowledges and refutes the opposition through a counterclaim to increase the
effectiveness of his argument. Analyze what impact his approach has on convincing the reader to seriously
consider Nichols’ claim. A quotation from the text will be necessary here.
You must incorporate two outside sources (most likely book reviews) that critique the value or merit or
message of Nichols’ argument and research. It is important that you weave these quotations where they fit
most logically into your analysis and explain their significance—how they contribute to your analysis.
Quotations must be properly documented and, for credibility purposes, lead into these quotations by
sharing who the speaker/writer is and his/her credentials. Integrate your supporting quotes.
Include a Works Cited page to document your three Use the MLA 8th edition as a guide.
Do not use first or second person in this essay—at the college level one should never use (I, we, you, us,
our, your, etc.) these in a formal essay.
RESEARCH REQUIREMENT:
You are required to use two sources in addition to Terms of Service for this paper. One of the sources
should come from a library database, and the other may come from a database or an online review from a
general Internet search. These sources should review and analyze Nichols’ work and evaluate some
element of his research methods, reasoning, and/or evidence. Since the book is so current, most sources
will be book reviews, so pay attention to the reliability of the source. There is no need for any research on
the issues themselves at this time—just what other sources say about Nichols’ approach to his research
and argument/message.
TEXTBOOK RESOURCES:
Everything’s an Argument chapters 2 (Pathos), 3 (Ethos), 4 (Logos), 20 (Using Sources), 21 (Plagiarism
and Academic Integrity), 22 (Documenting Sources)
Who Says? chapters 7 (Yours, Mine, or Ours? Integrating Resources) and 9 (What’s Appropriate? Citing
Sources and Citation Formats)
Little Seagull W-11 (Literary Analyses) and R-1 – R-4 (Research)
PAPER FORMAT–MLA format is a requirement:
Your paper must have the following parts per MLA:
Name block (left corner, double-spaced)
Header with last name and page numbering in the upper right corner
Centered title of paper
Double-spaced text, Times New Roman, 12 pt Font
Works Cited in correct form with a properly inserted hanging indent. You MUST have three sources: the
book and two reviews.
In-line citations with correct punctuation (quotation marks, parentheses, placement of punctuation) for
documenting sources used.
If you fail to follow MLA format, you will earn an immediate 0 and you will be required to revise and resubmit.
STRUCTURE:
Introduction—provide a brief summarizing context that names the work and author, identifies the chapter(s)
you are addressing, raises the key interpretive issue for your paper, and ends in a thesis.
Body Paragraphs—Your thesis should guide your body paragraphs as you discuss Nichols’claims and
evidence. You must incorporate short quotations from both Terms of Service and the two review sources.
Remember the three traits of strong paragraphs:
Unity—a single idea, guided by a strong topic sentence. No straying.Coherence—logical connections between the ideas built on effective sequencing of information and use of
connectives: transitional words, correctly used pronouns, effective repetition, and parallelism of structures.
Development—adequate and effective support, including your own reasoning and quotations from source
materials.
Conclusion—Revisit your analysis overall, but do not just repeat the introduction. You may offer
suggestions for improving the weaknesses or provide further insight into the value of the work. A textual
analysis affords the writer the opportunity to comment on the value and effectiveness of the author’s
contribution to an audience’s thinking.
REMEMBER:
Integrate your quotes into your sentences for support. At the college level ALL quotes should be integrated.
Your essay should contain 10% quotes for adequate outside support and documentation but no more than
15%.
NEVER use first or second person in a formal essay–there are always stronger nouns. Using I, me, we, us,
our, you, etc. will earn an immediate grade of a 0 and revision will be required.