Side Trip Assignment 2A - Summary/Analysis Essay (Estimated Completion Time: 2 - 4 Hours)

What is the assignment?	Your assignment is to write a 2 - 3 page essay that summarizes the main ideas contained on a Web site and analyzes the Web site's overall credibility. NOTE: For this assignment, please use one of the two Web sites you used for Assignment 3C. To summarize your Web site, report the author's main ideas contained on the site. (Review Side Trip Assignment 1A for suggestions on how to summarize.) To analyze the credibility of your Web site, closely examine various aspects of the Web site to conclude whether the ideas and information contained there are reliable, accurate, or in some way "worthy" of being incorporated into your research paper. For example, you may analyze any (but not necessarily all) of the following components--each of which will represent a separate paragraph in your essay: the Web site author's background and biases the Web site "publisher's" background and biases the Web site author's skill at developing ideas the Web site author's use of evidence the Web site author's writing style any other aspect of the Web site that may help you to determine its credibility, such as graphics, sound, animation, layout, links, etc. After examining each of the component parts, conclude whether or not this source is credible. Include a Works Cited page as the last page of your report. NOTE: This will be the same Works page you submitted for Assignment 3C, plus any corrections suggested in Kenn's feedback.
How do I submit this assignment?	Submit Side Trip Assignment 2A to Kenn via e-mail, as an attachment (see "Submitting/Reading an Attachment" for instructions on how to submit assignments via e-mail). Use MLA paper format for your submission (standard margins, header, etc.) and give your report a title that reflects your purpose in writing (for example, Summary/Analysis of Mt. Everest Home Page.
When is it due?	See the "Calendar" for the due date.
Example of summary/analysis essay (final version)	"Summary/Analysis of 'Language Policy'--Final Version," by Emma Payan
How do I structure my summary/analysis essay?	The following format is recommended for your essay: Introduction Paragraph Clearly state the name of the Web site you are analyzing, including the author's name(s) (if known), the title of the Web site, and the name of the Web site publisher. For our purposes, the "publisher" is considered to be the host institution or organization associated with the Web site. Also, in the introduction, clearly state your conclusion about the Web site's credibility. For example, "This Web site is credible . . . This Web site is not credible . . . This Web site is somewhat credible, etc." (You probably can not write this paragraph until AFTER you have conducted and written the rest of your analysis.) Summary Paragraph Summarize the main ideas found on the Web site (author's thesis and main points). Paragraph Analyzing the Author's Background and Biases (If Applicable) Research any of the following aspects of the Web site author's background and biases AND CONSIDER HOW THEY AFFECT THE WEB SITE'S OVERALL CREDIBILITY! the author's educational background (if applicable) the author's professional and educational affiliations (if applicable) the author's corporate affiliations (if applicable) the author's religious and political affiliations (if applicable) any other aspect of the author's background (if applicable) Paragraph Analyzing the Publisher's Background and Biases (If Applicable) Research any of the following aspects of the Web site "publisher's" background and biases AND CONSIDER HOW THEY AFFECT THE WEB SITE'S OVERALL CREDIBILITY! the publisher's professional and educational affiliations (if applicable) the publisher's corporate affiliations (if applicable) the publisher's religious and political affiliations (if applicable) the publisher's geographical affiliations (if applicable) the publisher's area of specialization (what does the publisher publish?) Paragraph Analyzing the Author's Development of Ideas (If Applicable) Consider how the author's way of developing, organizing, or structuring the main ideas affects the credibility of the Web site. Paragraph Analyzing the Author's Use of Evidence (If Applicable) Consider the supporting information used by the author: Is it current? Is it from reliable sources? Is it firsthand or reported information? Is it documented? Is there enough of it to support the main ideas? Is it logically presented? Consider how any of these features strengthens or weakens the credibility of the Web site. Paragraph Analyzing the Author's Writing Style (If Applicable) Consider how the author's use of paragraph structure, sentence structure, grammar, word usage, punctuation, even spelling may strengthen or weaken the credibility of the Web site. Paragraph Analyzing Any Other Aspect of the Web Site (If Applicable) Consider how any other aspect of the Web site (graphics, sound, animation, layout, links, etc.) affects the Web site's overall credibility. Paragraph Concluding Your Analysis Review your conclusions about the Web site's credibility from each of your earlier paragraphs. Based on these conclusions, state whether you think the Web site overall is credible, not credible, or somewhat credible, and why.
Any final suggestions?	Read the "Scoring Criteria" and "Helpful Hints" before submitting this assignment.

Any questions or comments for Kenn?

Where do I go next? Congratulations! You have completed the loop of Side Trip 2. After submitting Side Trip Assignment 2A, return to the Main Journey by proceeding to "Phase 4."