Assertion/Evidence/Commentary (AEC)
Analysis/Response Writing
The Assertion/Evidence/Commentary essay is one of many great ways to organize a written argument. The best way to visualize the AEC essay is to think of a triangle. The commentary (analysis) of your argument is the most important part of your paper, but it cannot stand alone and needs both assertion and evidence to support it.
How it works:
If writing multiple paragraphs, include at least 2-3 pieces of evidence with commentary for each piece. (Think: A E C E C) Be sure to add transitions to link the evidence to the commentary, and include a conclusion to the piece.
Analysis/Response Writing
The Assertion/Evidence/Commentary essay is one of many great ways to organize a written argument. The best way to visualize the AEC essay is to think of a triangle. The commentary (analysis) of your argument is the most important part of your paper, but it cannot stand alone and needs both assertion and evidence to support it.
How it works:
- Make an assertion based on your prompt
- Provide the evidence to support the assertion (include parenthetical citation if available)
- Explain your evidence with commentary, an analysis that proves your initial assertion.
If writing multiple paragraphs, include at least 2-3 pieces of evidence with commentary for each piece. (Think: A E C E C) Be sure to add transitions to link the evidence to the commentary, and include a conclusion to the piece.
Example:
The following is an example paragraph-length AEC on the characterization of Jerry in the short story "Through the Tunnel": Example:
The following is an example of a multiple-paragraph AEC on the topic of global warming: Global warming is a significant problem for the United States. The consequences of improper fuel usage and pollution will result in implications for our society. (ASSERTION) According to Bill Smith, nearly “12 million tons of pollutants are expelled into the atmosphere every day” (234). What makes this disturbing is that, of these millions of tons of pollutants, almost “two-thirds of them become trapped in the upper atmosphere, effectively warming the air around the planet (235). Sarah Stanly adds to this when she argues that “these pollutants by themselves have caused our planet’s temperature to increase by nearly 1 degree Celsius over the past 10 years” (34). (EVIDENCE) Based on this evidence, it is clear to see our planet is in trouble. (Transition) What makes these statistics troubling are the fact that mankind is on the brink of total ecological disaster. Without significant change to our use of fossil fuels and our treatment of emissions, our country and even the entire globe could face serious economic, political, and environmental consequences. The burning of fossil fuels in the form of petroleum and coal has harmed our atmosphere by releasing toxic chemicals into the air and increasing the overall temperature of the planet. This has both harmful long-term and short-term consequences for our country and the people who inhabit it. This pollution is harmful in the short term by hurting the general health of those who breathe polluted air. More troubling by far however are the long-term harms of continual pollution: rising temperatures, failed crops, decreased rainfall, and social unrest caused by an increased struggle over the planet’s natural resources. (COMMENTARY) It is clear that the United States must take this threat seriously if it hopes to overcome these potentially devastating problems. (Conclusion) |