Analyzing an Audio Essay
Each group will be assigned a different audio essay to analyze. First, listen to the essay. Then, discuss the following aspects of the essay:

Qualities not specific to audio form
How is the essay structured and organized? For example, is there a clear introduction? If so, where would you say the introduction ends and the body begins? How is the body arranged? For instance, does it move from example to example, does it include dialog, is there a chronology?

What does the author believe?

What type of evidence is provided to support the author's belief?

How does the author connect with the listener (for example, now does he/she establish common ground or anticipate and address audience concerns)?

Qualities specific to audio form

How would you describe the voice quality (distance, inflection, specific intonations to indicate meaning, etc.)? How does the voice quality affect how you understand the audio essay?

How would you describe the voice pacing (rate, variation, use of pauses, etc.)? How does the voice pacing affect how you understand the audio essay?

How would you describe the tone? How does the tone affect how you understand the audio essay?